THE CYANIDE KEACTION WITH YELLOW LEPIDOPTERA. 83 



The specimens sent from Antigfua were badly attacked by the 

 larvae of some moth, probably a Phycicl, so that many of their 

 characters could not easily be made out. 



Group 4. 

 Ceroplastes utilis, n. sp. 

 Island of Grand Turk. Collected bv Dr. H. Strachan. 



On a tree or bush not identified, with brownish ^rey bark, and small 

 entire or slightly crenate leaves with oblique bases. On a branch, 4 mm. 

 diam., is a mass of white wax surrotmding it, with a diam. of about 1 cm. 

 The mass is about 28 cm. long. This is composed of Coccids, embedded in 

 wax: one (with its wax), separated from the mass, is about 7 mill, long, 

 5 broad, and 4 high. Beneath, the insect itself appears dark brown, and is 

 about 4 mill, long, oval in outline. Above, there is a depression in the wax, 

 in the middle of which can be seen a small narrow-oval tubercle, correspond- 

 ing to the central tubercle of other species of the genus. When the wax is 

 removed the insect is dark brown, convex, about the shape of C. cirripedi- 

 formis, except that the apex is raised and pointed, and the lateral knobs are 

 inclined to be likewise, especially at one extremity. Seen by transmitted 

 light the scale is blood-red, becoming yellow on the sides. Boiled in soda 

 they turn it madder-pink, and the wax is deposited on the sides of the test- 

 tube. The young, as seen deposited in this wax, are nearly colourless or pale 

 brown, with dark brown legs and posterior cleft. They are oval in outline, 

 and resemble the young of Lecanium. The posterior cleft is very distinct 

 and wide. A very long hair arises from the last joint of the antennae. The 

 legs and antennae extend considerably beyond the margin of the body. The 

 edges of the posterior cleft emit two long filaments, which slightly diverge 

 from one another. There is a rather short caudal stylus. Mouth parts 

 distinct ; rostral filaments not extending to end of body. Second pair of 

 legs nearer to third pair than to first. Claws with knobbed digitules. 

 Antennae apparently of six joints ; third longest, then sixth ; second not 

 longer than fourth. 



Adult female shiny, sides strongly wrinkled ; apparently no legs or 

 antennae. 



If this species could be obtained in abundance, the wax might 

 be of commercial value. C. ceriferus, Anders., which apparently 

 produces much less wax, has been utilised, the product being 

 known as "Indian White Wax."* 



Institute of Jamaica, Kingston, Jamaica, Dec. 9, 1892. 



THE CYANIDE-REACTION WITH YELLOW LEPIDOPTERA. 

 By F. H. Perry Coste, B.Sc. (Lond.), F.C.S., F.L.S. 

 (Continued from p. 5.) 



IV. — Effect of other Potassium and of Sodium Salts. 

 Now, although I had from the first attributed the cyanide- 

 reaction, produced by KCN, to the cyanogen radicle in that com- 

 pound, yet it might have been legitimately objected that at least 



* See Spon's EneycL, vol. ii. (1882), p. 2045. 



