72 W. L. Distant: Mr. Kirby on the Hemiptera of Ceylon. 



species of Gicada. His denial of my Identification can remain 

 as it Stands. It is clear at the time of writing he had no idea 

 ot the existence of the Fabrician description nor of its elucidation 

 by his „unreliable" Dr. Stäl. 



Pomponia elegans Kirby = Terpnosia Psecas Walk. When 

 I examined these species at the request of Mr. Kirby, at the 

 British Museum, I pointed out this synonymical error to his 

 notice and he compared his type with severalspecimensof the 

 T. Psecas as arranged by Walker himself. I certainly understood 

 him to say he had overlooked Walker's species and he as 

 certainly did not attempt to show any differences. The specimens 

 are all in the British Museum and I therefore fail to see the 

 force of the remark that „no further light has been thrown on 

 this question", and to understand what further light is required. 



Pomponia Greeni Kirby = Pomponia Ransonneti Dist. Mr. 

 Kirby writes „I Ihink the two insects are really identical". 

 a surmise I think he will find no one to contest. 



Gicada apicalis Kirby = Tihicen nuhifurca Walk. It is 

 now stated that this new species of Gicada „may be a small 

 pale specimen" oiTibicen nuhifurca, It is something to have the 

 generic error acknowledged and as the „types" of both are in 

 the British Museum , any one can satisfy himself as to their 

 absolute identit}^ 



I therefore reproduce with much satisfaction, Mr. Kirby's 

 concluding remark on the subject ,.so much for the present as 

 regards Distant's identifications of my Cicadae". 



I write these remarks strongly as an entomologist , and 

 in no way personally discourteous to Mr. Kirby with whom 

 I have had a long acquaintance and for whom I have a sincere 

 respect. But the strictures he has compelled me to make in 

 reply to his illadvised communication are those of one who has 

 studied for years the Rhynchota and endeavoured to increase 

 cur knowledge of the same, and who knowing the difficulties 

 of the subject would deprecate „hasty and perfunctory work". 

 I therefore earnestly entreat Mr. Kirby to leave — for a time 

 at least — the Rhj'nchota alone , and I will promise him the 

 sincere gratitude of all students of the order. 



