MEMBEACIDJI. 
Sub-family: MEMBRACl NEE. 
Cicada folia! a of‘ Linnaeus, afterwards Membracis dial a of Fabrinus is the 
general type of these insects, but this species has not always been placed at the head 
of the sub-family. I prefer, however, to take the genus Membracis in priority, as 
Canon Fowler and some others have done, excepting only the genus Xerophyllum, 
which as being as far as is known apterous, and showing peculiar characteristics in 
the femora and tarsi, appear to be sufficient reasons to justify this order. 
Genus: XEROPHYLLUM,* Fairm. 
Dr. M. Leon Fairmaire commences his valuable “Revue de la Tribu des 
Membracides” f with the genus Xerophyllum , of which he gives outline figures. He does 
not appear to have known more than one species, and apparently at that time to 
have seen only one example. 
One great characteristic is that the genus appears to be apterous, and that the 
singular mimicing resemblance to dry vegetation is carried out in the leaf-like 
expansion of the legs and part of the face. 
M. Fairmaire heads his synopsis with this genus, and then takes in order 
Membracis, which now forms the type raised by Linnaeus. 
Prof. Westwood, however, pointed out in 1839 its nearer approach to the Order 
Orthoptera, in which modern entomologists now place the genus. 
The foliaceous, rotund, and elevated pronotum which covers the body and 
elytra, if they be present, suggest the genus Membracis ; but on the other hand the 
leaf-like expansions of the femora, the form of the lace, and the absence of a proboscis 
would show its truer position to be where Prof. Bolivar places it—viz., amongst the 
Cladonotse, a section of the Tettigidse (not of the Cicadinse). 
On account of the above noted affinities with the Membracidse, I figure for com¬ 
parison three species of Xerophyllum, which have come under my own observation. 
* Xerophyllum, i.e., dry leaf. 
t “Annalesde la Societe Entomologique de France,” Ser, 2, iv. p. 235 et seq. : Plates 3 to 7 (1846). 
E 
