Morse.] 224 [Feb. 31, 
Say's description does not, as we now umlerstand the s])ecies, 
strictly characterize any one of tliein, and it is highly probable 
that he confused several species under this name. He has been 
known to do this in the case of other insects. 
Harris sent him a locust from Massachusetts to which Say, 
correctly or incorrectly, applied this name. Harris re-described 
the species from this specimen, but his descrii)tion varies some- 
what from that of Say. This specimen has also been destroyed, i 
but it was examined bj' Scudder, who, having worked over the 
Harris collection and made a specialty of the order since, and 
being also the first reviser of the species of this genus, is to be 
considered as our best authority regarding the identity of aequalis. 
In his revision he retained the name for one of the New England 
species. This species, as found in New England, differs slightly 
from Say's description. 
Say states: "Hind thighs within with four black bands." The 
New England form usually has the proximal two bands broadly 
connected with fuscous. This character is somewhat variable 
individually, however, and the disposition of the fuscous connec- 
tion is such as to leave the appearance from above of four 
bands. Another point may cause doubt: Say states, "The 
thorax is not gradually raised into a carina, but the line is 
abrupt and of little elevation," This at first seems incorrect 
when applied to this species, but it must be remembered that 
Say described as in the same genus (Gryllus) species which 
show such extreme development of the carina as TropidolopJms 
formosus. This species nlso was described from material obtained 
on the expedition referred to. Possibly Say had it in mind 
when describing aequalis. At all events, by comparison with 
this species it will be seen tliat Say's description of this struct- 
ural character in Gryllus aequalis is applicable to any species of 
the genus Spharagemon. The New England form of S. aequale 
is quite distinct from the other New England species but is 
approached closely by a western one, collare. 
'The specimen of "Locusta aequalis" is entirely destroyed, but No. 73, ? , is 
catalof^ued as "Locusta hybridn, mi. n sp. ... in company with L. nequalis" 
from which it seems probable that Harris reco,i;-nized two species. All that remains 
of this are portions of the wings, from which it is impossible to decide to which 
species they belonged, except that they arc not the winijs of bolll, as clearly distin- 
guished by the extent of tlie fnscous band. 
