MEMBRACIDJE. 
115 
Genus: STICTOPELTA, 
Stll, Kongl. Vet. Ak. Band. viii. p. 32 ; B'owl. l.c. p. 55. 
The species of this genus run much into one another, but the variation is distinct. 
Fowler sees but little difference between Stabs genus Cryptophora and his Sticto- 
pelta, except that the former is more elongated in the pronotum (see page 55). 
Some compromise is desirable between the requirements of the logical evolu¬ 
tionist, who practically merges all species into one another and treats structural 
differences as temporary variations ; and the systematist who by multiplying genera 
makes specific groups take the place of species themselves, though he does not call 
them such. 
Species must be considered constant, at least in historic time. Pushed back into 
palteontologic time, they seem to disappear or resolve themselves into simple groups. 
Under the old systems of Fabricius and Linneus, Umbonia and Centrotus were 
grouped under the genus Membracis. 
The question may be asked, are sub-genera, &c., more than helps perhaps of 
doubtful value as to making a classification of animals natural. 
It may be heresy to state, that many think the standard of fertility, inter se, is a 
good test for proving a species, notwithstanding the complicated problems which 
are connected with cross-fertilisation and the like. 
Species representing Stictopelta, Hebetica, Hebeticoides, and Tropidarnis, have 
much the same general facies as the genus Darnis of Burmeister, but this sub-division 
is useful. 
STICTOPELTA AFFINIS. 
Fowl. l.c. p. 55 ; S. transversalts, Walk. l.c. Suppt. p. 148. 
Habitat. —Temax, Mexico. 
STICTOPELTA BIPUNCTATA, Burm. 
Darnis bipunctata, Burm. l.c. p. 171 ; D. adusta, Burm. l.c. p. 171 ; Stictopelta bipunctata, Butler, l.c. 
p. 340; S. adusta, Butler, l.c. p. 340; S. bipunctata, Fowl. l.c. Tab. IV. fig. 19, p. 55. 
Pronotum rich brown, or black like an oat-seed, but with an orange patch 
developed on each side; legs obscure ochreous brown; head across the eyes, long and 
narrow; the females are darker than the males. 
Size, 9x4 mm. 
Habitat. —Mexico, Arnula, Brazil. 
