274 
MEANING OF SHAPES AND COLOURS OF THE MEMBRACIDAE. 
Hymenoptera (p. 535), the question at once arises as to whether the likeness is to 
be explained by the theory of H. W. Bates or by that of Fritz Muller. The evidence 
for the existence of a widespread distastefulness among the Heteroptera strongly 
suggests the latter interpretation rather than the former. It is hardly necessary to 
remark that there are numerous exceptions to these broad statements. Beautiful 
examples of cryptic defence are well known in the Heteroptera even of this country. 
Nevertheless the group, as a whole, is characterised by the abundance and conspicuous¬ 
ness of aposematic and synaposematic combinations of colours, the resemblances to 
insects outside the group falling probably into this latter category. 
The Bhynchota Homoptera are sharply contrasted with the Heteroptera, 
cryptic colours and patterns being relatively common among them, although some of 
the divisions are very conspicuous and probably aposematic. When resemblances 
to other insects occur they are probably to be explained as Batesian (Pseudaposematic 
= Protective) Mimicry, when the most nearly allied non-mimetic species of Homop¬ 
tera possess a cryptic defence (Protective Resemblance), as Mullerian (Synaposematic 
= Common Warning Colours) when the allied species are conspicuous with 
aposematic or warning colours. 
Allusion must be made to the special and curious defence by a waxy secretion 
which is common in the Homoptera. The method may be compared to the defensive 
silken walls of the cocoon in other insects, while the long trailing filaments of wax 
borne by certain species of Homoptera may play the same part as the “ tails ” on 
the hind wings of many Lepidoptera, or the “ tussocks ” of hair on some of their 
larvae—all these probably acting as directive structures which divert the attention of 
an enemy from the vital parts. 
The deeply interesting section of the Homoptera which forms the subject of the 
present memoir has an important bearing upon the bionomics of insect colouring, 
affording as it seems to the present writer, one of the most convincing of all the 
arguments which have been adduced in support of an interpretation based upon the 
theory of natural selection. 
The Membracidce , as a whole, appear to depend chiefly upon Protective Resemblance, 
concealment being effected by likeness to various vegetable structures. Examples 
of resemblance to other insects—ants, beetles, &c.—are found in many species, but 
the interpretation of these as Batesian or Mullerian is better considered after the 
examples themselves have been dealt with. 
Resemblances to other insects and to the vegetable environment are, of course, 
extremely common throughout the Insecta, but nowhere (except in a few Orthoptera) 
are they produced in the same manner as in the Membracidce. The deceptive disguise 
of other insects is manifest in various parts of the body, and often in many parts 
