62 TETTIGID^E OF NORTH AMERICA 



Syn. Acrid. N. Am., V., 190 (1873); Fernald, Orth. N. Eng., 

 48; Batrachidea cristata, Harris, Morse, Psyche, 54, 107(1894); 

 Nomotettix cristatus, Morse, Psyche, VII., 150, 152, pi. 6, 

 figs. I, la-d (1894); Blatchl., Can. Ent., XXX., 64 (1898); 

 Morse, Psyche, VIII., 320 (1899); Scudd., Cat. Orth. U. S., 

 15 (1900); Smith, Ins. N. J., 158 (1900); .Scudd., Index N. 

 Am. Orth., 209 (1901). 



Through the generosity of Professor Morse, the author 

 had an opportunity of examining twenty specimens which had 

 been taken 7\pril 22, 1899, in Massachusetts, and four days 

 later the colors were still preserved. On first examining the 

 specimens the colors were quite vivid, but after softening 

 them for mounting the daylight exposure caused a rapid 

 change in coloration. In some specimens four rich black 

 spots upon the dorsum of the pronotum were conspicuous, the 

 posterior pair being the largest. These were bounded laterally 

 sometimes by a light, almost white, line not appreciable in 

 cabinet specimens. The black spots are sometimes obscure, 

 being replaced by a plain gray, or there occurs an evident 

 attempt at fusion of the spots into imperfect longitudinal 

 bands. A light yellowish white inclosure may appear (as a 

 spot) between the dark spots on the pronotal disc. 



In writing of Nomotettix cristatus in Massachusetts, Pro- 

 fessor Morse says: 



"This species lives on light sandy soils, but especially in 

 dry pastures and other wild land sparsely covered with a 

 scanty growth of curling tufts of Danthonia grass, scraps of 

 Cladonia lichens, and the leathery leaves of Antennaria. It 

 is perhaps more plentiful in damper portions of such localities, 

 but differs much from the other species of the subfamily in 

 this particular, the others |jreferring soils perpetually moist or 

 even the shores of lakes or streams." 



Locality, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New lingland .States. 



