422 Transactions of the Society. 



Sub-order III— FORPICULINA. 



This sub-order contains the vast majority of the Dermaptera, 

 that is to say, the true earwigs. They fall into two super-families, 

 one in which the male has two complete penes, the other in which 

 there is only one. 



Table of Super-families. 



1. Apparatus genitalis 6 duplex, penibus 2 in- 

 structus ; (apud Karschidlinas penis unus 

 abortivus) ; penes ab apice proparamerum 

 orientes, quum haud erecti, abdomen versus 

 directi ; proparameres fortes, cbitonisi, car- 

 dine distincto (subfamilia Echinosomati- 

 narum excepta, cardine debili) ; (pygidium 

 $ simplex, telson interdum adest ; opis- 

 tbomeres interdum in squamopygidium haud 

 segmentatum fusi) . . . . .1. Protodermaptera. 



1, 1. Apparatus genitalis 6 simplex, pene unico 

 instructus, a basi proparamerum orienti, 

 semper apicem versus directo ; propara- 

 meres vix chitinosi, cardine rudimentario ; 

 (pygidium 6 ssepius spinis armatumi; 

 telson abest, vel rudimentarius ; opistho- 

 meres semper separati) . . . .2. Eudermaptera. 



Super-family I.— PROTODERMAPTERA. 



The proparameres are distinctly separated from the metapara- 

 meres by a well-marked hinge, except in the Echinosomatina: ; they 

 are chitinized through their length down the external margin, and 

 fork distinctly from their base. The metaparameres offer a remark- 

 able diversity of size and form, affording very valuable characters. 

 Attached to the apex of the proparameres are the preputial sacs, 

 or penes proper, which in the position of rest lie pointed backwards, 

 towards the base of the segment ; in erection they are protruded 

 forwards, and capable of very considerable expansion ; in each sac 

 there is a tube called the virga, an extension of the ejaculatory 

 duct, which offers useful characteis, especially of specific value. 

 In the Diplatyinee they are horseshoe-shaped, and each virga has 

 two vents ; in many Anisolabinx the virga is absent. In the Labi- 

 durinie and kindred subfamilies, the virga is inflated at the base 

 into a reniform vesicle, of delicate texture, showing under high 

 magnification a spiral structure recalling that of the tracheae ; in 

 the Labidurinse the virga has the form of a serpentine tube inside 

 a transparent and parallel-sided sheath. 



