ere) 
V. A preliminary revision of the Forficulide (sensu stricto) 
and of the Chelisochide, families of the Dermatoptera. 
By Matcotm Borg, B.A., F.ES., F.Z.8., F.LS., F.G.S. 
[Read March 6th, 1907.] 
Pian TV: 
A CAREFUL study of the genus Opisthocosmia, Dolyrn., as 
understood by de Bormans, has revealed a mass of incon- 
gruities and a number of new characters. A cursory 
examination has shown that very dissimilar species were 
ranged together, and that it was necessary to define the 
genus with greater precision and to reject many diverse 
forms which had been hitherto included. The develop- 
ment of this process soon showed that many allied genera 
were involved, until it became necessary to recast entirely 
that group of genera in which the second tarsal segment 
is cordiform. I regard this as a highly significant char- 
acter (differing in this point diametrically from Dr. 
Verhoeff), which neatly defines the Porficulidx, a name 
which I restrict to those earwigs possessing this character, 
regarding the group as a family of the order Dermatoptera. 
The task of revising the Augean stable will take so 
long a time, and so many years must elapse before the 
appearance of the final monograph, that I have resolved 
to publish this preliminary report as the result of a study 
of these genera. Dr. Verhoeff included them in his first 
“ Aufsatz,’ but lack of material rendered his work in this 
respect incomplete. 
Thus it will be seen that my use of the name for/i- 
culide does not coincide exactly with that of Verhoeff, 
for that author rejected the shape of the second tarsal 
segment as a valuable character; he included Spongiphora 
and Nesogaster and Sparatta, with their allies, which 
appears to me to be an eminently unnatural and artificial 
arrangement. ‘The German author distinguishes the forfi- 
culide from the Labiduride by the single development 
of the genitalia, which we do not employ, for reasons 
stated elsewhere, and by the presence of the stink-glands 
on the sides of the abdomen; he excludes Chelidura and 
its allies on account of their entire winglessness, but the 
lobed second tarsal segment appears to be such a strong 
TRANS. ENT. SOC. LOND. 1907.—PART I. (JUNE) 
