188 NATURAL HISTORY OF ARTHROPODS. 



convex, entirely closing the body, and, with their strong midrib, closely resemble a 

 leaf. 



In a jorevious article we have described this species in the following language : " The 

 ovipositor of the female is almost as long as the abdomen, cimeter-shaped, sharp- 

 pointed, and with slight serrations on the lower edge toward the tip. Both sexes have 

 two thorn-like projections, on the breast, between the front legs, and the membran- 

 aceous spots on the dilated base of the front tibise are convex rather than concave, and 

 look like little pockets from above. The eggs are thrust by means of the sharp ovi- 

 positor, into crevices and soft substances, and probably, in a state of nature, into the 

 crevices of loose bark, or into the soft stems of woody plants. In the breeding cage I 

 have had pieces of cork filled with them, and they have often been crowded between 

 the crevices and sutures of my cages, especially where the cap rests on the cage proper. 

 These eggs are 0.25-0.30 inch long, very flat, over thrice as long as wide, pointed at 

 each end, with the edges bevelled off or emarginate. They are of a dark slate color, 

 and the lower or first inserted end is j)rotected by dark, adhesive substance, which 

 hardens and sometimes extends the whole length of one of the borders. Several eggs 

 are usually pressed close to each other." The southern species, Cyrtophyllus perspi- 

 cillatus differs from its northern ally in its shorter, but equally broad elytra, in the 

 slightly broader musical apparatus of the male, and in the stouter legs. 



Amhlycorypha rotundifolia is a small species with oblong elytra, which is very com- 

 mon throughout the Northern States and Canada. The ovipositor is quite broad, 



much curved and roughly serrated both 

 above and below. A. oblongifolia is a 

 large species found in the same locality 

 with the above. It has the ovipositor 

 less serrated and less curved. Amhly- 

 corypha caudata, which is a still larger in- 

 sect, and in which the ovipositor is very 

 I'lo. 265. -^«.6ij/<;or//p^7«Troterfi/o«a, round-winged j^^g^ jg ^^.^^ the Southern States. A. 



ithlerii is our smallest species, and is 

 common around Washington. Their eggs are slate-colored, and shaped like those 

 presently to be described. We have had them loosely laid in our vivaria, but the 

 structure of the ovipositor indicates that they are, in nature, secreted like those of 

 Cyrtop>hyllus. These katydids are closely allied to the members of the following 

 genus, which they resemble in many respects. 



The Angular-winged Katydid, Microcentruni retinenis, is our commonest North 

 American species, and as can be seen by reference to the illustration, has large and 

 ample wings, comparatively short but stout hind femora, and a short and much curved 

 ovipositor. As its habits have been more carefully studied than those of any of our 

 other katydids, we quote from the sixth report on the Insects of Missouri, wliere the 

 life history of the species has been fully set forth. 



" The females commence to oviposit early in September, and continue to lay at 

 intervals until the first severe frost. The eggs," which are oblong and flat, "are 

 occasionally deposited during the day, but the operation usually takes place at night. 

 Selecting a twig of about the size of a common goose-quill, this provident mother pre- 

 pares it for the reception of her eggs by biting and roughening the bark with her 

 jaws for a distance of two or three inches. This bite is not gradual, like that made 

 when feeding, but is sudden and vigorous, the insect chewing and pressing the twig 



