MEANING OF SHAPES AND COLOUHS OF THE MEMBRACID^E. 11 



Biologia, is justly described by Mr. Buckton as " one of the most conspicuous amongst 

 the Membracicla" (p. 111). The figure strongly suggests warning or mimetic 

 colouration, but a possible cryptic resemblance to a brilliant fungus, fruit, or flower- 

 bud, should not be left out of account in the search for an interpretation, 



In Hcteronoins (Plate XXX.) the resemblance of the pronotal shield to an ant has 

 already been noted. The relation of the ant-like mask to the insect as a whole is 

 well seen in tlie various figures of Plate XXX. Thus, the dorsal view shows only the 

 mask with wings and legs and part of the head (Figs. 2 and 6a). The lateral view 

 shows no more when the wings and tegmina are uomewhat opaque, and are 

 represented in the position which is probably natural during rest (Figs. 1, 3, 4). 

 When they are more transparent, as in Fig. 6, the abdomen may be seen through 

 them, but it is probable that in the natural attitude this part of the body would be 

 raised, and thus, at least, partially hidden by the underside of the mask. When, 

 in a drawing of the side-view, the wings are represented as raised (Figs. 2a 

 and 5), or when the insect is drawn from below (Fig. 4a), the true relationship 

 of mask and insect proper is seen, and the entirely Homopterous character of 

 the insect, as a whole, in spite of its Hymenopteron-like shield, will be at once 

 appreciated. In HeferonofKS frinodosKS, figured in Canon Fowler's monograph in 

 the Biologia Centrali-Americana (I'late VT., Figs. IG, IGa, and 17), a bead-like 

 dilatation is present in the part of the shield which represents the peduncle or 

 stalk connecting the thorax and abdomen of an ant. This structure is evidently in 

 mimetic resemblance of the bead-like enlargement of the peduncle in the Mi/njiiciche, 

 the family of stinging ants which are specially characteristic of South America. 

 This interesting detail in the likeness between model and mimic was pointed 

 out to me by Mr. W. F. H. Blandlbrd. Mr. Buckton considers that some of the 

 species of this genus mimic striped spiders. If this be the case the resemblance 

 would probably be to spiders which are themselves mimetic of ants, as are many of 

 the Attldts. Observation upon the spot is, above all, necessary in order to settle the 

 question ; but should it hereafter be decided in the affirmative, another example would 

 probably be added to the many known instances of that secondary likeness between 

 the mimics of some primary model which appears to be a sure indication of Mlillerian 

 (synaposematic) resemblance {Tram. Eiit. Soc. Loud, 1902, pp. 511-515). Another 

 interesting subject which must be studied upon the spot is the investigation of the 

 movements and habits of the mimetic Memhracidce, and especially these ant-like forms. 

 Mimics of ants are, as a rule, markedly ant-like in their movements, and we should 

 expect this to be the case with the Mcmbracida, but so far as I am aware no special 

 observations have been made upon them. 



The concluding genus Comboijhora, and sub-genus AiicIiit<frofin^, of the Dannnce 



