58 PLATE [ccxv. 
The firft fpecies of Raphidie known, was figured in the works of 
Roefel, Die Fleine Landhaelfige. Lanlibelle fig. 6.7. pl. 21, it was 
defcribed in the Fauna Suecica, by Linnzus, under the fpecific name 
Ophiopfis; and again in the Sy/ema Natura of the fame author, with 
a reference to the only figure of it then extant, that of Roefel. 
Hence it appears that the true Raphidia Ophiopfis of Linnzus, is 
that figured by this author. In later editions, the works of Sulzer, 
Schaffer, Geoffroy and Scopoli, were added to the fynonyms, but 
the figures thus quoted, evidently include two fpecies, one with 
wings perfectly clear, the other having a marginal black fpot on 
each. Linnzus feems to have confidered the two as varieties of the 
fame fpecies, but he is evidently miftaken, for the two fexes of both 
kinds are now clearly afcertained. 
Fabricius has followed Linnzus in his Species InfeCtorum, has 
indifcriminately adopted all the fynonyms, and thereby confounded 
all the figures of the two Raphidz that have been noticed by authors 
on European Infects, under the name of Ophiopfis: and after this 
he defcribes that very fpecies which has fpots on the wings as a 
new and unfigured kind, under the name of nofata. Thorace 
cylindrico alis macula marginali fufca. Habitat in anglia. Had he 
referred to the volumes of Roefel, he muft have known that his 
notata was the Linnean Ophiopfis, and if either Infe@ was new, 
it muft certainly be that deftitute of {pots. 
Gmelin in his Syftema Natura perpetuates the fame error; he 
follows the Species Infe€torum of Fabricius, and gives the characters 
thus: “* R. Ophiopfis alis immaculatis. Fab.” & © R. notata, 
*‘ alis macula marginali fufca. Fab.” but whilft the works of Gmelin 
are preparing for publication, Fabricius alters his opinion ; and in 
the laft work. Sy/. Ent. emendet et aula, abolithes his fpecific cha- 
racters, and merely fays there is no difference between his former 
fpecies * Raphidia notata, nullo modo diftinta.” Fab. Ent. Sy. 
T. 2. p. 99. 
As) | 
