Myers. — Revision of the New Zealand Cicadidae. 245 



This is a well-marked green variety which sometimes bears a great 

 superficial resemblance to M. muta, from which it is readily distinguished 

 by the pale median stripe of the pronotum. Its note also seems inter- 

 mediate between that, of M. cruentata (type) and that of M . muta. 



" That this is no more than a variety is proved by the fact that 

 specimens have been known to mate with the typical red variety of the 

 species." (Hudson.) 



This is such a distinct variety that further study may justify its 

 elevation to specific rank. 



Distribution. — Silverstream, Wellington (T. Cockcroft) : Mount Arthur 

 and Dun Mountain, Nelson ; Arthur's Pass ; Tapuaenuku, Kaikoura 

 Mountains ; Murchison. 



7. Melampsalta fuliginosa n. sp. (Plate XL VI, fig. 2, ?.) 



£. Head black. Notum uniform dead-black with slight scattered indica- 

 tions of golden pubescence. Abdomen black with silver median dorsal stripe. 

 Segmental margins laterally olivaceous. Ventral surface fuscous brown. 

 Abdominal segments edged with paler. 



In size, shape, and ratio of body-length to tegmen-lenath resembles 

 M. cruentata. Long. corp. 21 mm. ; tegmen, 21 mm. 



Distribution. — Wellington. One specimen. February. 



This is described from a unique female specimen. It may possibly 

 prove, when a series can be obtained, to be only an extreme variety of 

 the highly variable M. cruentata. However, in the absence of anv inter- 

 mediate forms it seems at present sufficiently distinct. 



8. Melampsalta indistincta n. sp. (Plate XL VI : fig. 7, $ ; fig. 8, $.) 



Eyes brown. Head pubescent, brownish-grey. Vertex with central pale 

 area. Pronotum dark-brownish with small lateral dark streaks obscured 

 by white pubescence. Median line of pronotum pale-yellowish, edged with 

 darker and expanding to full width at edge of mesonotum, though interrupted 

 by two black spots. Mesonotum black with two olive-brown lateral streaks. 

 Abdomen black with indications of a pale median dorsal streak and with 

 segmental margins pale brown at the sides. Sides of abdomen with silvery 

 pubescence. Cruciform elevation pale with black apex. Costa and veins 

 pale-brownish. Ventral surface — <$ pale brown with black median area, 

 Q uniform pale yellowish-brown. 



Long. corp. 14-17 mm. ; tegmen, 17-20 mm. 



Distribution. — Pipiriki, Wanganui River, Auckland (Hudson); Pae- 

 kakariki. " Amongst boulders in hot sunshine. Note very distinctive." 

 January. 



This little species was discovered by Mr. Hudson. 



9. Melampsalta cincta Walk. (Plate XLV, fig. 11, (J.) 



Cicada cincta Walk., Cat. Horn. B.M., 204, 1850. C. muta var. 

 minor Hudson, Trans. N.Z. Inst., vol. 23, p. 52, 1891. 

 Genercd colour tawny or reddish with black markings. Pronotum with 

 pcde median longitudinal band containing posteriorly two distinct black dots. 

 Two diagonal black streaks laterally. Mesonotum heavily marked with 

 black; a faint silvery median streak. Approximately anterior third oj 

 abdomen black, remaining segments edged posteriorly with red, especially* 

 laterally. Silvery median longitudinal streak varying in intensity. Bases 

 of tegmina and wings brilliant red. Anal area of wing outlined more or 



