18 Transactions. — Zoology. 



included under it insects of several distinct species and even families. 

 Gustave Planchon, in distinguishing these species, denned the one producing 

 the red dye as Kermes vermilio and denominated another K. bauhinii. Both 

 of these are true Coccidaa, and the Coccid genus Kermes may now be said to 

 include the following European species : — 



K. ballotce, Lichtenstein. 



K. bauhinii, Planchon. 



K. gibbosus, Signoret. 



K. pallidas, Eeaumur. 



K. reniformis, Eeaumur. 



K. variegatus, Gmelin. 



K. vermilio, Planchon. 

 From America a species, K. gaUiformis, .Riley, has been described, and 

 some others are reported, but without description, by Professor Comstock. 



From South Australia I have received from F. S. Crawford, Esq., of 

 Adelaide, a Kermes, which is undoubtedly a true Coccid, but I have not 

 sufficient material for its full description. 



All the above insects are entirely distinct from the Aphididae in the 

 apterous condition of the female in all stages of her existence and in almost 

 every other character, with possibly a slight doubt as to K. variegatus. 



It would seem to be only correct that, whatever might happen with 

 regard to insects discovered or described in later times, the generic name 

 ought to follow, and to be included in, the family of the insect which 

 originally received the name, whether scientifically or popularly. As there- 

 fore, the above-mentioned Kermes vermilio is the undoubted representative 

 of the old dye-producing Kermes of the Persians and Arabs, and as it is 

 also undoubtedly a true Coccid and not Aphidian, it is right that the 

 generic name of Kermes should be attached to the Coccid family, and that 

 some other should be found for those Aphidians at present included under 

 it. 



Mr. Buckton (British Aphides, vol. iv., p. 22) affirms himself convinced 

 by the arguments of Passerini, and adds, "As regard should be paid to 

 priority, I follow Kaltenbach, Koch, and many other authors in retaining 

 the name Chermes amongst the Aphididas." The same reasoning would of 

 course lead us to extend it also to the Psyllidas, with Fabricius, Strobel- 

 berger and Marsili two centuries ago ; and this would be absurd. But, in 

 truth, the point to be noted is that, whilst it makes no difference perhaps 

 to which family the name is given, it is quite clear that it ought not to 

 belong to both ; and looking at the position of Kermes vermilio as stated just 

 now, it seems most proper that this name should be restricted to the 

 Coccida? alone, and that some other should be found for the Aphididae, 



