Anatomy of the Male Genital Tithe in Colcoptera. 555 



The ventral aspect of the tegmen causes us to place 

 this family on one side along with Pyrochroidae, etc. 

 But we must recall our remark as to the difficulty of 

 determining this point. 



if it could be established that the tegmen is composed 

 of a modified chrootic sternite, then this type might be 

 the most primitive of the coleopterous aedeagi. 



Family MORDELLIDAE. 



Forms examined : Anaspis frontalis L., England. Pcle- 

 cotomoides conicollis Cast., Australia. Tomoxia liguttata 

 Gyll, New Forest. 



Figs. 189, 190 and 191 PI. LXXI. 



Anaspis frontalis (PI. LXXI fig. 189). 



Median lobe slender, tubular and semi-chitinous, and with median 

 orifice at ^tip. Tegmen consisting of a pair of pointed lateral lobes 

 consolidated at their base, and a narrow, long basal-piece. The 

 tegmen lies on the dorsal aspect of the median lobe, with a 

 membranous connection on the ventral aspect. Internal sac un- 

 differentiated. 



This aedeagus does not approach either in structure or 

 orientation the other forms we have examined among the 

 Mordellidae. It is possible that it would find a better 

 place near AntJiicidae. 



Pelccotomoidcs conicollis (PI. LXXI fig. 190). 



Median lobe long, slender and curved, median orifice near tip on 

 ventral face. Tegmen consisting of a large, basal sclerite {}>i>) on 

 the ventral aspect of the median lobe, with a pair of highly 

 modified lateral lobes, in the form of crescents. Internal sac 

 undifferentiated. 



Tomoxia Ufjuttata (PL LXXI, fig. 191). 



Median lobe long, thin and membranous, supported by a chitinous 

 rod along each side, which join together about the middle and 

 continue as a single median sclerite. Tegmen consisting of a 

 sheath-like sclerite and a flat sclerite bearing three irregular pro- 

 cesses, the two sclerites being connected by a membrane. Internal 

 sac undifferentiated. 



We are not satisfied with our knowledge of this family 

 and hope it will be sliortly increased. Tlie orientation of 



