Page:Jardine Naturalist's library Entomology.djvu/337

Rh ACANTHOMERA IMMANIS. XXXV. Fig. 2. represents one of the most gigantic Dipterous insects hitherto discovered, and which appears to be the Acanthomera Immanis of Weidemann, (Auss. Zweifl. Ins. 2. app. p. 623,) although the description of the author is very incomplete, the only specimen which he had seen being in a very mutilated state. The specimen here figured is nearly two inches long and three inches in the expanse of the wings. It is a female, which sex differs from the males in the simple posterior femora, thus shewing the impropriety of the generic name which is derived from the toothed posterior thighs of the males alone, (which only were known to Weidemann when he established the genus.) The minute silvery dots, arranged in curved series on the second, third, and fourth abdominal segments, are very peculiar. The specimen here figured is in the collection of the Entomological Club and was presented by G. S. Bowerbank, Esq. It is from Brazil. We have now completed our proposed review of all the orders of the Ptilota or winged insects. The three last orders indicated in the synoptical table, (page 200) include such genera as Pulex, Lepisma, Pediculus, Ricinus, and a few others of a similar nature, the general history of which forms a somewhat distinct department of the subject, not of very general interest, and which it is no part of our plan to enter into at present.