Pomona College Journal op Entomology 663 



Watophilus errans sp. nov. 



A small species under \!i mm. in length and seeming to have constantly 

 forty-three ));iirs of legs in the female and forty-one in the male. The body is 

 yellowish white with the head of a pale reddish cast. The cephalic plate is 

 elongate with the sides weakly convex, a little converging at ends, more so 

 cephalad ; caudal border truncate, overla))ping considerably the basal plate, the 

 exposed portion of which is very short, being eight times wider than long, and 

 is marked with a distinct longitudinal median sulcus. No frontal suture is present. 

 The antenna? are short and strictly filiform. The claws of the prehensorial feet 

 when closed extend beyond front margin of head ; claw armed at base with a stout 

 conical tooth, the first joint armed near distal end with a somewhat larger conical 

 tooth. First spiracle subelli))tie, larger than the second, others circular. Last 

 ventral plate wide. Coxopleural pores small, few, mostly covered. 



Locality. — Berkeley, Cal., (author, April, 1911). 



Watophilus laetus sp. nov. 



Head witli sides nearly parallel, a little converging caudad, but slightly 

 excurved; caudal margin truncate. The anterior nearly so; corners not strongly 

 rounded; much longer than wide (5:4). Basal plate much covered by cephalic, 

 the exposed portion about three and one-half times wider than long, one-quarter 

 as long as head. Antennae longer than in the preceding species. Claws of pre- 

 hensorial feet when closed extending a little beyond front margin of head ; tooth 

 of claw small. Presternum wider than long (11:9). Last ventral plate wide, 

 sides converging caudad, caudal margin a little incurved. Coxopleura pores few, 

 partly covered. Distal joint of anal legs long and slender. Anal legs in male 

 crassate proximally, the four distal articles slender. Pairs of legs, forty-seven to 

 fifty-five. Length about 1.'5 mm. 



Localities. — Stanford (Mann), Pacific Grove and Berkeley (author). The 

 type is from Berkeley. 



Family Soniphilidae 



Of the three genera at present known to belong to this family, two occur in 

 California. They are characterized by having a coalescence between the parts of 

 the labrum, the middle piece widely extending along the lateral to their outer 

 ends in most cases where, at least fusion is evident ; at the middle of the free edge 

 two decidedly larger and more strongly chitinized teeth are borne, the adjacent 

 ones being abruptly smaller, these middle teeth with in some several adjoining 

 pairs in two of the genera extending directly ; ventrad r.ather than caudad ; lateral 

 portions of edge pectinate. The first maxillae may or may not bear well developed 

 lappets. Second maxilla" without pleiiro-sternal suture, the coxae broadly joined 

 at middle. Chitinous lines of prosternum strongly developed. Anterior border 

 of each anterior sternite is furrowed transversely, the furrow being guarded 

 ventrally as a rule by a chitinous rim or flange beneath which fits the edge of the 

 preceding plate. 



The three genera may be separated by means of the following key: 



