cr) 
12 Mr. A. Murray on the Homologies of 
including some of the most powerful springing beetles, namely 
Cryptohypnus (circumscribed in the manner indicated below). 
It is, however, clear that what is lost in firmness is gained in 
freedom of movement, inasmuch as the articulation thus modi- 
fied allows the animal to stretch the prosternum much further 
back. We observe also that this bold feature in the structure 
of Cryptohypnus is combined with and compensated by the 
highest development of everything else which contributes to 
the springing-process, such as the long prothorax, elytra with 
raised ribs, &c., the small size (2 lines) of the animal bemg 
also an important element in this respect. No doubt this 
immense development of the springing-apparatus is *calculated 
to suit the habits of the animal, because, living in sandy soil, 
they cannot depend either on firm support for the body in 
springing, or on a firm footing while running. In such locali- 
ties these small “clickers” skip with such power (nearly a foot 
in height), with such rapidity, and so many times consecutively, 
that it is often difficult to catch them. 
[To be continued. ] 
XXX.—On the Homologies of the Male and Female Flowers of 
Conifers. By Anprew Murray, F.1.S. 
[Plate X.] 
NorwitHstTaNnDING the numerous analyses to which the flowers 
of Conifers have been subjected, the opinion of botanists regard- 
ing the significance of their parts is by no means unanimous. 
Any additional light upon the subject should therefore be wel- 
come. 
The hot and long continued summer of 1865 seems, by ripen- 
ing the wood, to have induced a more plentiful flowering of 
Conifers this year than usual—many species which had not 
previously flowered, or at least not previously produced male 
flowers, having done so this summer. The study of some of 
these has presented the relations of the different parts to me in 
a clearer light than any in which I have hitherto seen them 
placed ; and I venture to submit them to the reader in the“hope 
that I may thus contribute to the clearing up of the difficulties 
which surround them. 
If we take the male catkin of any Cypressine Conifer, say Wel- 
lingtonia, which is one of those which have produced male flowers 
in Britain for the first time this year, we find that it consists of 
a few scales (PI. X. fig. 1), with small rounded balls peeping out 
between them. These scales are obviously a mere continuation 
of the scales of the branch; but on examining them minutely, 
