230 [SciJtcinber, 



the same as that described by Prof. Comstock under the uarae of Mytilaspis citi'icola. 

 If I am correct in this conclusion, then I presume the original specific name of Bouche 

 should be restored. It will be remembered that Boucho, Dr. Signoret and Mr. 

 Douglas all found the species on the same food-plant, Cymbidium, and although 

 Signoi'et's description does not enter into some details which would have assisted 

 the identification, still the species does not show, I think, any characters contrary 

 to his description ; whilst, on the other hand. Prof. Comstock's figures and descrip- 

 tion leave but little room for doubt, although there is some difference as regards 

 the groups of ventral glands. I see only about 6 to 9 in tlie anterior laterals and 

 4 or 5 in the posterior laterals, whilst Prof. Comstock mentions 18, and 9 in the 

 respective groups. I find 5 in the anterior group, whilst Signoret mentions 4, and 

 Comstock 6. The chief points of difference, besides the colour of the scale, between 

 this species and M. linearis are that the median lobes of M. pinnceformis are several 

 times notched on each lateral margin, which makes these margins practically crenate, 

 and the apex being compressed becomes more or less acute, whilst in M. linearis 

 {= M. poniorum) the median lobes have only one notch on each lateral margin. In 

 this latter species also, as Prof. Comstock mentions, the groups of ventral glands, 

 though subject as we have seen to mucli variation, are generally massed, and contain 

 a greater number than in M. pinnaformis, in which tlie anterior gi-oup is arranged 

 in a single row. 



4. — Mttflaspis ficus. 



l^lytilaspis ficiis, Sign., Ess. s. C'och., p. 138. 



I received this species from Mr. Douglas, who received it from the Royal 

 Horticultural Society's Gardens at Chiswick, where it was found on fig trees imported 

 from the South of France fifteen years ago, and kept in pots under glass ; the scales 

 were at one time abundant, but careful treatment in brushing and washing them off 

 has nearly extirpated them. 



The $ scale is of a light brown colour usually, though occasionally dark grey. 

 In its light brown colour it very much resembles iJ. plnnti-f or mis, hwi it seems usually 

 more twisted in shape. I doubt, however, whether its shape could always be de- 

 pended upon, more than can its colour. Tlie groups of ventral glands are as 

 observed by Signoret, viz., 5 in the anterior, about 8 or 9 in the anterior laterals, 

 and about 6 or 7 in the posterior laterals. The median lobes are very similar to 

 those of M. linearis, but the outer lateral margin is very much compressed posteriorly, 

 so as to cause the lobe to appear bilobed. In other respects the abdominal margin 

 is the same as that of M. linearis and M. pinnaformis. The species appears to be 

 very closely allied to <!/. Gloverii (Packard), Comstock, but the gwa.fi-penultimate 

 segment has three plates, whereas M. Gloverii has only two, and besides, Comstock 

 describes the scale of this latter species as much narrower than M. citricola (equal, 

 as I think, to M. pinnrtformis), whereas I find that M.ficus has a more convoluted 

 but not narrower scale than the former species. 



The (J scale is similar to that of the female, but smaller and rather whiter. I 

 have found the pupa although not the perfect form. Dr. Signoret observes that the 

 male scale is round and of a greyish-black, and he says that the other scales on the 

 contrary (meaning the females) are very narrow and of a very light colour. But I 

 think the males he mentions must have been those of some Aspidiotus associated 

 witii the Mylilaspis on the same plant. 



Villa Nova da Gaya, Portugal : 

 J ;/;■//, 18'JO. 



