( ex ) 



than those with a tooth only. A large number of Coleoptera 

 of the families Melolonthidx and JintelidcX have this form. 

 The Eutelvhv differ from the Melolonthidx in having the two 

 claws of unequal size, the outer one being the larger. Some- 

 times both these claws are simple, but in many cases the 

 larger claw of the anterior tarsi is bifid. In some species the 

 larger claw of all the tarsi, and in some both claws of all 

 the tarsi are bifid. The bifid claw occurs in the Melolonthidx 

 in such genera as Diphuceplmla, Macrodactijluft, Chaunaiithus, 

 Chasmat02)teriis, and many others, but both claws are of the 

 same size. 



Many other Coleoptera have bifid claws. Dragon-flies of 

 the genus Jfan-omia and its allies and, I believe, all the 

 Agrionidse have this form of claw, although it is often very 

 slight. It is very slight in Maidisjm. All the Fieridiv have 

 the claws bifid, and so have the Tenthredinidee. Among the 

 wasps the genera Rhynchiwm, Odynerus, Euoiienes and Synagris 

 may be mentioned. In all these the two points are one below 

 the other, or nearly so. In some species of wasps of the 

 genus Salius, S. hasalia for example, the lower point is inside 

 the upper one, and this is so in most of the bees that have 

 bifid claws, such as Bomlms, Ajxitluis, AntlwpJwra and 

 Anthidium. In the Lougicorn genus Amphionyclia nearly 

 the same form occurs, but here the claws are more 

 curved. 



Having briefly mentioned the different forms of claw, let 

 us now inquire whether any particular form is associated 

 with any special habit of the insect. Is this difference in 

 the claws merely the result of heredity without any special 

 object, or is there any evidence to show that a special form of 

 claw is adapted to some particular mode of life; that is to 

 say, has it been developed to meet some particular need % 



In the Coleopterous genus Uroplata the elytra are f ui-nished 

 at the apex with spines and teeth of various shapes, and in 

 no two species are they exactly alike. Broadly speaking, 

 these spines may be of service to the insect, but it is hardly 

 probable that each particular modification is specially advan- 

 tageous to the species which has it. I suggest as a subject 

 for inquiry, Are the claws of insects in the same category 1 



