7 
spite of these characters, the absence of opercula, and the fact that neither 
the head nor the limbs [are preserved in our fossil, or its impression, render 
any definite determination impossible. When further specimens are brought 
to light, and not till then, can we expect a more satisfactory conclusion. 
Cicada ? Lowei is the only insect so far known from the Mesozoic 
rocks of New South Wales, and, with the exception of jEschna Jlindersensis, 
and those about to be described, from Australia generally. Its occurrence in 
the geological sequence is of particular interest, from the important part 
played by the family in the existing Insect-fauna of the Continent. 
Cicadidm have been described from the Lias of England and Germany, 
and the Upper Oolite of the former country, but Scudder refers to these in 
very doubtful terms. They are abundant in Tertiary rocks. 
Locality and Horizon. — Southern boundary of Boyce’s Selection, No. 
14, Parish of Bligh, County Bligh. Lower Mesozoic {Measrs. A. Loioe and 
C. Culleyi?) 
Order — DIPTERA. 
Sub-order — ORTHORHAPHA. 
Family— CHIB OHOMIHHl. 
Genus — CHIIIONOMUS, Meigen. 
CniRONOMUS VENERABILIS, Sp. nOV. 
Plate I, Fig. 2. 
Sp. Char. — Antennse small, thread-like ; head rounded ; the eyes 
separated ; thorax rather large, elongate-ovate, more or less projecting 
anteriorly ; wings elongate, slender ; halteres very short ; abdomen elongate, 
about twice the length of the body, moderately robust, composed of eight 
segments; lamellae of ovipositor very small and narrow; legs long and 
slender, the femora a little longer than the tibiae. Length, 4^ mm. 
Ohs. — Although these remains are in a very imperfect state there is 
enough to prove conclusively that they represent a species of Midge belonging 
to the Chironomidae, one of the largest and most widely-distributed families 
of Nematoccrous Diptera, many species of which, like tlic May-flies with whicli 
