2 PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM vol. 124 



Material and Methods 



Material. — This study is based upon approximately 2400 pre- 

 served specimens of the subgenus Leptoferonia. Most of the Oregon 

 and California material was collected by the author between 1959 

 and 1965. Specimens were collected by hand from under branches 

 and logs in forested areas. An effort was made to collect as many 

 specimens as possible from areas where subspecies or species meet 

 or overlap. This was often impossible since so much forest had been 

 cut down. All specimens of subgenus Leptqferonia known to me, 

 except for some specimens of P. inanis Horn from Oregon, are included 

 in this study. Approximately 300 specimens from related subgenera 

 also were examined. 



Taxonomic treatment. — Two similar forms were regarded as 

 distinct species if their geographical ranges overlapped and there 

 was no evidence of intergradation in morphological characteristics. 

 In many cases, the ranges of two similar forms are not known to 

 overlap, perhaps because of insufficient collecting. In these cases, 

 the forms were considered to be separate species if the differences 

 between them were indicated by more than two characteristics and 

 not just a matter of degree. Two forms were regarded as conspecific if 

 there were morphologically intermediate specimens in their rela- 

 tively narrow area of contact. They also were regarded as conspecific 

 if no intermediates were known, no specimens were collected from 

 intermediate areas, and the differences between the two were a matter 

 of degree only. The forms or geographical populations of species 

 exhibiting broad clinal variation were discussed but not named. 

 The forms in insufficiently studied species, such as P. inanis Horn, 

 were not named; later they may prove to merit the rank of subspecies. 



Methods. — Examinations and measurements, except body length, 

 were made at X 60. A 10 X Koo ocular micrometer was used in making 

 measurements. Drawings were made using an ocular grid. The ex- 

 ternal morphology of the aedeagus was examined in all males. The 

 aedeagus can be teased out of relaxed specimens with a pin without 

 much danger of breakage. The internal sac of the median lobe of 

 the aedeagus was examined in relatively few specimens. The drawings 

 in figures 1-26 of the everted sac are rough sketches and do not 

 indicate the exact shape or location of the lobes, microtrichiate areas, 

 etc. The aedeagi were treated with warm 10 percent potassium hy- 

 droxide prior to everting the sac. The autopsy sign (!) indicates 

 that the holotype, excluding the internal sac of the aedeagus, was 

 examined. Those types not seen by me in person were examined 

 for me according to a list of characteristics and compared to specimens 

 from my collection. All new holotypes and allotypes have been de- 



