94 Studies in Kansas Insects. 



the existing attempts to distinguish where no differences are present and 

 may bring to light some variations in specimens of the same species 

 which have hitherto not been recorded, due perhaps to the locality of col- 

 lection and to the limited number of specimens at hand when the descrip- 

 tions were made. 



The present conclusions were reached after the study of about one 

 thousand specimens, collected for the most part by the author in western 

 Kansas during the summers of 1915 and 1916. Undoubtedly the central 

 location from which these specimens were taken give them a variation 

 which, while exceedingly confusing for the systematist with the present 

 literature, may lead us to the true relations of many forms now supposed 

 to be different, and may show the instability of many characters formerly 

 supposed to be distinguishing. For instance, many writers have based 

 their classification largely on the number of sulci intersecting the carina 

 of the pronotum, whereas in the specimens at hand all variations can be 

 found, from one to two distinct sulci in specimens which appear identical 

 in every other detail, and it would be impossible to differentiate them 

 into any number of groups on that character because of so complete a 

 series. 



The determinations of some of the specimens are questionable as yet. 

 It is hoped, however, that these may be definitely cleared up when the 

 breeding experiments, which have been commenced, are completed. 



Hippiscus rugosus Sc. 

 CE. rugosa Sc. Boston Journal of Natural History, vol. 7, No. 3; 1862. 



This species is closely allied to CE. discoidea. The head and thorax 

 are dark brown ; two yellowish bands run from behind the eye backwards 

 and inwards, nearly or quite meeting one another a little in advance of 

 the middle of the pronotum, where they converge and strike the hinder 

 edge of the pronotum at the outer angles; there are two yellowish spots, 

 one below the other, on the sides of the pronotum; the wing covers are 

 marked much as in CE. discoidea, but the dark blotches are larger and 

 fully as abundant, generally occupying the larger portion of the wings, 

 so that it might better be described as very dark brown with light 

 blotches; the tip of the wing cover is pellucid, nearly free of spots; the 

 wings are as in CE. discoidea, with the basal color pale yellowish instead 

 of red, and the apical portion less dusky than there. 



Length of body, male 1.1 in., female 1.4 in.; expanse of wings, male 

 1.9 in., female 3 in.; depth of wings, male .5 in., female .7 in. Four 

 specimens. 



This is one of the commonest species of Hippiscus in Kansas. It ap- 

 pears in adult form a little later than some of the others, but may be 

 found until after quite heavy frosts. It is very easily separated from all 

 the other species by the very peculiar frontal costa and vertex of the 

 fastigium. 



Measurements in Millimeters. 



Bodv. Tegmina. Pest, femora. 



Female 42.0-33.5 39.0-29.5 26.0-19.5 



Male 43.0-19.0 31.5-20.5 20.5-17.0 



(See fig. 46, page 71.) 



