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The hinder joint, at a greater distance from the body, virtually consists of a rounded piece (a) capitate towards the outside, and of a prettily hollowed socket (b) formed by the union of the thick ribs of the hind wings, which slides round the head joint when the wings snap back upon the back. The mechanism which causes this turning is, however, of a somewhat complicated nature. The most instrumental part of it is the powerful elastic band (g) which is stretched over from the hinder edge of the mesothorax (R2) towards that of the wings. This membrane is extended by the expansion of the wings, and draws them towards the body as soon as the contraction of the muscles relaxes. This closing band of the wings is assisted by a leverage system consisting of three little chitinous rods (c, d, e), which at its joining presses inwards on the body on one side, and on the hinder edge and head-joint of the wing on the other.

We must, however, lay great stress on a few more kinds of wing support.

Fig. 170.—Mesothoracic skeleton of a stag beetle: schi, scutellum, on each side of which is the articulation of the fore wing (V), consisting of two small styliform processes (v, h) of the base of the wing; za, tooth which fits into the cavity of the wing-lock (gr); l, edge of the right wing, passing into the corresponding groove (fa) of the left; Di, diaphragm for the attachment of the tergal muscle of the metasternum; Di1 (not explained by author); Ka, acetabulum of the coxa (Hü); Se, chitinous process for the attachment of the coxal muscle; Fe, femur; Sch, tibia; B2, sternum.—After Graber.