GLOMEROJDEA. 
45 
of a new genus to be called Apiomeris. Even the European Glome- 
rididae have never been subjected to a careful comparative study of 
structural characters, and many species have been described with 
little more than colors to distinguish them. A comparison of the 
European material at my disposal makes it appear probable that the 
recognition of a separate family for Onomeris will be found warranted 
and desirable, and there appears to be in the literature no account 
of any form which could serve as a connecting link between Glomeris 
and the American genus. The chief objection to this position now 
apparent is that consistency may compel the elevation of Eatzel’s 
Glome?is minima (=Tatzelia Bollman, preoccupied, =Glomeridella 
Broelemann) to an equally exalted position. However, the great 
similarity in form of the eighteenth pair of male legs in forms so 
widely separated as Glomeris, Onomeris and Gervaisia, is good reason 
for supposing that it is a primitive character, and that the remarkable 
forcipate eighteenth legs of Glomeridella are indicative of equal or 
greater divergence. It is moreover similarly suggestive that the 
very numerous species of Glomeris, have, as far as known, copulatory 
legs and their accessory pairs built on the same general plan, the dif- 
ferences being so ."light that European writers have seldom taken the 
pains to point them out, a task which would doubtless give some in- 
teresting results in the line of constant minor differences. 
KKY TO THE FAMIEIES OF GEOMEROIDEA. 
Tergites eleven, strongly roughened, their posterior margins prominently 
elevated and tuberculate ; mentum entire ; Family Gervaisiidse. 
Tergites twelve, smooth and even ; mentum divided. ..... 
Eighteenth legs of male four-jointed, stout, forcipate ; nineteenth pair not 
exceeding the eighteenth, three-jointed ; their median lamina large and flab- 
ellate ; eleventh tergite much reduced: Family Glomeridellidae, nov. 
Eighteenth legs five-jointed, slender, not forcipate, exceeded by the very 
robust nineteenth pair ; median lamina small and rectangular or Ungulate ; 
eleventh tergite normal. .......... 
Seventeehth legs of male with coxa enlarged, otherwise atrophied to a three- 
jointed rudiment; second segment with a broad, striated anterior and lateral 
margin separated by a distinct transverse groove ; antenna accommodated in 
deep excavations in the vertex, which leave a narrow ridge around the margins 
and a prominent median crest: Family Onomerididse, nov. 
Seventeenth legs of male of the normal form, and only slightly reduced ; 
second segment smooth except for a marginal notch or groove at the inferior 
posterior corner ; antennae not included in fossae, their terminal joints extend- 
ing beyond the sides of the head : Family Glomerididae. 
July 29, 1896. 
