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IX. Obsenaiions on some undescrihed or Uttle-lmown Species of Remiplera-Homoptem 

 of the Family Membracidae. By G. Bowdler Bucktox, F.B.S., F.L S. 



(Plates 21 & 22.) 



Eead 17th Kovembor, 1904. 



I HE efforts made during the last few years to systematize, in some natural manner, the 

 Homopterous family of MembracidiB liave met with varying success. Tlie somewhat 

 numerous species have hitherto engaged less attention from the entomologist than thev 

 deserve, though they constitute a remarkable group, in whicli diversity of form suggests 

 problems and theories on the effects of enviroomeut, and mimicry also, which will 

 exercise the patience of the experimentalist and the acumen of the biologist. The little 

 interest shown may partly be ascribed to The comparatively small size of some species, 

 Avhich necessitates an appeal to the microscope so as to reveal their chief characteristics ; 

 yet many entomological collections contain undescribed examples of these Hemiptera 

 which will repay the investigation into their distribution and life-history, &c. 



An examination of a few examples not hitherto described— or, at least, not adequately so 

 for identification — constitutes an excuse for offering some notes to the Linnean Society. 



Another cause of the entomologist's indifference may be the fact that very few repre- 

 sentatives of the family are known as denizens of Europe. Sj)ecies are mostly exotic to 

 England, and are at present most numerous!}' represented on the continents of JS'orth 

 and South America. The European sjiecies typified by Linuteus in Cent rot its cor nut us 

 and the American in 3Iembracis foliacea by Eabricius, are now expanded into several 

 subfamilies and numerous genera. 



The significance of their remarkable forms and their dejiendence on environment, 

 also on their protective and aggressive mimicry, have been discussed by Prof. Poulton. 

 To him and to the Rev. Canon Eowler, both Eellows of our Society, I am indebted for 

 information as to the economics of the species and their persistence throughout the 

 struggle for life. 



Where the man of science can frame a tenable hypothesis he often produces more 

 valuable fruit thnn the compiler of facts, however imanswerable these may be ; but the 

 work of the resolver of what appears to be a confusion into a consistent order has its value. 

 On this footing I offer to the Linnean Society tlie present contriliution. It is advanced 

 as tentative, and must be so until our knowledge of the life-history of !Membracidye shall 

 add to the bare facts now alone at our disposal. 



The recently published memoirs by W. AV. Eowler, in the ' Biologia Centrali- Americana ' 

 of Godraan and Salvin *, and my ' Monograph of the Mcmbracidoe ' f , may be consulted 



* liiol. Contr.-Amer., Kh) nch.-Homop. ('\V. W. i'owlcr), vol. ii. ;_1S94). 

 t- Moil. ilcmbracid» (Buckton; (100^). 

 SECOND SEIUES. — ZOOLOGY, VOL. IX. 



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