1916] Near die Species of Paracalocoris 367 



statement regarding the antenna is correct, C. externus does 

 not belong to the genus now under consideration. If incorrect 

 and the species really is a Paracalocoris, it may be closely 

 related to P. scrupeiis var. bidens n. var., or to P. limbus n. sp. 

 From the former, it would be at least varietally distinguished 

 by the four-lobed black marking across posterior part of 

 thorax and from the latter by the scutellum being pale reddish 

 instead of fuscous. 



In preparing the key to Paracalocoris the writer strove to 

 base it entirely upon fairly constant structural characters and 

 was successful except for the colon group. This section is 

 considered to consist of three species, and color pattern is 

 used as a key character. The dangers of the latter course are 

 well illustrated by the several distinct color patterns exhibited 

 by the varieties of P. scrupeus, but which nevertheless are 

 practically identical structurally. The writer is convinced 

 that basing classification upon structure, so far as possible is 

 an ideal distinctly worth while. Could it be consistently 

 applied the experience of the student of systematic entomology 

 would be much more satisfactory. 



For the loan of material the writer is indebted to Messrs. 

 J. C. Crawford, Otto Heidemann, W. D. Pierce, Wm. T. 

 Davis and H. H. Knight. Mr. Knight kindly gave me for 

 inclusion in this paper descriptions of the new species hawleyi 

 and new variety ancora, forms upon which he had made 

 economic investigations in New York and which he had already 

 determined as undescribed. 



The key includes the following species and varieties : 



Species Old New Varieties Old New 



10 6 4 26 3 23 



With regard to varieties, the writer would remark that 

 placing together in a collection the often very distinct appearing 

 color varieties results in a heterogeneity that inevitably suggests 

 that classification has not been properly done. The use of 

 names for the varieties not only encourages separation of them 

 in collections but facilitates reference to them and is one of the 

 steps necessary to a better understanding of their significance. 



