218 
Tettigometridae, and it cannot be considered as more primitive 
than some existing fulgorids. Handlirsch placed Prosbole hir- 
suta Koken in the Palaeohemiptera. Tillyard considered that it 
is not on the direct line of descent of the Heteroptera, but on 
a side line, nearly allied to Dunstama Tillyard, which he con- 
sidered as in the direct line. In Prosbole the Sc and R are amal- 
gamated to slightly before the node, a condition common in the 
Homoptera, but, so far as I know, not found in the Heterop- 
tera. There is no sign of a median furrow, and the anal furrow 
is behind the cubitus in the normal homopterous position, 
whereas in the Heteroptera it is normally before the cubitus. 
As we have only the venation to judge by, I should place Pros- 
bole among the Homoptera in the Tropiduchidae. The heterop- 
terous condition found in Prosbole occurs in several genera of 
the Tropiduchidae, especially among the Tambiniini. 
Fossil Homoptera are not very numerous, but the few we 
know, especially the Mesozoic, are of great interest. They dem- 
onstrate beyond any doubt the great antiquity of the order. In 
the Mesozoic Homoptera of Australia we find the two great 
superfamilies of the Auchenorhynchi completely established. 
The Cercopidae, Ciccadellidae, and Cicadidae are completely 
differentiated, and the Fulgoroidea are also represented. This 
indicates that we must go back far beyond that period for the 
origin of the order, or believe that evolution proceeded at a 
very much greater rate before than after the Trias. 
The following table is not considered final, as further study 
in some of the families may change my views; and in the process 
of time, and with accumulated knowledge, some of them are 
sure to be divided. Neither is the table completely satisfactory, 
as the division between one or two of the families may not 
prove to be complete. Such a case is that between those Cixiidae 
without a median ocellus and with lateral carinae on the clypeus, 
and the Dictyopharidae. But the student soon becomes familiar 
with the facies of these insects and recognizes them at once. 
TABLES OF THE FAMILIES OF THE FULGOROIDEA. 
J. (2) Antennal flagellum segmented. No mobile spur on hind tibiae. 
Lateral ocelli not outside the lateral carinae of frons; lorae 
plainly visible in full view forming a continuous curve with 
PANO EN waahecinn occ od boa doeo° ob a onaG se Tettigometridae 
