36 EXPLANATION OF TERMS 



V. 



Vagina, every part, the office of which is to cover, defend, or 

 support the tongue it is divided into tubus, valvx, palpi, 

 lora, and annulus (Kirby) ; the bivalve coriaceous sheath or 

 cover of the spicula. 



Paginate, (aculeus) inclosed in a bivalve sheath. 



Valvse, or valvulse, in the Hymenoptera, are two coriaceous 

 laminae or sheaths which surround and inclose the vagina, 

 and which support the exterior palpi ; small concave mem- 

 branes inclosing the proboscis ; the maxillae. 



Variety, a peculiarity of colour or form in an individual, not 

 proper to the species ; this difference is sometimes inherited 

 by several successive generations. 



Variolous, with large, unequal, impressed points. 



Veins, (venae). See nervures. 



Velum, membranaceous appendages attached to the spinulse at 

 the apex of the anterior tibiae. 



Venter, the inferior portion of the abdomen, separated from the 

 tergum by lateral sutures, and divided into segments. 



Ventricose, distended ; bellying; inflated. 



Vernantia, vernatio ; moulting, the shedding of the skin or 

 exuvia. 



Verrucose, having little hard lumps or wart-like elevations upon 

 the surface. See papillous, apiculate. 



Versatile, vane-like ; turning about like a vane. 



Vertebral, of or belonging to the vertebra ; generally used to 

 indicate spots, lines, or a different shading of colour, &c., im- 

 mediately over the part corresponding with the vertebral 

 column in a vertebral animal. 



Vertex, that part of the face which lies between the occiput, 

 eyes and front; (Diptera) the superior portion of the front. 



Vertical, perpendicular ; at right angles with the horizon. See 

 erect. 



Verticillate, placed in whirls. 



Vesicular^ beset with prominences that are internally concave, 

 or with little bladders. 



Vibratile, this term is used to express the almost continual 

 movement of the antennae of some Ichneumons and Mutillas ; 

 and of the wings of some Diptera. 



VibrisssB, curved bristles or hairs in some Diptera situated be- 

 tween the mystax and the antennae. 



Villi, soft hairs. 



