DIASPIS BEOMELI^. 157 



Diam. 2'25 3 mm. 



Adult female (PL XIII, fig. 3) at period of gestation 

 pyriform, widely rounded in front where there is a deep 

 central emargination. Segments very pronounced ; 

 those of the abdomen tuberculate at the margins, and 

 often asymmetrical ; pygidium extended. Colour yellow 

 or orange-yellow ; young adults much paler ; at the 

 period of gestation it changes to a deep orange colour. 

 Pygidium (PI. XVI, fig. 1) with five groups of circum- 

 genital glands ; the anterior group usually consists of 

 from 8 9 ; the anterior laterals from 14 20, and 

 the posterior laterals from 13 17; formula of seven 

 examples : 



9 10 9 8 8 



14 _9 1918 2118 1719 2018 

 13 1617 1713 1416 1614 



8 9 



1619 1719 

 15_16 1616 



In the first example it will be seen that the right 

 anterior and posterior groups are united, making in 

 all 28 ; this is quite a freak of nature, but I have noted 

 similar malformations in other species of the Diaspinse. 

 Dorsal tubular spinnerets short and cylindrical, and 

 number about 10 13 on each side of the dorsum; 

 there are from 8 10 others of similar structure con- 

 nected with the margin, some of which have long 

 projecting pores. Margin of pygidium (PI. XVIII, 

 fig. 1) with three pairs of lobes ; median pair largest, 

 divergent, finely serrate on the inner margin, distal 

 extremity of outer margin free ; second and third pairs, 

 almost equal, are deeply divided and appear as double 

 lobes ; the extremities of the lobules are usually broadly 

 rounded. The fourth pair of lobes are quite rudi- 

 mentary. All the plates are simple and spine-like, and 

 there are usually eight on either side of the dorsum ; 

 the first three are immediately anterior to the lobes ; 



