150 DR. K. W. VERHOEFF ON BRACHYCHAETEUMA, 



possible; I think, however, that the following account com- 

 prises the most essential points. The sternite forms a ring 

 which completely embraces the anterior gonopods. This ring 

 consists of two extremely dissimilar halves. The hinder half 

 (IX. 5, q) is like a narrow transverse buckle somewhat broken 

 in the middle line and embraced at its outer ends (v) by the 

 much wider front half. The latter is much higher at the sides 

 than in the middle. The side-pieces are furthermore less 

 clearly marked off from the gonopods than is the middle 

 piece, so that it is difficult to decide whether the rounded flap 

 (IX. 4, a) belongs to the sternite or to the gonopod. A small 

 transverse furrow (x) may be regarded as the remains of a 

 stigmatic groove. The gonopods, which arise from within the 

 frame formed by this sternite, might be spoken of as a 

 syngonopodite, since they are more or less fused in the middle 

 line for nearly the whole of their length. When looked at 

 either from in front or behind, two parts are clearly discernible, 

 separated from one another by a strong groove ; in corres- 

 pondence with those of many other representatives of the 

 Ascospermophora, these two divisions may be described as 

 coxite and telopodite. The fusion of the coxites to form a 

 syncoxite is very pronounced both in front and behind, whilst 

 the telopodites are united with one another only in their basal 

 half. 



Anteriorly the syncoxite appears as a transverse piece which 

 rises in the middle line as a long unpaired slender finger, and 

 at either side forms a broad hook bending over towards the 

 middle. Posteriorly the syncoxite is more strongly raised, 

 and consists of two paired pieces forming strong knobs ex- 

 ternally and horns internally. The knobs (no), which are 

 almost triangular and rounded at the ends, are scarcely visible 

 from in front, whilst the horns (co) project far out at the sides, 

 but in their basal half are brought closely together in the 

 middle line. Behind the horns the syncoxite is divided from 

 the telopodites by a deep groove (IX. 4, fo) on each side. 

 Anteriorly, behind the cross-ridge of the syncoxite, there is 

 seen a transverse furrow, which both externally at each side 



