490 Mr. D. Sharp and Mr. F. Muir on the Comparative 
The Carabid aedeagus consists of a more or less 
asymmetrical median lobe, with small but very varied 
lateral lobes attached to the dorsal side of the base of the 
median lobe, often very asymmetrical and often very much 
reduced. The basal piece absent, or rather not to be 
distinguished from the second connecting membrane. 
Internal sac often complex and well developed, contained 
in median lobe when invaginated (not passing through 
median foramen). When withdrawn into abdomen the 
aedeagus lies on its side. 
The absence of a basal sclerite separates this family 
from the Cicindelidae. 
Family PAUSSIDAE. 
The form examined appears to be the S. African Ortho- 
pterus smitht Macl. Our specimen has no locality label. 
Fig. 41 Pl. XLIX. 
Orthopterus smithi (Pl. XLIX fig. 41). | 
Median lobe a chitinous curved tube, thinner at distal end than at 
base ; median foramen as large as the lobe, with the lateral lobes 
attached to its dorsal edge ; median orifice formed by an asymmetrical 
slit at distal end, the right edge being produced into a small curved 
knob, the left into a curved flattened point. Right lateral lobe 
broad, and flattened, reaching to near apex of median lobe, left 
lateral lobe narrow and slightly shorter ; a small thin sclerite is 
attached to connecting membrane between the lateral lobes on 
ventral side (not shown in figure) and appears to be homologous to 
the basal-piece in Dytiscus. Internal sac fairly large and when 
evaginated funnel shape. 
This aedeagus is distinctly Caraboid and strongly reminds 
one of Nebria. If we may judge from a single dissection 
the family differs from Carabidae by the possession of a 
scleritic basal-piece. 
Family RHYSODIDAE. 
Form examined is a species from Queensland, not con- 
tained in the British Museum Collection. It is a large 
form somewhat resembling the European £&. swlcatus. 
Fic, 36 Pl. XLVII. 
