522 Mr. D. Sharp and Mr. F. Muir on the Comparative 
Family CUPEDIDAE. 
Form examined: Cupes clathratus Motsch., Japan. 
Figs. 1038, 103a, 104, 104a, 1045 Pl. LIX. 
Cupes clathratus (Pl. LIX figs. 108, 103a, 104, 104a, 
1040). 
Median lobe small with median orifice on ventral aspect, forming 
a longitudinal opening along the distal two-thirds. Tegmen com- 
plex without distinct division between the basal-piece and lateral 
lobes. On the dorsal side there is a plate (a) bilobed at tip, which 
covers the median lobe. A pair of large lateral lobes with complex 
tips, and from near their bases, on the ventral face, two long, slender 
spines (b) are given off. Internal sac undifferentiated. 
There is a unique structure pertaining to the dorsal plate of the 
last visible abdominal segment (104, 104a, 104)). Asin Omma the 
anus opens at the end of a chitinous tube (c), from below it there 
rises a pair of flattened chitinous processes (d). The last visible 
dorsal plate is deeply cleft at its distal margin, its basal part con- 
tinues into the abdomen, curves under and ends in a point, a 
hole (e) being left just before the bend, through which the gut 
passes. 
Obs.—As regards Omma and Cupes; though very peculiar 
they are by no means closely allied, and form two families 
more naturally than a single one. It is by no means 
impossible that the peculiarities of these two Coleoptera 
are indications of an old relationship with Insects of 
another Order (perhaps something that preceded the 
existing Sialidae). We really, however, know very little 
about the creatures and generalisation is premature. We 
find that their wings even have been but imperfectly 
studied. 
Family CRYPTOPHAGIDAE. 
Form examined: <Antherophagus nigricornis Fabr., 
England. 
Fig. 105 Pl. LIX. 
A, nigricornis (Pl. LIX fig. 105). 
Median lobe short and broad, the dorsal basal edge being con- 
tinued as a broad, long, strut (a); median orifice forming a dorso- 
lateral slit across the apex. Tegmen forming a ring with a large 
dorsal cap ; the cap formed of a pair of broad, triangular lateral lobes 
