230 J. L. HANCOCK. 



a paper we must leave the subject of tlie stages leaciing up to their 

 origin to be considered at another time. Some earlier naturalists 

 separated species on the ephemeral " color characters." As remarked 

 by Uhler and more recently reaffirmed by others, they are practically 

 of no classificatory significance. It is on the whole but proper to 

 speak ])rovisionally where variations are such a constituent part of 

 the organism that we no sooner are desirous of immortalizing our 

 iype than forces of evolution mold or modify the characters by 

 changing the lines of configuration in the monument raised in its 

 behalf. Such is a picture of the Tettigidse. Members are to be 

 received tentatively until a careful revison is formulated after the 

 descriptive stage has been completed in our North America forms. 



With reference to the general classification of the grouse locusts, 

 the excellent special essay by Bolivar,* aside from containing some 

 confusing statements on North American forms already noted by 

 Morse, is the most comprehensive work published. The absence of 

 pulvilli between the claws, the shape of the pronotum, which extends 

 backwards like a roof over the wings, often extending beyond the 

 end of the abdomen and the small loboform wing covers (elytra) 

 distinctly defines the group. 



To Brunner De Wattenwyll entomological science is indebted for 

 elevating the knowledge of the general relations of the Orthoptera 

 to a much higher |)lane. In his " Revision, "f page 102, this grouj) 

 is placed as the first of nine tribes constituting the orthopterous 

 division Acridiodie. The current bibliography in America is replete 

 with interesting [)apers. Especially noteworthy are articles by A. 

 P. Morse, which, besides giving biological notes of merit, also note 

 descriptions of new North American species. The writings of this 

 author include a synopsis of the Tettigid?e in " Notes on the Acrididie 

 of New England" " Psyche," October, 1894, and a serial paper (two 

 articles) on "New North American Tettiginaj" in Mar(;h and Sep- 

 tember numbers of the journal New York Entomological Society. 

 Jerome McNeill has contributed some valuable notes in " Indiana 

 Orthoptera," "Psyche," 1894. W. S. Blatchley has enriched the 

 literature in a serial pa[)or under the title of " Indiana Acrididie" iu 

 " Canadian Enton\ologist." 



* Essai sur les Acridiens do la tribu des Tettigidse (Ann. de la Soc. Entom. de 

 Belgiqiic, xxxi. 1887). 



t Rc'visidu (hi systeme des Ortlioperes. Genova, 1893. 



