AT THE MICROSCOPE. 45 



a semi-fossil deposit found in the fens of Lincolnshire, much like 

 that whence the present specimens were obtained. There are 

 here also some valves of Entomostraca. To learn these it would 

 be requisite to study the monograph on this subject, recently pub- 

 lished by the Palaeontological Society, of which Geo. S. Brady and 

 another are the authors. 



Head and Leg of Aphrophora spumaria (PL V., Figs. 3 — 10). 

 — Aphrophora belongs to the Cirpopidce^ and is a good and 

 readily-procured example of that family, one of the generic cha- 

 racters of which consists in the presence of ocelli on the crown of 

 the head ; these, of course, from their position, we cannot see in 

 the example before us. The antennae are three-jointed ; inserted 

 bet7uee7t, not beneath, the eyes ; the last joint looks just like a very 

 fine bristle. The face has a large, swollen, transversely striated 

 piece. The mouth is of that type to which the term " promuscis" 

 is applied ; the lower lip turns upwards at the sides, forming a 

 sheath to the remaining organs. The determination of the true 

 nature of these is not easy, so greatly are they modified ; but I 

 should judge that the two outer, which form a pair, are maxillae ; 

 the two inner, so closely united that they appear to form but one, 

 and apparently superposed, would in that case be labrum and 

 lingua. We must dissect this in the coming season, and see how 

 far such determination is correct. Labial and maxillary palpi are 

 both absent. The dentation of the posterior tibiae forms a valu- 

 able character for the determination of species. Here two strong 

 spurs are present, with a group of the like at the end of this limb 

 and of the two first tarsal joints. I'he tactile hair proceeding 

 from the base of each spur is a noteworthy feature ; its object 

 being to convey impressions to the brain of the nature of the 

 object on which the creature may be at the time, or amongst 

 which it may be moving. In specimens taken shortly before 

 exuviation, the two skins may be well seen, the one within the 

 other ; such form very interesting objects. I have never seen 

 exuviae in the frothy matter, but must look out for them. See Dr. 

 Moore's note, p. 50. 



Antenna of Oak-Eggar Moth, Lasiocampa Quercus (PI. VI., 

 Fig. 11). — The Oak-Eggar belongs to the BombycidcB. A syste- 

 matic display of the antennae from male and female moths in this 

 family would be highly interesting and valuable. The power pos- 

 sessed by the males of finding their mates is most remarkable. 

 Old entomologists tell curious stories of this kind. One narrates 

 to me how that, carrying some female Bombycides by train 

 between Liverpool and Manchester, several males of the species 

 dashed against the windows of the carriage in which he was 



