THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST 211 



be seen in a true dorsal view, irrespective of any carinae which 

 may appear to separate the vertex from frons. The term apex 

 indicates the most anterior portion, considering the labrum as the 

 most anterior of the dorsal portion of the head, irrespective of its 

 deflexion. 



With the increase in the number of known species and of our 

 knowledge, it becomes necessary to divide and subdivide the 

 groups of species included in the various sections of the Fulgorids; 

 whether we consider the main divisions as families or subfamilies 

 is a matter of personal opinion. Personally the writer thinks it 

 is more natural and expedient to consider the Delphacids as a 

 familv, and the divisions as subfamilies. He holds the same 

 opinion in regards to the Derbids, a group not so well defined as 

 the Delphacids, It is more likely that future workers will follow 

 Kirkaldy in this matter than those who wish to contain the whole 

 of the Fulgorids (sens lat.) in one family. 



The classification of this family, whatever arrangement we 

 may use, shows parallel development and convergence. Arranged 

 in the present order we see parallel development in carination of 

 head and thorax, in lengthening and broadening of vertex and in 

 the proportional length of joints of legs in each of the divisions. 

 Another point clearly shown is the improbability of most or all of 

 the characters used for taxonomic purposes being of vital import- 

 ance to the individual or species. The spur is sometimes stated 

 to be of US2 in jumping, but other Homoptera jump equally well 

 without a spur; even if this argument be allowed can it be shown 

 that one form of spur is superior to another? 



The fact that a genus is included in the table does not imply 

 that the wr ter considers it a good genus, there are several he 

 considers it advisable to sink, but not without greater knowledge 

 of the variation within the genera than he possesses at present. 



The genera n^t located are: — Calligypona, placed by Ashanin 

 after Chlorionidea, but not mentioned by Melichar in his 

 Homoptera of middle Europe; Epeurysa, placed after Eiirysa 

 by Matsumura ; Dichoneura, a South American genus which 

 Crawford places, probably correctly, in the writer's Section B of 

 the Delphacini; Alestus, the specimens marked morio (type 

 species) that the author possesses do not agree with the original 

 description; Zuleika placed by Distant near Dicronotropis. 



