Readio: Ovipositors of Cicadellid.e. 241 



connection only slightly more heavily chitinized than the rest of the valve, 

 present on the dorsal edge in the basal region. 



Genus Mesamia Ball. 



Two species of this genus have been examined and found to be 

 similar. In each case the ovipositor consists of a curved basal at- 

 tachment, a somewhat wider portion that extends about to the mid- 

 point, and an apical portion which bears teeth along its dorsal edge. 

 A small preapical prominence is present on one of the two species. 

 Some of the primary teeth, at least, bear secondary teeth. In one 

 species the tip bears distinct teeth, in the other the tip is only irreg- 

 ularly roughened. The area of ducts is granular in appearance and 

 the duct openings are visible. The two valves of the pair are joined 

 one to the other by an elongate, heavily chitinized connection pres- 

 ent on the dorsal edge in the basal region. 



Mesamia straminea (Osborn). 



(PI. XXIX, fig. 9.) 



Length, 1.53 mm.; greatest width, 0.18 mm. Curved basal portion narrow 

 and rodlike, bej^ond base is a wider, heavity chitinized area extending almost to 

 the midpoint; the apical toothed area occupies the rest of the valve and is 

 slightly wider, less heavily chitinized, and tapers caudad to the apex; bears no 

 preapical prominence; slightly, though distinctly curved, tip narrowly rounded, 

 chitinization moderately heavy; strengthening rod extends caudad as far as 

 fourth dorsal tooth from the tip. Toothed area on dorsal edge occupies the 

 apical half; about twenty-five primaiy teeth present, of medium size, very 

 irregular as to size, shape and spacing; the apical ten are somewhat regular, 

 long and flatly rounded and may or ma}^ not bear a few secondaiy teeth on the 

 caudal edge, the teeth distad of these extremely irregular; the tip is irregularly 

 roughened on both dorsal and ventral edges, but bears no distinct teeth; area 

 of ducts granular in appearance, duct openings easily visible; open along ven- 

 tral apical edge, at extreme apex, along dorsal edge of toothed area, and in the 

 basal portion of the valve; the two valves of the pair are joined one to the 

 other by a distinct, elongate, heavily chitinized connection present on the 

 dorsal edge at about one-third the length; the apex is apparently strengthened 

 by a straight, narrow rod that extends from the interior of the valve to the 

 extreme apex, occupying about the apical .sixth of the length. 



Mesamia vitellina (Fitch). 



rPI. XXIII, fig. 7; pi. XXIX, fie. 10.) 



Length, 1.47 mm.; greatest width, 0.13 mm. Curved basal connection nar- 

 row and rodlike, widens out into broader area, which is about the same width 

 for entire length and toothed apically; a small preapical prominence is present 

 on the ventral edge; distinctlj^ curved, tip narrowed, narrowly rounded at ex- 

 treme apex, chitinization moderately heavy; strengthening rod extends caudad 

 as far as fifth dorsal tooth from apex. Toothed area on dorsal edge occupies 

 a little less than the apical half; teeth seventeen in number, rather small, in 



