82 THE WOMBAT. 



Mr. W. M. Maskell has very briefly stated the disting- 

 uishing characters of the Coccidse as follows (Scale Insects of 

 New Zealand, page 8, plate I, 1887) : — 



(1) " The presence of only one joint in the tarsus, or 



fourth joint of the leg, in both females and males. 



(2) " The presence of only a single claw terminating 



the leg in both females and males. 



(3) " The presence of only two wings, with two 



halteres in the full-grown males (pi. XXI.) 



(4) " The presence of two or more eyes or ocular 



tubercles, in addition to the usual pair of eyes 

 in the full-grown males (pis. I and VIII)." 



The name Coccidae is from the Greek kokkos, which 

 denotes a rich red dye. Cochineal is a product of an insect 

 of this family — Kermes vermilio, Planclton (Coccus ilicis, 

 Linn.), and such Victorian Coccids as Eriococcus eucalypti, 

 Mask, and some Dactylopi produce material which may 

 possibly be used for similar purposes in future years. 



Coccids are generally known by the vernacular name of 

 " Scale-insects " — a term now pretty generally abandoned by 

 authors in favour of " Coccids," as the former name often 

 proves misleading and confusing ; although several genera 

 are distinguished by the form and size of the test (or "scale.") 

 e.g. Aspidiotus, Lecaniurn, there are many species which 

 secrete quite a large quantity of mealy cotton — Dactylopi — 

 and have no sign of a test "or scale," while others produce 

 hard woody galls as large as a hen's egg — Brachyscelinae— so 

 that the name of " Scale-insects " only applies to a very small 

 portion of the family. 



No general rule can he said to exist as to " where to 

 find Coccids," for they may be found occupying any position; 

 and I think it here necessary to point out the value of every 

 collector carefully noting the position of all specimens ; the 

 locality, date, and above all, the botanical name of the host 

 plant : for the practical or economical part of entomology 

 consists of such data, and the natural history oi a species is 

 incomplete without it ; and after all it is the economical part 

 of entomology (or science in general) that most concerns the 

 progress of mankind. In the present paper I have been 

 anticipated in regard to some species, but the old saying that 

 " All eyes see not things alike," is a true one, and what may 

 escape the eye of one writer may be apparent to that of another, 

 make no apology for adding additional notes to species 

 Iready described. 



