lOG [J""e, 



Sac variable, generally more or less circular, and obtusely rounded, composed of 

 a very brittle white felting ; the largest scarcely exceeding 1 mm. in diameter by 

 I — 1 mm. high, one of them often contains two or more individuals ; it is, therefore, 

 almost impossible to give the exact measurements of a single sac, and all the more, 

 because many are generally packed close together. 



? of the second stage pale red, or yellowish-red, narrowed behind ; segments 

 distinct ; eyes piceous. In this stage it is only partly covered with a thin cottony 

 secretion, the dorsum remaining almost bare. Antennse, legs and ano-genital ring 

 as in the adult 



Hab. : in the cracks and crevices of the bark of the common ash 

 {Fraxinus excelsior). Abundant on three trees at Ince, Cheshire, 

 August, 1890. 



The ano-genital ring with only six hairs, and the nearly obsolete 

 abdominal lobes are abnormal, but I do not think these characters of 

 suiEcient importance to form a new genus. In these characters there 

 are suggestions of the genus Dactylopius, but the forms of the sac 

 and the antennae at once separate it from this genus. Mr. Maskell 

 states (Trans. N. Z. Inst., vol. xvii, p. 29) that E. paUidus, Mask., has 

 "the ano-genital ring small, with eight {sometimes six?) tine, short 

 hairs." I thought it just possible that the normal number might also 

 occur in some of my examples, but a subsequent examination of many 

 specimens proves, I think beyond doubt, that there are only six. It 

 is, therefore, quite distinct from any other described species. 



EXPLANATION OF PLATE II. 

 Lecanium hesperidum, ? , fig. 1, leg. 



„ lauri, ¥ , fig. 2, leg. 

 Orihezia occidentalis, $ , fig. 3, 3a, antenna. 



„ praelonga, ? , fig. 4, 4a, profile, 4b, antenna. 

 Eriococcus insignia, $ , fig. 5, antenna, 5a, leg, 5b, dorsal spiimeret. 



„ fraxini, $ , fig. (5, antenna, '^a, leg, 6b, spinnerets. 

 Dactylopius Walkeri, ? , fig. 7, antenna, fig. 7d, leg. 



Grosvcnor Museum, Chester : 

 January, 1891 . 



Locusts an food. — From two widely different sources we have before us recent 

 details as to the use as food of Acrydium peregrinuin. 



The first is an elaborate official report on the " Locust of North-Western India," 

 by Mr. E. C. Cotes, of the Indian Museum. It is there stated (p. 6) that in certain 

 districts the poor collected and boiled the locusts in salt water, obtaining, in this 

 way, a supply of food both for themselves, and for their horses and camels, which 

 eat the locusts, and are said to tlirive upon them. The " Report" in question teems 

 with information as to the ravages of the insect. 



