S1GNORKTIA LUZUL.K. 31 



uncovered. For some time afterwards the insects re- 

 main at the extremity of the ovisac, but they eventually 

 work their way out of the sac, fall to the ground, and 

 perish. The body changes very much in character 

 after parturition, the central portion being deeply 

 wrinkled transversely, as in Pulvinaria, but the 

 anterior portion retains a distinctly clypeate form. 

 The brilliant colouring is also eventually lost, and a 

 dull ochreous tint extends over the whole body. 

 Parasitised females, which are very rare, remain in 

 the ovisac after parturition, which is a proof that the 

 Coccid is either killed, or so paralysed that it is unable 

 to escape. I have noted the same habit in parasitised 

 examples of Eriopeltis festucx. I should add that 

 shortly before the formation of the ovisac the females 

 effect their last moult, and while witnessing the act 

 under the microscope I distinctly saw a female make 

 use of its anal ring, apparently to detach its partly- 

 discarded skin from the sides of the anal cleft, which 

 it did by constantly protruding the telescopic tube to 

 which the anal ring is attached ; the abdomen was also 

 frequently elevated, but I am inclined to take this as 

 one of the traits of fecundation, as I have observed it 

 in a species of Pseudococcus, and, moreover, I also find 

 that many Coccids are fecundated immediately after 

 the final moult. Brilliantly coloured as the females 

 are, they are by no means conspicuous, as the leaves 

 upon which they feed are generally stained with orange, 

 brown, and red, and shaded purples ; and I am not at 

 all sure that the insects do not cause some of the 

 brighter stains. 



Distribution. Signoret found it in great abundance 

 in the south of France, and in the Forest of Clamart, 

 and he also received it from Targioni-Tozzetti, from 

 Italy. Apparently it has not been met with else- 

 where out of Britain. 



