214 Journal New York Entomological Society. [Vol. xx. 



were not correlated with differences in structure or maculation and that the 

 great value of the genitalia lies in the positive confirmation they afford of 

 specific differences less definitely indicated by other characters. Mr. Gross- 

 beck then outlined the work that has been done on genitalia, referring to the 

 papers of Herold, Kirby and Spence, Burmeister, de Haan, Scudder and 

 Burgess, White, Grosse and Pierce, showing on the screen the different parts 

 and the varying names that have been applied to them and expressing a regret 

 that a greater uniformity in this respect does not prevail. He passed next 

 to examples of insects superficially similar but readily differentiated by the 

 differences in the genitalia, which in each case were shown on the screen. 

 These included Pero morrisonatus, a boreal species, and Pero marmoratiis, a 

 species of the transition zone, which are very similar, distinguishable only 

 with difficulty unless fresh and perfect, but entirely unlike in genitalia. Cato- 

 pyrrlia coloraria. which has been listed with three varieties, but an inspec- 

 tion of the genitalia shows two distinct species are concerned. Selidosoma 

 sp., from San Diego, which appears to be a variable species until examina- 

 tion of genitalia shows that it is divisible into two sections which are then 

 found to be also divisible by color characters; the Glancina-Cccnochatis group 

 of about twenty species from the desert regions of the southwest, which afford 

 another instance of the value of genitalia in separating species ; Cicada 

 lyricen and siniilaris. which are practically indistinguishable from above, but 

 different beneath and totally unlike in genitalia. 



The paper was discussed by many of the members, all a.greeing as to the 

 value of the genital armature as a court of last resort. Mr. Leng called 

 attention to the papers by Verhoeff on the genitalia of Coleoptera. Mr. 

 Schaeffer spoke of the great value of the genitalia in Lachnostenia, especially 

 the females, which are practically inseparable otherwise ; which, however, as 

 has been demonstrated, are as variable as any other structures, but not 

 more so. Dr. Lutz referred to recent studies in Bonibus as confirmatory 

 of Mr. Grossbeck's statements and pointed out that an observed identity 

 in genitalia would aid in establishing synonymy as well as observed differences 

 would aid in establishing validity of similar species. Mr. Davis said that 

 genitalia might be similar, but species nevertheless distinct as in certain 

 Cicada. Dr. Osburn referred to the terminal abdominal appendages, homol- 

 ogous with claspers of other orders, in dragon flies as affording most valu- 

 able characters for classification. 



Mr. Davis then exhibited the recently published volume on the " Plants 

 of Southern New Jersey," by Witmer Stone, and called especial attention to 

 his division of the Coastal Plain in Southern New Jersey, viz : West Jersey 

 or Middle, Pine Barrens, Coastal Strip, Cape May and Maritime. Pie also 

 referred to the entertaining historical features of the volume and read ex- 

 tracts from the quoted letters of Dr. Torrey, dated in iSiS. Mr. Davis also 

 exhibited Hemiptera collected by himself in Florida last November and 

 determined by Mr. Barber. He said that many specimens were smaller than 

 the normal size for the same species. 



