Miieviii vittatn. ß3| 



three tufts of liairs, aie normal in this respect. In most of the 

 cases, the fine hairs on the ccpluUothorax of the tufted males were 

 black while the same hairs were white on tlie gray male, but many 

 exceptions were noted. 



P a 1 1 e r n s. 



As pointed out above, the patterns on the abdoniens of the two 

 types of males is essentially the same. Much Variation was noted 

 for both the tufted (Fig. A2, A3 and A4) and gray males. It is 

 a well known fact that the patterns on the abdoniens of spidei'S 

 normally vary within wide limits. so that the variations noted for 

 Maevia vittafa are not significant. 



It is evident from the above description. that the body colors 

 of the two tj^pes of males are not distinct and that, in this cha- 

 racter, the two varieties merge into one another, althoiigh typi- 

 cally, the two are very diiferent. 



In the color and pigmentation of the legs. the tufted and gray 

 males are very diiferent and I have found no form wliich bridged 

 the gap. The coloration of the palps forms another character which 

 wonld separate the two types. But it is the presence of the tufts 

 of hairs in the tufted male and their absence in the gray male 

 which forms the most striking and absolute distinction. 



It is evident, then, that the tufted males and the gray males 

 of Maevia vittata form two varieties which are distinct in the three 

 characteristics given above and that there are no intermediate forms 

 which would bridge the gap between the two. The so called "Inter- 

 mediate Males" are nothing more than verj' dark gray males. 



Practically nothing definite is known about the ratio of the 

 males to females, in nature, in the species Maevia vittata, nor of the 

 ratio of the two varieties of males to each other. The Pkckha_ms 

 (1909j are the only authors who mention the subject. On p. 453, 

 they say: "In Wisconsin, the males (both forms) mature about the 

 middle of June, the females a little later. For this month, they 

 are common, there being about one female for three males, but 

 towards the middle of July their number diminishes." 



In my study on the spermatogenesis of this species, I have 

 given certain cytological evidence which would lead us to suppose 

 that the total number of males would be equal to the total number 



41* 



