1915] Mvir — The Oitfof/erii/ of the (•cni'al Tubes in Coleopfera 149 



In Ccclophora inccqualis the lateral lobes are at first flat, broad 

 processes (6); the median dorsal "cap piece" (7 tg) appears to 

 arise by an outgrowth from the tegminal fold beneath the lateral 

 lobes, the latter eventually attaining a more dorsal position and 

 become long and slender. As the median lobe lengthens it grows 

 into the body cavity, but as its base is attached to the median strut 

 it assumes the curved shape common to this family (7). 



The armatures on the internal sac arise as folds and chitiniza- 

 tions, and sometimes are continued on to the median lobe; this is 

 not strange as the median lobe and sac are all one at first. 



These observations of the ontogeny of the genitalia support the 

 conclusions Dr. Sharp and I came to after extensive anatomical 

 studies, that this organ is a median tube with folds and chitiniza- 

 tions, and lend no support to the theory that one or more ster- 

 nites go to its composition. 



In the more generalized forms of Coleoptera (8) there are nine 

 distinct tergites and nine distinct sternites. Below the last ter- 

 gite lies the anal tube (9 an) which in some forms is well developed 

 and chitinized, and is considered by some to represent the tenth 

 tergite and sternite. Berlese even makes out another beyond this 

 in Lucaniis cerviniis and calls it the eleventh tergite. In Enarsus 

 bakewelli there is a distinct plate between the anus and the oedeagus 

 and in Cupes clathratus there is a large pair of appendages which 

 would indicate segmental appendages; but in the vast majority 

 the anal tube is membranous and not differentiated from the 

 second connecting membrane. In more specialized forms the 

 ninth sternite is reduced and sometimes forms a T-, Y- or V- shaped 

 sclerite. In R. obscurus nothing is left of it, unless it be the spicule. 



In Anomala orientalis and allied species the large tambour teg- 

 men is ventral during development, and so has the appearance of 

 being a sternite; in this case it would have to be the tenth sternite 

 and the median orifice would be posterior to it, but we see by the 

 ontogeny that this lies between the ninth and tenth. The teg- 

 men in (Edemeridse is the most sternite-Hke one of all that I have 

 examined and a knowledge of its development would be of interest. 



The probability of a tergite taking any part in the formation of 

 the oedeagus appears to me to be so remote that, if it were not for 

 the fact that such a theory is widely maintained, I would not con- 

 fute it. 



