524 Mr. D. Sharp and Mv. F. Muir on the Comparative 



Family DISCOLOMIDAE. 



Form examined : Notiophygus sp. (not named in Brit. 

 Mus.), S. Africa. 



Notiopliygus aff. nigropundati (PL LX figs. 109, 109«). 



Median lobe strong and strongly chitinised, forming a short tube 

 with the ventral edge of the median orifice pointed and projecting 

 long beyond the dorsal edge, the median foramen occupying a 

 basal ventral position with its ventral edge produced into a strong 

 process (pa) by which it is articulated to the tegmen. Tegmen 

 forming a strongly chitinised cap-piece, enveloping the median 

 lobe, which plays through an orifice on the ventral face, the distal 

 edge of this orifice is beset with stout short hairs (a). Internal 

 sac well developed, with two small plates (b) as armature. 



The best position we can suggest for this form at present 

 is near to Nitidulidae or Monotomidae, but if there is any 

 relation it is a very distant one. 



Family COCCINELLIDAE. 



Forms examined : Lasia glohosa Sclm. ; Mijsia oUongo- 

 guttata L. ; Coccidula rvfa, Herbst. ; all abundant European 

 forms. Also Leis 22-viaculata ¥., S. Africa. 



Figs. Ill, 112 PI. LXI. 



Zasia qlohosa (^Subcoccinclla 24f-2}undata, recently) (PL 

 LXI fig. 111). 



Median lobe in form of a long, curved, chitinous tube, with 

 the median orifice at apex, the lip of which is turned back on 

 the dorsal aspect and likewise projects as a thick spine on the 

 ventral f;xce ; median foramen at base, where the tube is flatfish and 

 expanded laterally. Tegmen forming a ring round the median 

 lobe, the dorsal part consisting of two large lateral lobes, between 

 which is a large curved sclerite, pointed at apex and fastened at each 

 basal corner to the large strut on the ventral face. This strut is 

 thick and expanded at its end, and fits into the exj^anded end of the 

 median lobe (b and c) to which it is attached by muscles. Internal 

 sac undiflerentiated. 



My da ohlongo-guttaia (PL LXI fig. 112). 



The median lobe is very long, thin and curved, the first connect- 

 ing membrane is also Aery long and allows the median Ljbe to be 



