SPRING TAILS. 



411 



CASE projecting front of the thorax. When full grown and unrubbed it 



XXI. 



No. 1 5. 



reflects the most gorgeous metallic tints. As remarked by Sir John 

 Lubbock, its general appearance is most singular ; the depressed 

 position of the head, and the gait gives it a most ludicrous resem- 

 blance to a hippopotamus, and at the same time the body does 

 not look as if it belonged to the head and legs, but rather as if it 

 were some foreign object supported on the animal's back. Mr. 

 Beck the microscopist speaks of the scales of this species, or of a 

 variety of it, as being a superior test for object glasses. This 

 species seems uncommon, but another L. lignorum is very common. 

 There are a number of British species of this genus. 



Degeeria annulata {Fab.).— IB. Magnified sketch of ditto. 



Degeeria has no scales, and the segments of the abdomen are 

 unequal. Its antennae have four joints, and 

 a minute basal ring. There are eight eyes in 

 each eye-patch. We have followed Sir J. 

 Lubbock's arrangement in placing Degeeria 

 here, but we cannot help thinking that the 

 natural place, both of Degeeria and Isotoma, 

 is next Orchesella. They are smaller, but 

 similar in make to it, and, like it, have no 

 scales, and their general appearance and 

 system of coloration are disposed very much 

 on the same pattern. 



This species is pale greenish yellow or 

 stone colour, with brown transverse markings. 

 Under logs in Kent throughout the year. 



No. 17. Isotoma viatica {Li7tn.).-I1, Magnified sketch of insect. 



This genus is very like the preceding and Orchesella, differing 

 from Degeeria in having the segments of the abdomen sub-equal 

 The present species is bluish black. It is not common, and 

 January to April is said to be its period of appearance. 



Dcegcrin annulata. i-ioth Oi 

 jin inch in length. 



