129 Met 



Mesothoracis scutum. — The scutum of the meso- 

 thorax. (Gr. meso, and L. thorax ; and scutum, 

 a shield.) 



Mesothoracotheca.^ — ^The mesothoracic-case ; that 

 portion of the theca enclosing the mesothorax. 

 (Gr. meso, thorax, and theca, a case.) 



Mesothorax. — The third segment in insects. The 

 middle segment of the thorax. (Gr. meso, and 

 L. thorax.) 



Meta-. — A Greek prefix signifying with, beyond, 

 after, and among. 



Metabolous. — With complete metamorphosis. 

 (Gr. metahole, change.) See Holometabolous. 



Metalae. — The posterior or hind wings, arising from 

 the sides of the meta^^oraa;, one behind each of the 

 forewings (proalo') ; they occasionally j^ossess 

 characters the forewings have not. (Gr. meta, 

 and L. ala, a wing.) 



Metameres. — The typical rings or segments of the 

 insect body. (Gr. meta, and meros, a part.) 



Metameric Sacs. — The osmeteria which the cater- 

 pillars of Orgyia and its allies protrude when 

 aggravated. They are red, eversible tubercles, 

 situated on the sixth and seventh abdominal 

 segments. 



Metamorphosis. — The transformation from the 

 imperfect or larval state to the perfect or imagal 

 state. An alteration in the appearance of an 

 insect, owing to the development of parts 

 previously concealed, by a sudden vernantia. 



