EEPORT ON THE PELAGIC HEMIPTEEA. 35 



curved somewhat downwards and backwards. It is usually stout, but varies in stoutness 

 and shape in different species. The greatest thickness is usually a little above the base, 

 and it is gradually attenuated upwards from about the middle. The anterior edge is 

 nearly straight from the bend at the base to beyond the middle, and thence slightly curved 

 convexly to the apex. The basal half of the posterior edge is either subparallel to the 

 anterior edge or slightly convex, while the apical half is more or less (varying in different 

 species) strongly curved concavely. Near the apex on the posterior edge is a notch, 

 often nearly obsolete, but whose position is then marked in microscopical specimens 

 by a thickening of the integument. The apex itself, which is sometimes very slightly 

 incrassate, presents, when viewed from above (that is, between the anterior and posterior 

 edges), an irregularly oblique outline; nearest the anterior edge it is straight, followed 

 hy a semicircular notch, and thence to the hind margin obliquely concave. The femur 

 is more or less pubescent, the hairs on the lower posterior side being more numerous 

 and longer, especially towards the base. The margin of the apex is fringed with long 

 hairs. In most, if not in all the species, the femur is armed with a series of five or more 

 long black hair-like spines, not quite erect, but pointing down the limb, and inserted a 

 little above the posterior edge. The spines are longest and strongest near the base, and 

 the series is not in all cases continued to the apex. 



The Tibia is usually a little shorter than the femur, and much less stout. For the 

 greater part of its length it is of equal thickness, but the extreme base is narrower, and 

 the apex dilated and bifurcate. The upper branch of the bifurcation is a continuation of 

 the long axis of the tibia, while the lower and posterior branch is subtriangular in outline, 

 the basal side being curved, and the ajjical side slightly angular and at right angles to 

 the anterior branch. The dilated portion varies in size and shape in different species. 

 On the under side the anterior branch is somewhat flattened, and between it and the 

 posterior branch is an oblique furrow. To the apex of the anterior branch, which is 

 obtusely angular, the tarsus is articulated. On the outer side of the apex of the other 

 branch is an oval patch (varying in size and shape in different species) of peculiar hairs. 

 (PL III. figs. 9 and 10). These hairs are very short (in iviillerstorffi about -025 mm., and 

 in sericeus about '024 mm. long), set so close together that they touch each other at the 

 base and for some distance above it, and are gradually narrowed upwards to the rather 

 blunt apex (PI. III. fig. 11). 



The patch is to be found only in the male ; in the female, at the same spot, is a 

 small tuft of short, almost straight hairs, not so closely set together. 



The tibia is more or less pubescent, the pubescence being stronger and thicker on the 

 under side of the dilated portion. The tibia is also armed with a series of spines similar 

 to those of the femur, but less strong, and inserted a little below the posterior edge. 



The Tarsus is two-jointed, and usually a little shorter than the tibia, and rather less 

 stout. 



