Canadian Orthoptera. 39*7 



being conical and extending to a point between the eyes, 

 and by the long, straight ovipositor of the female. Cono- 

 cephalus ensiger, Harris, is the only species recorded from 

 Canada. It is of a pale, green color, the head whitish, and 

 the legs and abdomen brownish green; it measures from 

 an inch and three-quarters to two inches in length. 



The female has been observed, by Prof. S. I. Smith, with 

 its ovipositor forced down between the root leaves and the 

 stalk of a species of Andropogon, where the eggs are proba- 

 bly deposited. Toronto, common, and Ontario, general, 

 Brodie. Not recorded from the Province of Quebec. 



During the latter part of summer, numbers of small fra- 

 gile-looking grasshoppers may be found in damp fields. 

 They belong to the genus Xiphidium, of which we have 

 three species in Canada. 



-Xiphidium fasciatum, Sew. The general color of this species 

 is green, with a brown stripe on top of the head, and its 

 thorax bordered on each side with darker brown. The 

 dorsal surface is brown, with a yellow stripe on each side, 

 and below this again is a narrow brown strip. 



The ovipositor bends abruptly down at the base and is 

 then straight to the tip. Length, three-quarters of an inch 

 from head to tip of the wings, which are a little longer than 

 the wing-covers. Eecorded by Provancher as very com- 

 mon in August and September in Province of Quebec ; 

 Montreal, common, Caulfield; Toronto, common, and Onta- 

 rio, generally, to north of Lake Superior, Brodie. 



Xiphidium brevipennis, Scudder, is now generally believed 

 to be only a variety of fasciatum. Common in same locali- 

 ties as preceding species. 



I have not heard either of these species shrilling. 

 According to Mr. Scudder, " Xiphidium makes a note very 

 similar to Orchelimum, but so faint as to be barely percepti- 

 ble even close at hand." 



Prof. Eiley states that X. fasciatum oviposits in the cone 

 like willow gall (Salicis strobiloides.) 



Xiphidium saltans, Scudder, is our rarest species, and 

 appears to be confined to the North-West. Souris Eiver. G-. 

 M. Dawson. 



