346 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES [Proc. 4th Ser. 



17. Phytocoris canadensis, new species 



Very close to erectus but with distinct genital characters 

 and the pale ventral area more widened posteriorly, covering 

 the entire last ventral segment ; genital segment fuscous either 

 side, the median line and apex pale. Length 6 mm. 



Sinistral male clasper with its dorsal tooth hardly half as lonj? as 

 in erectus, triangular as viewed from before and acute at apex; dextral 

 clasper shorter and more slender on apical portion, its dorsal tooth much 

 larger, acute, nearly parallel with the ventral member than which it is 

 one-half shorter. 



Described from one male taken at Kearney, Ont., July 29, 

 1911, by my brother, M. C. Van Duzee. It is with some mis- 

 givings that I found a species on such slight genital charac- 

 ters, but the differences here are far greater than those that 

 have been used in the discrimination of species by workers 

 in other genera of the Hemiptera and it is quite probable that 

 the study of a large series will justify the separation of this 

 species. In using male genital characters in distinguishing 

 species I much prefer to employ those of the claspers, which 

 are essential organs in copulation, than those of the aedeagus 

 which is chitinized to a less degree and therefore more sub- 

 ject to distortion. The claspers also are frequently observable 

 externally without dissection of the specimen, which, with 

 scant material, is inadvisable. As a final test in close cases it 

 probably would be better to use both sets of organs when 

 the material will allow. 



In my comparative notes on these species I have used Mr. 

 Heidemann's determination of eximius which I believe is cor- 

 rect. Renter's determination of 1909 (Neark. Capsiden, p. 

 23) is plainly incorrect and refers to a species with irrorate 

 membrane, apparently inops Uhler. 



Holotype, male, in collection of the author. 



18. Phytocoris histriculus, new species 



Aspect of minutidiis Rent., a little larger and paler with the 

 elytra more variegated; first antennal segment armed with 

 many erect long white bristles. Length 5^ mm. 



Male : Head rather long, oblique, produced before the eye for a space 

 almost equal to the length of the eye ; front rather prominent. Antennae 

 long; segment I as long as the basal width of the pronotum; II about 

 twice the length of I ; III and IV together longer than I, subequal. Basal 



