MEMBRA CIDJE. 
207 
shorter than the tegmina. Membrane hyaline and cut into various sized areas, which 
are glistening. Two obscure fuscous bars run across the pronotum, unaccompanied 
by spots. The vertex is terminated by a short horn with a small protuberant knob, 
as may be noted in the horns of some Fulgoridse. Tegmina pale yellowish, with 
a brown neuration; the abdomen fuscous. 
The inflated pronotum is drawn in the figure of the natural size, and shows its 
outline not to he compressed or flat as in Membracis proper. 
Size, 10x6 mm. $ ; 12x7 mm. 
Halit at. —Brazil. 
Wollaston and Hope Collections. 
Genus: BOCYDIUM. 
Latr. Anim. Kingd. Am. et Serv. l.c. Fairmaire, l.c. p. 507. Sphceronotus, Lap. l.e. p.139. Stylo- 
centrus, Fowler, l.c. p. 163. 
The species of this genus are not numerous or often seen in cabinets. They are 
remarkable for the development of certain globular processes attached to the 
procephalon by a short branched style. 
The general appearance of these insects is almost unique, and suggests almost a 
sport of imagination in development.* 
The other general characters follow those of the genus (Eda. Fairmaire describes 
five species, of which I figure four : 
1. Bocyclium, globnlare, Germ. 4. B. tintinnabuliferum, Less. 
2. B. globuliferum, Pellas. 5. B. germari, Guer. 
3. B. rufiglobum, Fairm. 6. B. ancora, Peity. 
Bocydiuin is not described by Dr. Goding in the Hemopterous insects of North 
America, nor in the Biologia of Central America. The examples known are found 
farther south, and belong apparently to Brazil. The genus Stylocentrus of Fowler 
is closely allied to Bocydium, and I figure the species as such, though assigned to a 
special genus in the B.C.A. 
Stal does not include Bocydium in his “ Homoptera African a.” 
* The heraldic scutcheon or the crest of the ancient family of Medici, was three balls, but how 
initiated is not known. This family originally were Lombards, and as such, were money-lenders, and 
might be classed now as pawnbrokers. Hence the mediaeval arms have become the familiar three 
golden balls, so often seen over our pawnbrokers’ shops. It may be fanciful, but if we were to adopt a 
trivial name for Bocydium, it might well be “The pawnbroker.” Similarly the “chequers” which 
are painted on the doors of some houses of entertainment mark the excise and the office of the exchequer 
and was probably some form of abacus, an instrument for ready reckoning. 
