136 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 



species when superficial characters left it in doubt. It has removed 

 individual judgment as a factor in many cases and allows a final appeal 

 in cases of difference. There is no universal test character, however, and 

 as with all others so sexual characters sometimes fail. Over one hundred 

 species referred to Cai-fieades have so nearly the same form of structure 

 that there is no sufficient variation to have specific value in doubtful 

 cases. In some other groups, however, no two species are alike, and the 

 widest variance within generic limits allows definite specific limitation.' 



" As I wrote the description of CE. Alberta and the paragraph im- 

 mediately following, I may be allowed to point out for the information of 

 anyone who may be disposed to accept Mr.W. H. Edwards's statement 

 that Alberta and variina cannot be distinguished from each other, that 

 the former may be distinguished from the latter (amongst other points) by 

 the whitish veins on the hindwing below, the absence of fulvous colouring 

 except on the hindwing above, and the presence of a tooth or projection 

 near the middle of the upper edge of the clasp in the male ; all which 

 particulars appear, with others, in the description in question." 



James Edwards, Colesborne, Cheltenham, England." 



April 2nd, 1894. 



NEW NORTH AMERICAN HOMOPTERA, No. VIII. 



BY E. P. VAN DUZEE, BUFFALO, N. Y. 



I, Athysanus anthracinus, ;/. sp. 



Allied to A. plutonius, Uhl. Deep, black, highly polished, tibise and 

 tarsi of the anterior and intermediate feet yellow. Length, 3^ mm. 



Head shorter and more rounded before than in pltdofiius, closely 

 punctured. Vertex ^3 longer on the middle than next the eye, sloping 

 and strongly rounded to the base of the front, median carina very feeble; 

 ocelli and two dots on the hind margin fulvous. Antennae, the basal 

 joint excepted, pale; about six obscure arcs on the front and. the 

 rostrum, excepting its tip, fulvous. Sides of the clypeus parallel, tip 

 feebly rounded. Knees, tibise and tarsi of the anterior and inter- 

 mediate feet pale yellow ; slender hind edge of the ventral segments 

 fulvous. Pronotum obscurely wrinkled, more prominently rounded 

 before than in pliitonius. Scutellum closely punctured. Elytra almost 

 coriaceous, deep piceous black, shagreened ; nervures inconspicuous. 

 Wings deep smoky brown, nervures blackish. 



