398 W. D. FUNKHOUSER 



The commonest method of locomotion is merely walking about over 

 the host. In this process all three pairs of legs seem to be equally 

 functional. The movement is generally slow and deliberate, but when 

 disturbed the insect is able to scramble rapidly around the twig in a rather 

 awkward and amusing fashion. Both nymphs and adults adopt this 

 method as the ordinary means of progress. The nymphs, of course, are 

 unable to fly and in no case has a nymph been seen to attempt anything 

 resembling a leap. 



At this point in the discussion of habits it may be well to mention 

 the subject of care of the young, or maternal affection, which has been 

 given rather general circulation in connection with the Membracidae. 

 The theory apparently origmated in a report by Miss Murtfeldt (1887) 

 which has been given wide credence and has often been quoted (for example, 

 by Kirkaldy, 1906). Miss Murtfeldt describes the finding of an egg 

 cluster of Entylia sinuata, with a female on the leaf, and expresses sur- 

 prise that the insect did not fly away when touched but remained on the 

 leaf while the latter was carried to the house and later after the eggs 

 had hatched. The significant statement is made, however, regarding the 

 female insect that " although I would not assert that she made any demon- 

 strations of affection, she certainly seemed to enjoy having them [the 

 nymphs] around her." This appears to be the total evidence for belief 

 in the maternal solicitude which is attributed to the Membracidae. The 

 truth is that the species in question is one of the most sluggish of all the 

 membracids, and the most persistent in clinging to the host plant. The 

 writer has often carried a thistle covered with Entylias for several miles 

 along a country road without dislodging the specimens. Moreover, 

 when an attempt is made to take the insect from the leaf, the insect not 

 only does not spring off, but actually seems to cling more tightly to the 

 hairy surface of the leaf to escape being captured. The experience of 

 Miss Murtfeldt is therefore not unusual, nor is the behavior of the mem- 

 bracid in the case at all unnatural, and it is unlikely that the theory of 

 maternal affection as based on her report can be proved. Efforts to 

 substantiate such a theory by observation of local forms have yielded 

 no evidence in its favor. Many forms have the habit of clinging closely 

 to their host plant if disturbed, and this is true whether or not there are 

 eggs or nymphs on the plant with them. 



