1976] 
Carpenter — Permian Insects 
369 
venational details of the Apheloneuridae that suggest to me their 
close relationship with the Embioptera. It does seem probable, 
though, that the order has ultimately been derived from some 
aberrant protorthopterous stock, and the Apheloneuridae may 
well have been among the early, distant relatives of that stock. 
The fore wings of Apheloneura, in fact, have a venational pat- 
tern much like that of the Permian Probnisidae (Protorthoptera), 
with the branches of RS and M reduced and CUA extending 
nearly to the wing apex. However, the probnisid hind wings are 
typically orthopterous, with a large and expanded anal fan and a 
distinctive venation, unlike that of the fore wings. It is the hind 
wing of the Apheloneuridae that induces me to withold the family 
from the Protorthoptera and to place it in incertae sedis. 
In this connection it should be noted that the Apheloneuridae 
are not the only Permian insects having subequal wings that show 
orthopteroid relationships. The Miomoptera, for example, which 
have a distinctive venational pattern and which are very abun- 
dantly represented in Permian beds, are in this category. There 
are, in fact, many similar insects, about the size of Permembiidae 
and Apheloneuridae occurring in the Permian of Kansas, Okla- 
homa, and the Soviet Union, all of which are apparently orthop- 
teroid but show remarkable diversity of structure. These have 
not yet been formally described, mainly because they are not clearly 
preserved. Until more of these small insects are better known, I 
believe it is advisable to leave the Apheloneuridae, along with the 
Permembiidae and Sheimiidae, in the category of “order un- 
known”. 
4. Family Gelasopteridae, new family 
Insects of moderate size. Fore wing: very long and slender; SC 
ending on costa beyond mid-wing; R1 extending very nearly to 
apex of wing; RS unbranched, M forked beyond mid-wing; CUA 
diverging at its origin towards M and connected to it by a short 
cross vein (or possibly a branch of M); then continuing without 
branches to near the apex; CUP and 1 A unbranched; cross veins 
numerous, mostly straight. Hind wing: about as long as fore wing. 
Body slender, prothorax elongate. 
