KERMES VAR1EGATIJS. 141 



mucli the longest; the second and three terminal joints 

 are of equal length and very short ; formula 3, 1 (2, 

 4, 5, 6).* Legs (fig. 5) rather short and stout, but 

 much longer than the antennae ; coxas unusually large ; 

 tibia? a little shorter than the tarsi ; digitules present, 

 and apparently simple. Dermis above with numerous 

 simple derm-cells ; ventral dermis (figs. 6, 6 .) with a 

 few isolated spines and numerous large tubular spin- 

 nerets (fig. 6 b), which are grouped together in places 

 (fig. 6 a). 



The colours are retained, indefinitely, after death. 



Diameter, 5-8 mm. 



Habitat. On the terminal branches of the oak 

 (Quercus robur) in part of the Blean Woods, Herne, 

 Kent. Mr. Charles 0. Waterhouse discovered this 

 remarkable species in September, 1897. He says, 

 " I only found five examples on rather thick stems 

 close to a bud or knot in each case. They were on 

 oak shrubs in a wood, which I believe is part of the 

 Blean Woods." I have no other British record of 

 this remarkable species. 



Distribution. Signoret records it from Hyeres and 

 other parts of Southern France. It has also been found 

 in Italy (Berlese) and at Podbaba, Bohemia (Sulc). So 

 far as I have been able to ascertain, the species is local 

 and rare. Examples kindly sent to me from Italy by 

 Professor Berlese are much more brightly coloured 

 than those obtained in this country by Mr. Water- 

 house. 



EXPLANATION OF THE PLATE. 



PL LX, fig. 1. Female insect natural size in situ on 



branch (profile). 



Fig. 1 a. The same removed from branch (ventral). 

 Fig. 2. Old adult female after parturition (profile), 

 x 4. 



* I have been able only to dissect oxit one antenna, and cannot, therefore, 

 say if there be any variation in the antennal formula. 



