126 Journal New York Entomological Society. [Vol. xiv. 



found them somewhat different. I then made a comparative study of 

 the clasps of twenty-five martialis, and found the following to be true : 

 there is considerable variation in the detail of both clasps, the general 

 character however remaining the same ; the right clasp varies to a 

 greater degree than the left ; there is a greater difference between the 

 corresponding clasps of individuals recognized under the common 

 name of martialis than between that of ' ' ausonius ' ' and the usual 

 martialis. Plate III, fig, i, represents the tip of the right clasp of 

 martialis as found in sixteen of the twenty-five examined. The view 

 is taken from the side, a little above, and a little behind. Fig. 2 

 shows the same organ of ausonius from the same position. (These 

 drawings magnified 14^2 times.) 



It will be seen that (to quote from Scudder) " The blade of the 

 right clasp (of 'ausom'us') differs (from that of martialis) in its 

 greater slenderness, and prolongation ; the denticle of the upper edge 

 is larger, and more prickly so that the blade seems to narrow more 

 abruptly beyond it, while the bent apex is more distinctly conical." 

 " And pointed " is added, but I fail to agree with this. Fig. 3 shows 

 the usual sharpness of the apex in martialis and that of the specimen 

 under discussion is hardly different. But are these slight differences 

 of specific value? By no means. Compare figs. 4 and 6, which are 

 drawn from undoubted martialis, with fig. 5, which is ausonius. (The 

 view here is from a little further above than in figs 1 and 2.) Fig. 4 

 is the usual form, fig. 6 an extreme modification. Between these 

 there may be found several intermediate forms. (These figures 

 enlarged 22 times. ) 



The left clasp of ausonius does not differ from the usual left clasp 

 of martialis as represented in figs. 7, 8 and 9. 



Fig. 7 shows the tip of left clasp seen directly from the side (as the 

 genitalia are mounted, enlarged 18 times). 



Fig. 8 is the same seen from in front at an angle of about 45 (18 

 diameters). 



Fig. 9 is the same from directly above (as the genitalia are 

 mounted ; 25 diameters). 



I have been unable to find a specimen with which I can reconcile 

 Scudder's representation of the apex of the left clasp and, if his figure 

 is accurate, it must be looked upon as a departure from the usual 

 pattern. 



Figs. 11 and 12 show the apical half of right and left clasps 

 respectively (after Scudder). 



