204 Prof. J.C. Schiddte on the Classification 
The spermathece likewise assume the form of dilatations of 
the anterior free extremity of the vagina. Their shapes are very 
various, sometimes that of a conic protuberance (Cryptohypnus 
quadripustulatus, Diacanthus tessellatus and bipustulatus), some- 
times that of a tolerably long tube (Agriotes aterrimus), or of a 
short bag terminating in a tubiform continuation (Melanotus 
castanipes, Limonius cylindricus), or of two (Diacanthus eneus) 
or three (D. pectinicornis) short thick branches ; in D. sjelandicus 
they are represented by five long tubes situated inside the vagina ; 
in Ampedus balteatus there are two long club-shaped tubes pro- 
eceding from the top of the vagina, and five others starting from 
the duct of the accessory gland. This last case effects a transi- 
tion to those cases where the tubes of the spermatheca do not 
open immediately into the vagina, but mto its upper tubiform 
part, into the end of which the accessory gland opens, and which 
therefore may be looked upon as the duct of the latter. In 
Cardiophorus ruficollis this conduit is thin, towards the end 
wound and twisted, and bears on one side more than sixty short 
spermathecal tubes*. In Agriotes marginatus this duct carries 
close before its dilated end a long spermathecal tube, from 
which, again, a lateral appendix branches off towards its extre- 
mity. In Agriotes obscurus, lineatus, and sputator the duct is of 
extraordinary length, and near the base twisted in a double 
spiral, one outside the other; beyond this part, a very long 
twisted spermatheca separates itself from it, and beyond this, 
again, the duct carries a varying number of shorter club-shaped 
tubes along its sides; and, besides this, there is in Agriotes ob- 
scurus a short cylindrical tube, and in A. lineatus a somewhat 
larger deeply bifid bag, placed at the point of junction between 
the vagina and the duct of the accessory gland. In Throscus, 
finally, we find two small round spermathece, of which the 
ducts unite into a short common duct inserted near the base of 
the duct of the accessory gland; in their natural position they 
are placed upon the vagina like a pair of spectacles. 
The accessory gland of the spermatheca in Elaterini is large 
* The structure in Cardiophorus asellus is very similar; and there can 
consequently be no doubt that Stein (Anat. u. Physiol. d. Ins tab. 5. fig. 1) 
has represented the sexual organs of this or an allied species of Cardio- 
phorus—not, as he thinks, of Athous hirtus (niger). To his account of the 
duct of the accessory gland, however, it should be added that the serrated 
form he represents is caused by the great number of lateral tubes (nearly 
forty), which do not join the duct at right angles, but lie along it slanting 
forwards. In Stein’s drawing are also wanting the two elongated triangular 
plates of chitine (united at their ends) which are situated over the larger 
plates represented by him in the vagina; and, besides, the seminal groove is 
omitted, which here, as is usually the case, extends from the stem of the 
lateral follicle to the base of the common oviduct. 
