148 [3n\y. 



venter of each abdominal segment, and some similar setae on the frons and on 

 the median area of the thoracic segments. Length of fully mature female 

 2-5 to 3 mm. Breadth (under compression) 1 to l"7o mm. 



Ovisac white, densely felted, moderately '^'convex when placed in an 

 exposed situation, but usually depressed or flattened owing to its position 

 amongst the crowded stalks at the base of the plant. Dimensions very variable, 

 ranging from 25 by 1, to 4 by r5 mm. 



On Olyceria maritima ; Blakeney Point, Norfolk. 



The insects occur at the base of the grass stems, sheltered beneath 

 the leaf-slieaths. Their presence is made noticeable by a deposit of 

 white pulverulent secretion. When first observed — in the month of 

 July — before the formation of the ovisac, the insect was mistaken for 

 a species of Rhizococcus ; but examination of further material, in 

 September, proved its correct position to be in the genus Eriococcus. 

 The insect is practically of a subterranean habit, occurring more commonly 

 below the surface of the sand in which the grass grows. The stems of 

 the grass spring from underground rhizomes. 



The species is well characterized by the limitation of the spines to 

 the margins of the posterior segments only. Moreover, it is the only 

 British species in which the spines are truncately c^^lindrical. 



Eriococcus jylacidus, nov. (Fig. 2.) 



Adult female long-ovate; anal lobes relatively small, but prominent, 

 weakly chitinized. Antenna (a) 7-jointed, stout; 3rd and 4th longest, 

 approximately equal. Eyes well defined. Legs relatively large ; tarsus as long 

 as or slightly longer than tibiae (e) ; claw (/) long, a minute denticle near the 

 tip, on the inner edge; two unusually long and slender setae on inner edge of 

 tarsus ; apical spines on inner extremity of tibia unusually long ; ungual and 

 tarsal digitules long and slender, the former simple, the latter minutely knobbed 

 at apex. Anal ring with 8 setae. Caudal setae long and stout. Dermal 

 spines very few, confined to the frontal area and the anal lobes ; three or four 

 only on the frons (c), very slender and acutely pointed; three on each of the 

 anal lobes (d), of which two, on the inner margin, are longer and stouter, 

 while the third, on the dorsal face, is minute ; no spines on any other part of 

 the body, which is, however, sparsely beset with longer and shorter setae. 

 Dermal pores numerous, of several distinct forms (b) — viz., trilocular pores 

 (few), quinque-locular pores (numerous), large ring-shaped pores (numerous), 

 and tubular pores with expanded rims (few). 



Length 2'5 to 3 mm.; breadth 1 to l'2o mm. 



Ovisac large and conspicuous, strongly convex, of a greyish-ochreous 

 colour; the outer covering loose and woolly, the inner parts unusually tougli. 

 They might be mistaken for small examples of the ovisacs o1 Eriopeltis festucae, 

 in which the covering had become matted by exposure to weather. 



Length 3o to 4'o mm. ; breadth 2 to 2"2.5 mm. 



