522 Mr. D. Sharp and Mr. F. Muir on the Comparative 



Family CUPEDIDAE. 



Form examined : Cupes clatJiratus Motsch., Japan. 

 Figs. 103, 103«, 104, 104ft, 104& PL LIX. 



Cupes dathratus (PI. LIX figs. 103, 103«, 104, 104a, 

 1046). 



Median lobe small with median orifice on ventral aspect, forming 

 a longitudinal opening along the distal two-thirds. Tegmen com- 

 plex without distinct division between the basal-piece and lateral 

 lobes. On the dorsal side there is a plate (a) bilobed at tip, which 

 covers the median lobe. A pair of large lateral lobes with complex 

 tips, and from near their bases, on the ventral face, two long, slender 

 spines (6) are given off. Internal sac undifferentiated. 



There is a unique structure pertaining to the dorsal plate of the 

 last visible abdominal segment (104, 104a, 104/;). As in Omma the 

 anus opens at the end of a chitinous tube (c), from below it there 

 rises a pair of flattened chitinous processes (d). The last visible 

 dorsal plate is deeply cleft at its distal margin, its basal part con- 

 tinues into the abdomen, curves under and ends in a point, a 

 hole (e) being left just before the bend, through which the gut 

 passes. 



Obs. — As regards Omma and Cup)es; though very peculiar 

 they are by no means closely allied, and form two families 

 more naturally than a single one. It is by no means 

 impossible that the peculiarities of these two Coleoptera 

 are indications of an old relationship with Insects of 

 another Order (perhaps something that preceded the 

 existing Sialidae). We really, however, know very little 

 about the creatures and generalisation is premature. We 

 find that their wings even have been but iinperfectly 

 studied. 



Family CRYPTOPHAGIDAE. 



Form examined : Antherophagus nigricornis Fabr., 

 England. 



Fig. 105 PI. LIX. 



A. nigricornis (PI. LIX fig. 105). 



Median lobe short and broad, the dorsal basal edge being con- 

 tinued as a broad, long, strut (a) ; median orifice forming a dorso- 

 lateral slit across the apex. Tegmen forming a ring with a large 

 dorsal cap ; the cap formed of a pair of broad, triangular lateral lobes 



