HANCOCK 33 



with a firm grasp and drop the antennae downward; the color 

 becomes perceptibly paler, when shortly the skin splits over 

 the head region to the vertex in the median line, the rent then 

 extending backward over the dorsum. The head and anten- 

 nae are then released from the mask, which on loosening is 

 facing downward and forward ; the forward and middle pair 

 of legs and abdomen, and finally the hind legs, are extricated 

 in the order named. The larva, then completely free to act, 

 though not yet hardened, walks forward a little on the ground, 

 the posterior tibs somewhat bowed. Here, near the empty 

 cuticle, the insect remains to sun itself and take on the neces- 

 sary pigmentation, for the body is pale; a little darker, how- 

 ever, than when first born. The pronotum has not at first 

 materially changed, but soon commences to stretch out behind 

 into a rudimentary apical process. The head and bod}' become 

 more compact, and by comparison with the preceding stage 

 the modification of form is remarkable. The changes above 

 related take about an hour. 



LAST ECDYSIS AS ILLUSTRATED BY TETTIX ORNATUS 

 TRIANGULARIS. 



The last molt, which is the most striking feature of the 

 metamorphosis of Tettigians, is well illustrated by the follow- 

 ing observation made May 29th. The specimen, Tettix 

 ornatjis triangularis, had but one hind leg, but this did not 

 inconvenience the process. The insect grasped the ground 

 firmly with its claws, then inclining forward, with the antennae 

 lowered and spread downward, a series of jerking or convul- 

 sive movements of the insect's body occurred. This motion 

 included a rocking to and fro. Then the cuticle of the pro- 

 notum split at the median line of the dorsum and over the 

 top of the head; the head, antennae, and front pair of legs 

 were extricated in their turn, while lastly came the hind 

 femora. The wings, which were at first pale, unfurled at 

 the same time the elytra began to take their position at the 

 sides of the body. The apical process of the pronotum was at 

 first very soft and short, and also colorless, gradually stretch- 

 ing out to nearly the knee of the hind femora. The abdomen 



