329 



present, but a rudimentary auxiliary vein is visible and a pale posterior 

 basal transverse vein exists." 



Happening to be in Washington recently, I gladly availed myself of 

 the opportunity to carefully examine all the material of this genus in the 

 Department collection, which examination enables me to discuss more 

 intelligently the character of both genus and species than was possi- 

 ble from the three not too well preserved specimens that I had previously 

 studied. Mr. Skuse is quite right in considering the genus an anoma- 

 lous member of the Oscinincc. My reasons for placing it there were 

 chiefly neurational ones, to which, with Schiner, I am inclined to attach 

 much importance. Notwithstanding Mr. Skuse's assertion I will repeat 

 that the auxiliary and anterior basal cross- veins are entirely wanting, 

 as Mr. Skuse will, I think, see by mounting specimens of the wings in 

 balsam. By reflected light there does appear to be a rudiment of the 



Fig. 72. — Lestopkomis iceryce : wing venation. 



auxiliary vein, very similar to the fold seen in many species of Oscinince, 

 running forward from the humeral cross-vein and becoming obsolete. 

 I am not sure what Mr. Skuse means by the statement that there is a 

 pale posterior basal transverse vein. Such a vein is distinct, otherwise 

 there would be no anal cell. If " posterior " is a lapsus for anterior, 

 however, I must differ with him — the second basal and discal cells are 

 wholly confluent. But, notwithstanding these peculiarities, which seem 

 characteristic of the DrosophiUncc and Oscininfc, I believe now, after a 

 more careful study of allied forms, that the relationship of the genus is 

 with the Ochthiphilinw of Schiner, somewhere in the vicinity of Leu- 

 copis. It is true that Loew's definition of the Agromyzinie will wholly 

 exclude this form, but so will it exclude other genera that Loew includes 

 in this group — there are no vibrissse, the front does not have strong- 

 bristles, and the anterior basal cross- vein is wanting; furthermore there 

 are no bristles on the under side of the first femora, and the peculiar 

 exserted genitalia are different; nevertheless I would place the genus 

 provisionally here. 



pboui imported were taken in Mouoplilcebus on the supposition tliat tliey were specif- 

 ically identical with those infesting Icerya. The abstract of Mr. Skuse's paper was 

 sent to Professor Riley by Mr. FrazerS. Crawford, and arrived after Professor Riley's 

 departure for Eurojie in April. Fortunately Dr. Williston was in Washington at the 

 time, and made a careful examination of all the material at the Department, and 

 wrote this note at our request. — L. O. H. 



