NORTH AMERICAN ACRIDIID^. 47 



Transition zone. Sylvan, in shrubby growth among pines on 

 dry, stony soil. The types were taken in the vicinity of the High 

 Rocks. 



Melanoplus sylvestris Morse. 



Melanoplus sylvestris. Psyche, XI, 10(1904). 



"This species also is a near relative of islandicus Blatchl., 

 differing chiefly in the form of the male cerci, which, while of the 

 same general structure, are narrower at base and have the distal 

 half bent slightly upward and drawn out into a slender, compressed, 

 substyliform tip, the whole appendage being once and three-quarters 

 or twice as long as the width of base. The prosternal spine is very 

 variable, ranging from subcylindrical with bluntly rounded tip to a 

 more usual conical form with rounded apex. 



"Seven males, seven females, Blowing Rock, Watauga Co., 

 N. C., July 19. Two females, Linville, Mitchell Co., N. C., July 

 18. Six males, six females, Coverings', Burke Co., (between Mor- 

 ganton and Pineola), July 13. Two females, Pineola, Mitchell Co., 

 N. C., July 13 ; one male (?) same place, Aug. 28. All at eleva- 

 tions of 3500 to 4000 ft. 



" The three species, islandicus, celatus, and sylvestris are evi- 

 dently nearly related descendants of the same parent form, modified 

 by isolation. Intergrades may yet be discovered. The male from 

 Pineola is included with some doubt owing to differences in structure 

 and season." 



(See Fig. 2, p. 46 drawing of male cercus.) 



North Carolina : Blowing Rock, July 19 ; Linville, July 18 ; Lovering's, 

 July 13 ; Pineola, July 13, Aug. 28. 



Transition zone in its colder parts. Sylvan, inhabiting cold 

 deciduous forests, where it leaps actively about among the under- 

 growth of Vaccinium, Gaultheria, Galax, etc. 



Melanoplus similis Morse. 



Melanoplus similis. Psyche, XI, 9 (1904). 



4 ' Very similar to viridipes and deceptus. The tip of the abdo- 

 men is less clavate and upturned, the basal half of the cerci 

 tapers rapidly on the dorsal side to less than half the width of the 

 base, sides of distal half parallel, apex transversely excised, the 

 angles rounded, the dorsal one slightly more prominent ; the ventral 

 margin is nearly straight, though slightly concave and sinuous, the 

 dorsal margin strongly concave in the middle, convex at base. 



1 ' In color and markings this species strongly resembles viridipes 

 and deceptus, but possesses distinctive characters in the markings of 



