this genus, but on the basis of the gall alone this species should belong to the American Pacific Coast subgenus Antron. The insect is, nevertheless, typical of European Cynips and so close to the divisa-agama-disticha group of insects that it would be difficult to distinguish cornifex adults without the galls.
Cornifex is poorly represented in the literature and, as far as I can judge, in the European collections, only 17 locality records having accumulated in the 85 years that have elapsed since Hartig first described the species. The known range of cornifex closely parallels that of flosculi, the Mediterranean variety of Cynips folii. Whether cornifex will ultimately be found in the Spanish peninsula and in northern Africa, or whether it has Asiatic affinities which may account for a restricted range in Mediterranean Europe as well as the peculiar form of the gall, are data which we will await with interest.
The young galls of cornifex appear in June, and the insects are mature by September (acc. Kieffer 1901). Mayr (1882) recorded emergence in November and December. Biologic data beyond this seem to be lacking. The distinct character of the agamic gall even introduces some doubt whether the alternating, bisexual form will prove to be of the type so uniform among the other species of this subgenus. Riley (1895) is, of course, in error in suggesting that Syntomaspis lazulina (which is a chalcidid) is the bisexual form of our present cynipid!
Massalongo (acc. Darboux and Houard 1907) has published notes on the histologic structure of these galls.
Hartig originally published this species as of Kollar's manuscript. Since Kollar never published the description elsewhere, Hartig has usually been considered the author of the species, tho it might well be contended that he intended to name Kollar as author. Hartig's original spelling, carnifex, meaning hangman or executioner, can surely be proved to be a lapsus for cornifex, meaning horn bearer. Under Article 19 of the International Rules we seem to find an opportunity to be legal as well as reasonable and to write cornifex as practically all other authors have written it.
