326 TERTfARY INSECTS OF NORTH AMERICA. 



This genus is the most abundantly representetl in individuals of any of 

 the Homoptera of Florissant. It is also rich in species. In neuration it 

 agrees very closely with Triecphora and Tomaspis, but is much slenderer 

 than they, has a pattern of coloration (explained under the first species) 

 peculiarly its own, while the hind tibia? have two pairs of spines, and the 

 tarsi are apically spinous in a similar manner. The length of the terminal 

 tarsal joint and the orbicular form of the head are also characteristic. 



Six species have been i-ecognized, which may be separated by the fol- 

 lowing table : 



Tiibh: of the apecies of Palecphniri. 



Of lurge size. Fore wings more or less liistinctly spotted. 



Apical spots couiieeled )>y a baud horderiag the wliole apex. 



A distinct spot in the center of the basal half of the wing 1. P. maciilata. 



No spot in the center of the basal half of the wing 2. /'. palffmia. 



No band bordering the apes. 



Veins of the fore wings distinct, especially the cross-veins on the outer half of the costal bor- 

 der; spots numerous and usually distinct 3. P. marinnei. 



Veins of the fore wing indistinct, the spots usually more or less obscure, only that near the end 

 of the sutura clavi distinct. 

 Most of the spots of the margins of the wing traceable but obscure, excepting as above. 



4. P. commuuis. 

 Most of the spots of the margiusof the wiug wholly obliterated, except as above, but the 



base of the costa usually infuscated 5. P. pri:n'a!en«. 



Of medium size. Fore wings uuicolorous 6. P. inornata. 



1. Palecphoka maculata. 



PI. 20, Figs. 10, 17. 



This is the most profusely spotted of all the PalecphorjB. The head 

 and body are uniformly dark, and the wings membranous and without 

 markings, but the tegmina are generally very distinctly and always very 

 abundantly marked with dark fuliginous, subequal spots on a pale ground. 

 There is a heavy basal striga on the costal margin, thickening distally, all 

 within the basal fifth of the wing, and accompanied by a triangular oppos- 

 ing cloud on the scutellar margin, reaching the tip of the scutellum and 

 leaving between it and the basal striga only a narrow, longitudinal strip of 

 pale ground at the base of the veins ; next the opening of this, at the basal 

 parting of the veins, is another longitudinally triangular spot ; at the middle 

 of the wing, seated on the costal margin and on the sutura clavi but not 

 invading the clavus, is a pair of further spots subquadrate or subtriangu- 

 lar, their apices directed iilili(|n('h' inwnnl niid towards the apex; in the 



