220 J. Wood-Mason — On new or little-known species of Phasmidse. 



I take this opportunity of stating that the terminal dorsal abdominal 

 segment in the males of all the species belonging to this family of Orthopte- 

 rous insects with the exception of those of the genus Phy Ilium is modified 

 to serve as a more or less efficient clasping apparatus. In its simplest form, 

 this consists of a number of very minute highly indurated dark brown 

 spinules developed upon the under surface of the segment near its hinder 

 margin (Bacillus hispidulus, W-M., etc.) ; very frequently, however, the whole 

 segment is so profoundly modified as to constitute a regular forceps (most 

 species of Lonchodes, Phibalosoma hypharpax, Podacanthus Typhon, etc.), 

 the arms of which are in contact throughout their length and beset 

 internally with interlocking teeth, or in contact and spined at their 

 extremities only ; these extremes of simplicity and specialization being 

 connected by every conceivable gradation. In correlation, the anal cerci, 

 which are invariably straight in the females, are curved and decussated. 

 But neither has this condition of the anal cerci been hitherto recognized as 

 appertaining exclusively to the male sex, nor have the structures to which 

 a prehensile and retentive function is now for the first time assigned been 

 interpreted, although both have been figured and described in numerous 

 species by Professor Westwood and others. 



