(, si) 
soon to be described by Mr. W. L. Distant, were certainly all 
fresh when taken, and all were on a rough brown stem. One 
frequently finds isolated specimens feeding on green stems, and 
these are so wary that if one advances a finger they soon take 
the alarm and spring to a tremendous distance. In the early 
morning they are certainly more sluggish, but I doubt if one 
could catch them even then with the fingers.” * 
Dr. Jacobi had also contended—and for similar reasons— 
that the resemblance of certain South American Membracidae 
to ants was without significance from the point of view of 
mimicry :— 
“Poulton has attributed to several genera of these truly 
wonderful insects a mimetic significance as myrmecoids. In 
the genera Heteronotus and Hemiconotus the bladder-like, 
inflated pronotum, extending backwards almost to the apex 
of the wings, lends to some species a startling similarity to the 
body of an ant, and, seen from above, obliterates the rest of 
the body. Even the tubercles on the petiole of the Myrmicidae 
are reproduced. Yet this is only a case of ‘ Pseudomimicry.’ 
Ohaus, who observed these creatures in Brazil, informs me 
that their behaviour bears no comparison to that of the restless 
activity of ants: like all Cicadas they usually sit motionless 
on one spot, and if disturbed, they reach safety by means of 
their splendid jumping powers ” (p. 106). 
Here too it was quite obvious that the resemblance to an 
ant might be, and almost certainly was, extremely valuable 
even to a motionless insect which, when approached too closely, 
could defend itself in a manner very different from that 
* I have received the following note on the Uganda Membracidae 
from Dr. G. D. H. Carpenter.—E. B. P. 
**T am afraid I have hitherto paid very little attention in the field 
to the}Membracidae. It has seemed to me, however, that they can 
jump vigorously, yet they take rather a long time to make up their 
mind about it. A Membracid will walk about over a finger for quite 
a long time, and will even allow itself to be poked before it will 
finally; leap. Perhaps, however, it requires a suitable ‘ take-off’ place 
from which to jump. 
“‘A species common in Uganda has a large hook curving backwards 
from the shield. I have found this one in the gut of a green frog; and 
when dissecting the frog found it difficult to believe that it had not 
swallowed a thorn. It seemed almost as if the sharp hook must 
perforate the gut.” 
Oxford, May 25, 1913. 
