20G PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OP 



without its recognition for any of the species, as standing on an 

 equal footing. We are not encumbered in this matter by any con- 

 sideration of Guenee's term Hydroecia^ for his indication of the 

 type makes it synonymous with Gortyna, Hiibner. To many of 

 Hiibner's genera, e. g. Agrofis, continental authors cite Treitschke 

 or Ochsenlieimer from prejudice or tradition. Here, in the United 

 States, we sliould be free from either sentiment. I see nothing in 

 all this embroiled s3''nonym3^ to prevent my proposing to fix the 

 type of Apamea on nictitans, in rectification of my undoubted 

 error on page 18 of my '' List," wliere I overlooked Guenee's dis- 

 tinct indication of micacea as the t3'pe of his genus Hydroecic. In 

 Ochsenheimer's mind nictitans was evidenth' tlie type of his genus 

 Apamea^ and the term was evidently intended foi- the smaller 

 white-flecked species allied to Goj'fyna. For Lederer's genus 

 " ffydrcBcia," in its integrit}', the term Gor-tyna should undoubtedly 

 be nsed, as I have before show^n. I think I am warranted in divid- 

 ing it into two genera : Apamea^ Oclis., with the type nictitans^ 

 and Gortyna,, Hiibner, with the tj-pe micacea indicated b^^ Hiibner 

 in his Tentamen (ISO*)). Our North American species of Apamea 

 are as follows : 



1. Ap. nictitans (Linn). 



var. erythrostigma (Haw.). 



2. Ap. sera (G. & R.). 



3. Ap. inqusesita (G. k R.). 



4. Ap. purpuripennis, Grote. 



5. Ap. semiaperta (Morr.). 



I have alread}' referred the Hydrcecia Io?'ea, of Guenee, which has 

 hair^' eyes, to Mamestra in the "List of the Noctuidre of Nortli 

 America." 



As yet I have seen onl^^ the var. erythrostigma (Haw.) of A. nic- 

 titans from California; the t^-pical lorm doubtless occurs there. 

 The specimens were large and highl}- colored. 



Apamea purpuripennis, n. s. 



9- Allied to H. semiapeffa^ Morr., slighter, of a more rich pur- 

 ply-red, something like the species of Ne2:)helodes in the tint of 

 the silky primaries. Transverse lines narrow, inconspicuous, the 

 median lines more approximate than in its all}'. The median 

 space, centrall}', is largely stained of an intenser hue than the 

 rest of the wing. In this deeper shading is placed the white re- 



