90 



has a length of 4 mm , or, including the cottony secretion, 4.5 mm , and a 

 width of 1.2 mm . This stage is somewhat paler than the preceding, 

 being pale yellow or whitish, some individuals being dusky, or in 

 some cases somewhat darker green. In all cases they show the effect 

 of the subterranean habit, although not totally devoid of the green 

 color which may be associated with existence on foliage. In this 

 respect they are pretty nearly parallel with some of the species of 

 plant-lice which have adopted the subterranean habit. There is a 

 well-marked stripe along the middle of the dorsal and fainter lines 

 laterally marking the borders of the wing pads. The cottony tuft is 

 very easily broken off, and until replaced is represented simply by 

 white borders for the terminal abdominal segment. In no case have 

 the nyniphs been found on the foliage of plants, but always attached 

 to the roots or in the cavities of earth, where they have access to 

 the roots of their food plants. In some cases, however, where the 

 roots were exposed on the surface, protected by drooping leaves of 

 grass or by an accumulation of dead leaves or other rubbish, the larvre 

 were above ground, though under conditions similar to the under- 

 ground cavities in which they most frequently occurred. The adults 

 also were found in cavities beneath the ground and under leaves 

 and rubbish at the surface, and they seemed quite closely confined to 

 such locations. The wings, however, are well developed and they 

 must be able to migrate without difficulty. 



The economic importance of this species does not appear to be very 

 great, as the plants affected are not of particular value, but the 

 observation of a Fulgorid adapted to subterranean existence is of 

 considerable economic interest, since it suggests the probability of 

 other species in the same family, and particularly other members 

 of the genus Myndus or of related genera, having a similar habit. 

 Possibly these species occur in much greater numbers, and have a 

 more important economic relation than we have suspected, since they 

 are not often captured, and their work naturally goes unobserved. 



The committee on nominations reported as follows : 



For president. Prof. A. L. Quaintance, Washington, D. C. 

 For first vice-president, Mr. A. F. Bnrgess. Colrunbns, Ohio. 

 For second vice-president. Miss Mary E. Mnrtfeldt. Kirkwood, Mo. 

 For secretary-treasurer. Prof. H. E. Summers, Ames, Iowa. 

 For members of the council, Dr. Henry Skinner. Philadelphia, Pa.: Dr. James 

 Fletcher, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. 

 Respectfully submitted. 



F. L. Washburn, Chair num. 



C. P. Gillette. 



E. P. Felt. 



The report was accepted unanimously, and the above-mentioned 

 officers were duly elected for the ensuing year. 



