33 

 Genus LI. PANORPA. 



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GENERIC CHARACTER. 



Antenna filiform, longer than the thorax. Head 

 prolonged into a horny cylindrical snout, or 

 proboscis, bearing the parts of the mouth at 

 the end. Palpi four, nearly equal. Stem-* 

 mata three. Tail, in the male only, with a 

 chela, or claw, at the end. 



General Observations. 



The chief singularity in the conformation of 

 the Panorpa, is to be found in its tail. From 

 the last ring of the abdomen proceed two 

 moveable fangs, which crossing each other at 

 their extremity, form a pair of pincers, not un- 

 like in shape and make to the thick claw of a 

 lobster. The use of this singular appendage 

 is not clearly ascertained. It is not, like the tail 

 of the Scorpion, an offensive weapon ; it con- 

 tains no poison ; and although carried in an 

 upright and threatening position, is not used by 

 the insect to seize its prey. As this apparatus 

 is peculiar to the male, may not its use be con- 



