288 ORTHOPTERA OF NOVA SCOTIA. — PIERS. 



rare and local in distribution. Scudder observed it fre- 

 quenting the branches of the Dwarf Birch (Betula nana), 

 and says it is rarely or never seen on the ground. It is 

 hoped that these remarks will lead some of our local collectors 

 to search for it. 



Key to Nova Scotiax Species of Melanoplus and others liable to occub. 



Males. 



This key refers primarily j:o males, whose distinctive 

 characters are more pronounced than those of females. 

 As the form of the male cerci,, which are to be seen near the 

 end of the abdomen, is an important feature in the separation 

 of species, the student will find it well to refer to the accom- 

 panying figure which shows the characterictic forms of those 

 appendages. When the males are distinguished it is much 

 easier to separate the other sex. Females of femur-ruhrum and 

 atlanis present great difficulty in differentiation. The names 

 of species not yet actually reported from Xova Scotia are 

 enclosed in square brackets. A key which is applicable 

 to females follows this one. 



a. Wing-covers (except in female of extremus) about as long or longer than 

 abdomen. 



b. Cerci of male either equal in breadth or tapering beyond jniddle, the 

 tip usually slender or acuminate, never forked. 



c. Apex of subgenital plate of m.ale with a small but distinct . 

 median notch; cerci short and nearly equally broad throughout, 

 not longer than t-v\-ice the breadth at middle . . 15. atlanis, p. 290. 



cc. Apex of subgenital plate of male not notched; cerci at least three 

 times as long as middle breadth, the apical half sometinaes 

 much narrower than basal half (that is, it tapers in form). 



d. Hind tibiae bright red; apical half of male cerci much less 

 than half as broad as extreme base. .17. f emur-rubnmi, p. 297 . 



dd. Hind tibise pale red or yellowish; apical half of male cerci 

 distinctly more than half as broad as exireme ba.se; wing- 

 covers not surpassing hind femora, in male reaching nearly 

 tip of abdomen and in female shorter than abdomen (in 

 short-winged form, sometimes called M. extremus Junius), 

 or else wing-coA'ers surpassing hind femora (in cxtralimital 

 long-winged form, sometimes called M. extremus scan- 

 dens) 18. eoctrewus, p. 301. 



