XXXI, '20] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS 28 1 



The Santa Marta Region of Colombia from an 

 Orthopterological Viewpoint, with Deduc- 

 tions relative to Tropical American 

 Collecting. 



By Morgan Hebard, Philadelphia, Pa. 



In mid-July, 1920, Mr. James A. G. Rehn and the author 

 landed at Santa Marta, Colombia, for a month's intensive 

 collecting of Orthoptera. The conditions occurring in that 

 region were studied as far as was possible in the time avail- 

 able, including intensive examination of the different types 

 of environment found in each. The total number of speci- 

 mens secured was over 3600. including 241 species. 



The conditions examined may be roughly characterized 

 as follows: 



I. Vicinity of Santa Marta. Arid lowlands, generally 

 covered with a low open forest, of which acacia and tree 

 cactus are tw^o conspicuous components. In this area 

 irrigated meadowlands and cultivated shrubs and trees, 

 many of which bear rich foliage, were also examined. 



II. Vicinity of Aracataca. Hot and humid lowlands. 

 In this region uncleared forested areas occur, which due to 

 the very porous soil, are semi-arid, while in other parts a 

 similarly semi-arid but low and heavily matted scrub is 

 encountered. 



In one extensive section of rich soil a magnificent and very 

 high forest of huge macundo, ceiba and other trees is found, 

 the undergrowth in some places high and thick, with scattered 

 guarumo (Cecropia sp.), heavy stands of platanillo and a 

 thorned palm. 



Far reaching irrigated meadowdands of rich rank grasses 

 and banana plantations are on all sides, while about the town 

 are many vine-covered fences, groves of palma de vino, 

 balsa, almond and other trees. 



III. Vicinity of Hacienda Cincinnati, situated at an ele- 

 vation of 4500 feet on the northeastern slopes of San Lorenzo, 

 Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. Comparatively open but 

 lofty mountain forests with a dense and tangled undergrowth. 



