MEMBRA CIDJE. 
7 
it might have served as a convenient text-book for the student, except for its cost ; 
and from the fact that it cannot be obtained separately, as it forms part of a 
long series of volumes on Central America, and is attainable only by a few. 
These considerations may be accepted as some apology for the appearance of this 
present monograph. 
Before closing this sketch of the classification of Membracidse, attention should 
be drawn to a synoptical scheme proposed in 1892 by Dr. F. W. Goding, relating 
to the Homoptera of North America. He takes the six sub-families adopted by 
Stal, commencing with Centrotinse (in which the Hlthalioninse are included), and 
placing Membracinse the last but one of the group. 
His scheme is in great measure based on the structure ot the alary organs. 
Measurements of the delicate wings, such as half the length of the tegmen, are 
■difficult to verify without dissection. In such cases we must accept authority for a 
genus, whilst unable perhaps to prove the conditions necessary for its identification. 
After all, the neuration of the wings in this family, taken by itself, does not 
well arrange the grouping. What may seem to be a closely allied genus may show 
a diverse venation of tegmen. Supernumerary areas and transverse nervures may 
be the results of degradation of the typical organs or due to a slow development. 
We may assume that the constancy of neuration is in proportion to its 
simplicity. We have little difficulty in deciding to what section a winged aphis 
belongs, but as to Membracidse, Canon Fowler remarks : “ The complex characters 
of this family make the genera difficult to observe, as they run very closely one 
into the other, and it is hard to draw the line anywhere.” 
Dr. Goding, in his paper above noted, gives us help towards grouping the 
difficult sub-family of Centrotinse. At present the confusion of genera is great, and 
the synonymy involved. He holds out to us some hope that in a future memoir 
he will clear away some of these intricacies. 
Amongst other recent and living authorities may be mentioned Dr. Handlirsch, 
Dr. Aurivillius, Dr. Ganglbauer, and M. Severin. 
In India the Membracidse are well represented; at least, the late excellent 
Entomologist, Mr. E. T. Atkinson, assures us “ that new forms of Jassidse and 
Membracidse exist in great profusion in that country.”* He published valuable 
memoirs on Bhynchota. 
In 1898 the biological committee of the British Association t decided that, before 
any zoological term can be recognised, generic or otherwise, it must be, or must 
* See Journal Asiatic Society of Bengal, Notes on Indian Rhynchota. Membracida*, No. 3, 
vol. liv. 1885. 
t See International Congress at Cambridge Report, p. 288. 
