506 Mr. B. Sharp and Mr. F. Muir on the Comparative 



Family LEPTINIDAE. 

 Form examined : LejJtimis testaccus Miill., Brockenhurst. 



Z. testaceus (PL LI figs. 55, 55a). 



Median lobe large, chitinous on dorsal aspect, where it is drawn 

 out into a point and on the sides, semi-membranous on the ventral 

 aspect ; median orifice on the ventral aspect of the distal end {mo) ; 

 median foramen large at basal end, and proceeding somewhat along 

 dorsal side (6). Lateral lobes thin narrow bodies lying along the 

 dorso-lateral parts of the median lobe and projecting somewhat 

 beyond its tip. Basal-piece well developed, forming a ring through 

 the base of which the median lobe passes and projects beyond, 

 basally. Point of articulation on dorsal side. This basal-piece is 

 distinct but of a semi-chitinous nature. Internal sac large, project- 

 ing through the median foramen; it bears a patch of hairs near its 

 apex, and about the middle a long slender chitin rod (a) attached 

 to the sac by a broad square base ; the ejaculatory duct does not 

 pass through it. This differs but little from certain Silphidae. 



Family PLATYPSYLLIDAE. 

 Form examined : Platypsylla castoris Kits., N. America. 



P. castoris (PI. LXXVII fig. 229). 



This comes near to Leptinus from which it differs only in details. 



Median lobe tubular, pointed at apex and greatly enlarged on 

 basal two-fifths; median orifice on ventral face near apex; median 

 foramen large at base. Tegmen consisting of a basal-piece surround- 

 ing the median lobe anterior to the basal enlargement, and a pair of 

 narrow lateral lobes situate on the dorsal face. Internal sac smaller 

 than in Leptinus and not passing through the median foramen when 

 at rest, covered with hairs and flattened pointed scales ; a thin 

 flagellum arises from the apex. 



We are indebted to Mr. E. A. Schwarz for the 

 opportunity of examining this interesting species. 



Family SCAPHIDIIDAE. 



Form examined : Scaphidinm quadrimacidatuM 01., 

 Brockenhurst. 



S. quadrimaculatum (PI. LIV fig. 76). 



This is a characteristic Staphylinid type. Median lobe with distal 

 half forming a wide tube, basal half bulbous, with a membranous 



