206 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 



The Nipigon specimens exhibit great range of variation in size, 

 coloration, wing-length and in the development of the depression or notch 

 below the apical margin of the subgenital plate in the male. This 

 depression is not, as described by Scudder, the result of drying, but is 

 present in life, and all gradations exist between individuals in which the 

 apical margin is entire and only a shallow depression beneath it occurs, 

 and those in which the margin itself is as deeply or more deeply notched 

 than in Mel. atlanis. The former are typical Bruneri, while the latter 

 agree perfectly with Scudder's description and figure of Mel. Alaskanus. 

 A considerable series of specimens from Saskatchewan and Alberta exhibit 

 similar variations, but the Alaskanus type seems to be everywhere com- 

 paratively rare. The reduction of this supposed species to a variety of 

 Bruneri also unites two of Scudder's series in the genus Melanoplus, viz., 

 the Utahensis and the spretus series. 



As regards wing-length, no definite separation into macropterous and 

 brachypterous forms is possible, but the tegmina show considerable varia- 

 tion in length, in some scarcely reaching beyond the tips of the hind 

 femora, in others surpassing them by fully the length of the fore femora. 

 The majority fall between these extremes. One male from Nipigon is 

 remarkable for its large size and pale ochre-yellow coloration. It measures 

 as follows: Length of body, 25 mm.; pronotum, 5.5 mm.; tegmen, 20; 

 hind femur, 14. The largest female is from Fort William, and has also 

 the longest tegmina, relatively as well as actually. It measures as follows : 

 Length of body, 2S mm.; pronotum, 6 mm ; tegmen, 24 mm.; hind femur, 

 14 mm. 



This species was not met with at Temagami, but has been recorded 

 by the writer from the vicinity of Dwight, near Algonquin Park. They 

 were quite local here, and showed very little variation of any kind. 



18. Melano/>lus atlanis, Riley. 



This widely-distributed species was abundant in the fields and pas- 

 tures on Bear Island, Lake Temagami, and occurred in smaller numbers 

 in most of the clearings in the Temagami District. It was common in 

 fields at Fort William and at the base of Mt. McKay, but the only examples 

 observed at Nipigon were a few taken in a pasture across the river from 

 the village. As it was raining heavily when these specimens were captured, 

 only a few minutes were spent here and nothing else was taken. It is 

 noteworthy, however, that the only Melanopli seen here were atlanis, 

 while on the other side of the river Bruneri was the abundant species, 

 and no atlanis were taken. 



