240 Transactions. — Zoology . 



which exhibits anything like the excessive development of the 

 posterior feet* — that is Opisthoscelis gracilis, Schrader, one of 

 the Brachyscelid group. But I cannot put S. inflates among 

 the Brachyscclidce. Moreover, after examination of several 

 specimens of 0. gracilis, I am by no means quite sure that the 

 very long and slender organs noticeable in that insect are 

 really feet ; they are very peculiar and abnormal. However, 

 I cannot discuss that question until my friend Mr. Olliff has 

 published his observations on the Brachyscelida. Mean- 

 while, S. inflatipcs is certainly a strange and abnormal 

 insect. 



Genus Cylindrococcus, Maskell. N.Z. Trans., vol. xxiv., 



1891, p. 41. 



Cylindrococcus amplior, sp. nov. N.Z. Trans., vol. xxiv., 

 1891, p. 44. 



Last year, having only a photograph of some galls on a 

 twig, I could not decide upon their specific position, even if (as 

 I thought probable) they belonged to Coccids at all. Since 

 then Mr. Tepper has been kind enough to send me more 

 specimens, and I have ascertained clearly that they contain 

 Cylindrococcus. Examination of the enclosed females shows 

 that they are very closely allied to C. casuarina, Mask. In- 

 deed, I cannot positively point to any feature of the insect 

 itself by which it may be definitely separated from that species ; 

 and it is equally difficult to differentiate the larva. Still, the 

 form of the gall, which is evidently intermediate between that 

 of C. casuarina and that of C. spiniferw, may be sufficient 

 excuse for my venturing to consider the species as distinct. I 

 am confirmed in this view by some remarks of Professor Biley, 

 who, in "Insect Life," vol. iv., p. 377, says, "A hundred 

 larvae of Braconidce, indistinguishable from one another 

 structurally, will construct a hundred distinctive cocoons, 

 each characteristic of its own species." If the cocoon of a 

 Hymenopter is considered sufficient for specific separation, the 

 gall of a Coccid may have equal importance. But I should not 

 like to extend this proposition very far ; exceptionally it may 

 pass, but all through my Coccid studies, from 1876 till now 

 (whatever may be their value), I have laid stress (as regards 

 species) chiefly on the organic characters of the insects them- 

 selves, and only secondarily on the nature of their coverings 

 and excretions. 



Hob. In Australia, on Casuarina quadrivalvis. Specimens 

 from Mr. Tepper. 



* I do not here take notice of Capulinia sallci, Sign. , as only the larval 

 stage of that species has been described. 



