866 MR, NELSON ANNANDALE ON THR [ Dee. 4 
VII. Tun Usk or THE SPINES OF CERTAIN ORTHOPTERA. 
The Locustid (Humegalodon blanchardi). 
Colour and Form.—The whole exposed surface of this well- 
known and peculiar form is coloured pale brown, speckied, but 
not in any very marked way, with a darker shade. Its coloration 
bears a general, and by no means highly specialized, resemblance 
to a withered leaf. 
The most peculiar features of its external form are the enormous 
stoutness of the head and jaws, and the well-developed thorn-like 
processes on the thorax. 
Habits.—The only specimen secured was captured in a rice-field, 
then partially flooded, at Belimbing in the Ulu Legeh, on July 22nd. 
I was crossing the swamp towards a solitary tree of large size that 
erew on the embankment halfway across. When about ten 
yards distant from this tree, 1 noticed what appeared to be a 
dead leaf falling from one of its lower branches at a height of 
perhaps eight feet from the ground. Judging from the way it fell 
that the leaf must have something, perhaps a chrysalis, attached 
to it, I left the embankment and waded to the place where it had 
touched the ground, and was surprised to find a fine male specimen 
of Eumegalodon seated motionless on the damp earth. It made 
no attempt to escape but did its best to defend itself with its 
really formidable mandibles, a bite from which would have taken 
a piece right out of the finger. 
Remarks.—It. is very dangerous to generalize from a single 
instance of this sort; but the behaviour of ‘the insect was interesting, 
and may possibly cast some light on the use of the peculiar spines 
on its back. I am sure, from the rapidity with which it fell and 
from its appearance while in the air, that the wings were folded 
as it dropped from the tree; I am also convinced that it dropped 
and did not leap down. Supposing that its usual habit is to 
descend thus—and I have no reason to suppose that the behaviour 
of my specimen was at all peculiar—it is easy to see that its 
spines, combined with the sturdy build of the anterior part of its 
body, might assist greatly in breaking its fall, should it strike 
against anything hard or sharp ; ; for necessarily it would fall head 
downwards, the head and thorax being heavier than the abdomen. 
This suggestion does not interfere with the view that these 
structures may also be of use in defending the imsect against its 
enemies, whatever they may be, should it be attacked from behind; 
in which ease its jaws could not assist it; very possibly it may 
drop from the tree to escape assailants. Professor Meldola has 
suggested the same use for the hairs and spines on caterpillars. 
VIII. Tap pucuniar PrononGatrion oF THE HEAD IN CERTAIN 
FULGORID®, AND ITS USE, 
Hotinus, Pyrops, &c. 
The curious anterior prolongation of the head in many genera 
of the Fulgoride has long puzzled entomologists, and some have 
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