222 Transactions. — Zoology. 



The admixture of the second pellicle with secretion to form the test 

 approaches this genus more nearly to the Diaspidte than any others of the 

 group. But there can be no mistaking its affinities, for the abdominal cleft 

 and lobes of Lecanium at once define its position. 



1. Lecanocliiton metrosideri, sp. nov. 

 Figs. 18-21. 



The young insect, extremely minute, has the general form of Lecanium 

 hesperidum : it is flat, oval, brown, or rather reddish, usually found at the 

 tips of young shoots. The antenna have six joints (fig. 18) ; on the last 

 joint are several hairs, amongst which is one excessively long, slightly 

 knobbed. Foot (fig. 19) normal ; the joints hairy ; upper digitules fine 

 knobbed hairs, lower pair a little broader. 



In the second stage the insect is scarcely altered : the antenna and feet 

 remain as before : but there is a test, white, waxy, very thin, covering the 

 dorsal surface, and extending a little beyond the edge in an irregular fringe 

 somewhat resembling that of Ctenochiton elongatus (Trans., vol. xi., p. 212, 

 pi. vii., fig. 14d). On the edge, also, are a number of protruding spinneret 

 tubes, glassy, white, cylindrical, either curved or straight : a few of these 

 tubes protrude on the surface of the back. The under side of this stage is 

 shown in fig. 20. 



The adult female is covered by a hard, brown test (fig. 21, dorsal view), 

 having the general appearance of an overturned basket, the foot of the 

 basket being formed by the pellicle of the second stage. This test, convex 

 or semi-globular above, is open beneath ; and as the insect, which entirely 

 fills the test, approaches its last stage it becomes slightly hollowed below 

 as in some other Lecanidse : in the cavity thus formed the young are 

 hatched. 



The female, dark-brown in colour, corresponds to the shape of the test. 

 The rostrum is comparatively large ; the mentum, I think, monomerous. 

 Antennae (fig. 22) short, thick, atrophied ; and the seven joints of which 

 they are composed are so compressed as to show apparently only three : it 

 is not easy to make out the divisions. The last joint has a few hairs. The 

 feet are entirely absent, and I have not been able to see maculae in place of 

 them, as is usual in some other apodous Lecanidae. 



On the pellicle at the top of the test may be seen remains of the test of 

 the second stage. From this pellicle radiate to the edge four rows of rather 

 large spinnerets secreting the test, each row starting from a point opposite 

 the stigmata of the pellicle : and on turning over the test there are seen on 

 the underside four corresponding lines of white cotton. 



The skin of the insect is smooth and not tessellated. 



