938 On the Genealogy of the Insects. [September, 
nent habit characteristic of Neuroptera, all of which have a com- 
plete metamorphosis. Hence this complete metamorphosis has 
been inherited by all the orders of metabolic insects which prob- 
ably originated from Neuroptera-like forms, and the imago repre- 
sents a highly accelerated stage. 
When we consider the imagos or adult Neuroptera, the small 
collar-like prothorax, the spherical, concentrated thorax as 4 
whole, and the cylindrical abdomen, are features which give them 
a comparatively specialized and modern aspect. Without doubt 
Fig. 1. Fig. 2. Fig. 3. . 
d 
G. I.—Ist or Campodea-stage of Mantispa, highly magnified. FIG. 2 
condition, before first moult; magnified. Fic. 3.—Adult Mantispa, with side H 
of the same, the wings removed; nat. size. 
the Neuropterous labium is a secondary product compared wih 
that of the Orthoptera or the Platyptera, where it is deeply dit a 
It will be remembered that in the embryo of all insects the la 
bium or second maxille originates like the first pair. w 
Origin of the Coleoptera. —Although the beetles are a remark- 
bly homogeneous and well circumscribed order, there are a 
larval forms and life-histories which point out with a tol y ie 
degree of certainty the line of development of this en 
order from the Campodea type. There are two series of a 
which seem to us to throw light on the subject. p 
First, the form of the free, active larvæ of the ade oa 
groups of beetles, The larve of the Carabidæ, Dytiscide allied : 
Staphylinidz appear to us to be on the whole ! 
to what was probably the primitive form of © 
