300 W. D. FUNKHOUSER 



of no significance so far as the association between the two structures is 

 concerned, since in the very pubescent species the hairs arise as abundantly 

 from between the punctures as from their centers. Moreover, many 

 strongly punctate forms are entirely without hairs, while many hairy 

 forms are entirely without punctures. The association of the two, there- 

 fore, is believed to be accidental. 



Pubescence of various types is common thruout the family. It varies 

 from thick, tangled mats to sparsely occurring thin hairs. Such growth 

 occurs oftenest on the sides of the meso- and the metathorax and on the 

 lateral areas of the pronotum. Special regions that are inclined to pubes- 

 cence are noted in the discussion of the segments concerned. 



The colors of the exoskeleton are in the main somber and dull. As might 

 be expected from the phytophagous habits of the insects, the usual colors 

 run to greens, yellows, and browns. The body colors are generally brown 

 and black. A few tropical species show rather gaudy marldngs of red, 

 yellow, and orange, and these colors occasionally appear in the nymphs. 

 The colors in general, even the brighter ones, are permanent, with the 

 exception of the various shades of green, which fade in cabinet specimens. 

 Most colors, except the greens, change but little when the specimens are 

 preserved in alcohol. 



THE HEAD 



In its essential parts the head of the membracid differs little from those 

 of other Homoptera. It varies within the family in size and shape of the 

 sclerites, but shows little variation in their location or relative position. 



The position of the head varies decidedly and offers a good systematic 

 character in certain subfamilies (Buckton, 1903:10). The variation 

 ranges from an angle slightly greater than a right angle with the body, in 

 certain Smiliinae, to an almost prone position in many of the Centrotinae 

 (Plate XXX, 9-12). In no species does the head project straight forward 

 on a line with the body, and in practically all species, no matter what the 

 position of the head, the beak projects directly backward and lies between 

 the coxae when at rest. 



The compound eyes are large and prominent and are located at the extreme 

 lateral margins of the head. In most cases the thorax is hollowed out to 

 receive the eyes, and partly covers their upper and outer surfaces. 



Two ocelli are present. These are located on the cephalic margin of the 

 head, and their position with relation to each other and to the eyes is 



