THE MYCETOPHILID^. 127 



ways in the different species ; the forceps join the poste- 

 rior surface. 



(ii.) The lamimc siiperce are two in number and lanceolate. 

 They cover the summit of the lamina basalis. They are 

 movable, and easily elevated upwards or downwards. 

 There are two plates at the base of the laminre. 



(iii.) The forceps inferior simple, often notched and curved in 

 various ways, and very hairy. This part forms a great 

 specific character. 



(iv.) T\\Q forceps superior formed of three distinct parts : (i) The 

 "trone" (^), which varies a great deal in form. (2) The 

 " lamella " ic), which is generally a triangular plate, the 

 superior border being furnished with spines, which are long 

 and strong. (3) The " membranous lamella " {a). This is 

 wrinkled in various ways and furnished with recumbent, 

 horizontal rows of rods {baguettes), smooth and compact. 

 There is also another lamella present, joined to this, oblong 

 in form and variable in shape, directed towards the 

 interior ; a few hairs present. 



(v.) The appendix interfia, or adminicu/ui/i. This is found to be 



present in the middle of the basal lamella and beneath the 



two laminae superee. They are small structures, and not 



easily found in Mycetids. 



The Ovipositor (Legerohre). This is also composed of five parts : 



'Y\it pars basalis siipera ; \.\\& pars basalis ijifera ; the lamellce ante- 



riores ; the lauielliE posteriores, and the vaginula. (Vide Fig. 25.) 



(i.) Pars basalis siipera (a). This corresponds to the eighth 

 dorsal abdominal segment. It is a simple plate, which is 

 indented on the posterior border in various ways. 



(ii.) The/^rj- basalis infera (e). This corresponds to the eighth 

 ventral abdominal segment. It is also a simple piece, with 

 various indentations in the different species. 



(iii.) The lamellcs afiteriores (b) are movable plates of various 

 shapes, the superior border being edged with a few long 

 hairs, 

 (iv.) The lamelhv posteriores (c) are joined to the lam. ant., and are 

 surmounted on their summit or extremity by short, strong 

 hairs. 



(v.) The vaginula (d). This underlies the ant. and post. lamellae. 



Of course these parts vary, not only in each family, but in each genus 

 and species ; their study is at present in a very unsatisfactory state 



