DB. F. BUCHAJSTAN WHITE ON THE EUBOPEAN EHOPALOCEEA. 195 



On the Male G-enital Armature in the European Ehopalocera. 

 By Dr. F. Buchanan White, F.L.S. &c. 



[Bead December 21, 1876.] 



(Abstract.) 



In several orders of the Insecta the structure of the organs upon 

 which the perpetuation of the species depends has aflTorded, in 

 very many cases, the best and surest characters for the discrimina- 

 tion of species. But in the Lepidoptera, one of the largest of the 

 orders, and that on which perhaps the greatest amount of atten- 

 tion (scientific or otherwise) has been bestowed, the structure of 

 these parts has not received the consideration it deserves, but 

 has been almost entirely ignored. 



The author in confining himself to the European forms is not 

 prepared to admit that his conclusions thereon will hold good with 

 the Lepidoptera in general, though there are certain indications 

 that it may. 



He has selected EpinepJiele Jiyperantus, L., as a type or stan- 

 dard, and describes its apical segment, noting that in this and 

 all cases it is necessary to clear away the scales and hairs for a 

 clear and satisfactory view of the parts to be obtained. The appen- 

 dages are three, viz. a superior and two lateral ones. To the 

 latter he applies the name " harpagones," though possibly equi- 

 valents of the appendices inferiores in Trichoptera. The upper 

 appendage he designates " tegumen ;" and he takes notice of 

 the relations of all three to the anal opening and intromittent 

 organ Ac' 



He has discussed the structure of the apical segment, and its 

 modifications in various families, the nature and varied character of 

 the tegumen and of the harpagones, comparing the resemblances 

 and differences in groups. From these data he then traces the 

 apparent affinities as derived from the said characters, and gives 

 it as his opinion that not only do they yield good generic dis- 

 tinctions, but that in many cases specific difierentiation is very 

 appreciable. In his researches the author has made a great num- 

 ber of sketches, which illustrations render comparison relatively 

 easy. These and the complete paper will hereafter be published 

 in the Society's * Transactions.' 



