286 Annals of tJie South African Museum. 



An interesting series representing one of the good colour varieties 

 to which the larine Nirmi give rise. An excellent example of such 

 variation is N. lincolatus, N. var. atrimarginatus, Kellogg and 

 Chapman, New Mallophaga, pt. iii. p. 75 (1899). The present 

 variety of punctatus is more ornately marked than the type. Its 

 position can best be understood by considering it along with the 

 typical form and N. felix, Giebel (Ins. Epiz. p. 175, 1894), between 

 which it is evidently intermediate. In doing this, while we are 

 completely satisfied that the South African insects merit only varietal 

 rank, we have no desire to express an opinion on the status of 

 N. felix, which Kellogg considers a valid species. We wish only 

 to state the evidence in so far as it is available. 



With regard to the markings : 



(a) N. punctatus of typical $ form shows on the head a moderate 

 spot at the eye, a second, often faint and not infrequently wanting, 

 a short distance in front of the antennae, and a third not far from 

 the clypeal edge. These six with the pair on the occiput (which 

 really shine through from the inserted portion of the prothorax) 

 make up the 8 spots of which Piaget (Les Pediculines, p. 200) 

 speaks. Two pairs of spots on prothorax at anterior and posterior 

 angles respectively. The metathoracic margin is really clear, but 

 there are below 4 spots which shine through. In the abdomen the 

 lateral bands are clear. At their broadest region (at the suture) 

 each is crossed by an elongated spot which does not project inwards 

 beyond the band. 



There is on segments 2-7 a median elongated spot. 



(b) N. punctatus lingulatus. $ . The spots of the head are all 

 invariably present, being very dark and slightly larger than in the 

 preceding. The temples are still uncoloured. The transverse 

 abdominal spots have become narrow bands projecting inwardly far 

 beyond the chitinized lateral band, especially on segments 3-5. The 

 inner end of these transverse black bands is upturned towards the 

 head of the insect. The median elongated spots are more extensive. 



(c) N. felix, G. $. From Kellogg 's figures one sees that the 

 spots of the head are still larger and denser : that in the clypeus the 

 anterior portion of the antennal band is now also darkened ; that 

 the temporal margin is also coloured uniformly and in the same 

 way the metathoracic sides. The transverse abdominal bands are 

 broader, and the lateral bands are partly coloured besides ; while 

 on segments 7-8 the whole lateral band is darkened. 



The under surface (<J) of the three forms may be compared in a 

 sentence. In punctatus there are on each of sternites 4-6 a pair of 



