24 
MEMBRA CIDAE. 
Membracidae. The slough or skin which is vacated by the imago sometimes has 
processes which cannot he seen in either the imago or the larval conditions. 
As yet the number of stadia indicated by the moults of Membracidae lias not 
been determined ; indeed there are only a few insects in which the number lias been 
definitely ascertained. 
The Larva. —This stage in development appears to vary much in form according 
to the species. The larva of Membracis continua is furnished on each abdominal 
segment, to the number of six, with a distinct laminar plate, finely spinose at the 
edges. These leaves are ranged in a semi-circle like the points of a crown. The 
plates on the head and region of the pronotum are the most developed. The insect I 
figure was labelled by Westwood, and is ochreous brown in colour. It forms part of 
the Hope Collection at Oxford. 
The larva of Membracis expansa I also draw (PI. I., Fig. 4 a). It is grouped 
with the perfect insects in the national collection. Itobust, inflated, and of a pale 
greenish grey, plentifully covered with white tomentose matter, its general appearance 
recalls that of the larva of one of the Cercopkke. 
The corresponding nymph or pupa shows two kidney-shaped lobes over the head, 
which seem to indicate the two laminae which afterwards unite to form the crest of 
the imago. The rings corresponding to the pro- and mesonotum are clearly seen. 
Behind each of these six segments a pair of long curly bristles or spines is emitted. 
At the sides, the wing-cases show the rudiments of the future tegmina. 
These examples are in accordance with the figures and descriptions given by 
Scheller before alluded to, representing the nymphs of Membracis lunata, M. foliata > 
and Enchenopa lanceolata. 
The Centrotidae also have nymphs of uncouth form. Strong spines appear on the 
hacks, which only partly foreshadow the thorny processes of the imagos. 
