CHARLES \V. METZ. 125 



Stout, wings, with the basal lobe larger than the apical por- 

 tion, and the latter with long, narrow apices, and basal lobes 

 extending backward, rather than at right angles to the re- 

 mainder. All such forms as are shown in figures (69 to 72), 

 under modeshcs and episcopalis are represented in the series 

 of dissections I have made of modestus alone. No connec- 

 tion can be made, however, between the shape of these plates 

 and the shape of the face marks, for specimens agreeing in 

 face marks may have all the various forms of ventral plates, 

 or vice versa. Likewise there is no connection between the 

 shape of these and the range of the specimen, any more 

 than with the markings. Nothing whatever can be distin- 

 guished to connect any of the variously modified specimens 

 into groups that can be said to have any reliable diagnostic 

 characters to warrant specific separation, or even good varie- 

 tal separation. It is necessary, however, that some sort of 

 division be made to distinguish as far as possible the two or 

 three most extreme modifications, and I have indicated these 

 as varieties, altho it is very doubtful whether they should be 

 called more than forms. 



The characters of the female are even more variable than 

 those of the male. The above description is of a typical 

 Indiana specimen, but does not by any means hold true for 

 all. The face marks are usually larger than those illustrated, 

 covering the entire lateral areas, or at least all below the 

 base of the supraclypeal area. In some specimens, however, 

 the marks are much more reduced than those figured, being 

 mere irregular strips. Only very seldom do the marks be- 

 come so prominent as to include any of the clypeus, altho in 

 an occasional specimen spots will be found on it. In thoracic 

 markings and puncturation the same variations occur as in 

 the males. And as in the males also, there is no regularity, 

 or uniformity in the variations, so that no distinct division 

 can be made. There are over 125 specimens in my material, 

 from all parts of the range given above, and yet it is impos- 

 sible to separate this series into any definite groups that can 

 be of use. 



TRANS. AM. ENT. SOC. , XXXVII. (16*) 



