298 
Psyche 
[December 
it, does not show the same family traits and is consequently included 
in the Order Megasecoptera, but without family assignment (incertae 
familiae). 
Order Megasecoptera 
Incertae Familiae 
Lameereites curvipennis Handlirsch 
Handlirsch, 1911, Amer. Journ. Sci., 31: 375, fig- 59, 60. 
Handlirsch, quite correctly, made no attempt to designate the 
generic or specific characteristics of this insect. As known to him, 
the specimen consisted of four nymphal wing pads; however, these 
are not just “wing cases”, as he termed them, but complete wing 
pads. The application of glycerin or alcohol to the specimen brings 
out clearly the developing wing within the outer, cuticular case. 
Handlirsch’s drawing shows that he mistook the outer margin of 
the developing wing for the subcosta. Actually, the venation is clearer 
than his figure would suggest (Plate 25, fig. 1). Sc is distinct and 
can be followed nearly to the wing apex; Ri extends even further; 
MA is forked, CuA is branched and both MP and CuP are un- 
branched ; there appear to be two short anal veins ; MA is remote 
from Rs, at no place approaching close to it. Cross veins, not shown 
in Handlirsch’s drawing, are discernible with careful examination; 
they are irregularly arranged and do not form rows in any part 
of the wing. 
Handlirsch’s figure correctly represents the position of the four 
wings in the nodule: the fore and hind wings on one side are sep- 
arate but on the other side they overlap slightly. As thus arranged 
they appear to extend from the sides of an invisible thorax and to 
spread outward, as Handlirsch noted. The complete absence of the 
thorax in the fossil has obviously introduced some doubt about his 
conclusions regarding the position of the wing pads; at any rate, no 
one seems to have given his conclusions the serious consideration they 
would otherwise have deserved. The new nymphs discussed below 
show that Handlirsch was correct. 
Handlirsch appears to have made no attempt to excavate what- 
ever parts of the insect may have been hidden in the matrix of the 
rock. Actually, when we first examined the type specimen for the 
purposes of this study, we could see enough of the head to justify 
Plate 26. Mischoptera nigra Brongniart, Upper Carboniferous of France; 
photograph of specimen in Laboratoire de Paleontologie, Paris, showing 
antennae, fore legs and thoracic spines. The spines on abdominal tergites 
are not readily seen in this specimen. 
