1. Lecanochiton metrosideri, sp. nov.
Figs. 18–21.

The young insect, extremely minute, has the general form of Lecanium hesperidum: it is flat, oval, brown, or rather reddish, usually found at the tips of young shoots. The antennæ have six joints (fig. 18); on the last joint are several hairs, amongst which is one excessively long, slightly knobbed. Foot (fig. 19) normal; the joints hairy; upper digitules fine knobbed hairs, lower pair a little broader.

In the second stage the insect is scarcely altered: the antennæ and feet remain as before: but there is a test, white, waxy, very thin, covering the dorsal surface, and extending a little beyond the edge in an irregular fringe somewhat resembling that of Ctenochiton elongatus (Trans., vol. xi., p. 212, pl. vii., fig. 14d). On the edge, also, are a number of protruding spinneret tubes, glassy, white, cylindrical, either curved or straight: a few of these tubes protrude on the surface of the back. The under side of this stage is shown in fig. 20.

The adult female is covered by a hard, brown test (fig. 21, dorsal view), having the general appearance of an overturned basket, the foot of the basket being formed by the pellicle of the second stage. This test, convex or semi-globular above, is open beneath; and as the insect, which entirely fills the test, approaches its last stage it becomes slightly hollowed below as in some other Lecanidæ: in the cavity thus formed the young are hatched.

The female, dark-brown in colour, corresponds to the shape of the test. The rostrum is comparatively large; the mentum, I think, monomerous. Antennæ (fig. 22) short, thick, atrophied; and the seven joints of which they are composed are so compressed as to show apparently only three: it is not easy to make out the divisions. The last joint has a few hairs. The feet are entirely absent, and I have not been able to see maculæ in place of them, as is usual in some other apodous Lecanidæ.

On the pellicle at the top of the test may be seen remains of the test of the second stage. From this pellicle radiate to the edge four rows of rather large spinnerets secreting the test, each row starting from a point opposite the stigmata of the pellicle: and on turning over the test there are seen on the underside four corresponding lines of white cotton.

The skin of the insect is smooth and not tessellated.