ABEEKANT FORM OF COCCID.E. 4G1 



hind margins of the segments. The most anterior band is ill-defined, and its pore- 

 plates few. The next four bands are well-defined and continuous, consisting of two or 

 three irregular rows of poi'e-plates. The next band (PI. 34. fi.g. 9, e) — at the posterior 

 margin of the sixth, segment — resembles these, but is interrupted in the middle line by 

 the genital aperture (PI. 34. fig. 9, d). The band on the seventh segment merely 

 consists of a small group of pore-plates on either side of the middle line ; a few pore- 

 plates are also present on the terminal segment. On the more anterior part of the 

 body these pore-plates are only present in small groups just external to each spiracle 

 and antenna. 



These pore-plates have a distinct form of their own. As usual, they are more strongly 

 chitinised than the surrounding cuticle. They are not arranged in pairs. Each (PI. 34. 

 fig. 13, also fig. 9) is circular, with a broad rim, immediately within which is a circle of 

 dots. The space within these stains more deeply than the rest, but has a rather indistinct 

 central dot of more lightly-staining substance. The glands in connection with these 

 plates lie immediately below the chitinous derma. They are somewhat elongated, 

 narrower in the portion nearer the dernia, and much smaller than any previously 

 described ; those in the posterior region of the body measure about 18 ,u in a direction 

 perpendicular to the body-surface. I cannot be quite certain whether those in the 

 posterior region consist of one or more cells. In connection with each spiracular group 

 of pore-plates there cjin be seen a number of closely-packed, elongated, somewhat pear- 

 shaped cells, each with a distinct nucleus. 



Judging from analogy with allied forms, which fill their stigmatic grooves with wax *, 

 the position of some of the glands of the third kind with respect to the spiracles might 

 suggest that they may have this function. Moreover, on the inner surface of some of 

 the ovisacs can be seen four patches of white amorphous substance, corresponding 

 roughly with the positions Avhere the spiracles would lie when the female was in the 

 ovisac ; but, though extremely probable, it is not certain that the amorphous substance 

 is wax. In connection with this, it may be mentioned that Berlese t, in describing 

 certain species of Leeanium, figures plates which are like the pore-plates described 

 above, and which are found in the stigmatic grooves and belong to glands that secrete 

 wax into these grooves. 



Ovisac (PL 34. fig. 5). — The white mass of threads arising from the dorsal surface 

 conceals not only the insect, but also the curiovis ovisac in which it lies. The ovisacs 

 are fixed to the twigs, for in the material examined the insects are always attached to 

 the woody stems, and not to the small leaves, of the plant. In the great majority of 

 specimens the ovisac has the form of a widely-open cup or basket; opaque, brownish- 

 yellow, with smooth inner surface, and the outer surface rough and bearing a number of 

 white threads similar to those arising from the dorsal surface of the insect. It is closelv 

 adapted to the shape of the creature's body, and there is a deep impression in the margin 

 at one point, and sometimes a slight spout-like prolongation, in which the fciil of ihe 



* A. Berlese, ' Lc Cocciniglie Italiane,' pt. ii. pp. 132, 133 &, 182, 183 [ex Riv. Pat. Veg. vol. iii. Xo. 1-8J ; 

 Newstead, ' Monograph of British Coccidoe,' vol. i. p. 15. 

 t ' Le Cocciniglie Italiane,' pt. ii. tav. 5. fig. 2 a. 



