330 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF 



Schr. and Platypterix, Lasp., by the convexity of the outer margin near the 

 middle. This difference is noted by Walker when describing this species under 

 Drepana, Schr., which genus is synonymous with Platypterix, Lasp., inasmuch 

 as Walker's species, with the exception of his D. rosea, and D. emargiData, 

 C. B. M. viii., as well as those I have described, do not differ generically from 

 European species classed under Platypterix by most authorities ; which latter 

 genus, having apparently the priority, should be retained for our species. I 

 propose for Walker's D. rosea, which specific name has the priority over 

 Americana, H. S., as also for D. marginata, Walker, of which laiter species I 

 have seen no specimen, but which appears from Walker's description to belong 

 here, the following genus : 



Dryopteris, nov. gen. 



Antemne bi-pectinate in the male ; simple, or nearly so, in the female. 

 Palpi short, wings broad, anterior pair obtusely falcate, with the outer mar- 

 gin convex near the middle and extending outward to a nearly straight line 

 with the falcate tips. Body rather stouter than in Platypterix ; shorter than 

 the posterior wings. 



The species under this genus are readily distinguished from the true Platyp- 

 terigides by their brighter colors and somewhat broader and heavier wings. 

 I have carefully compared specimens of my P. fabula, and P. genicula with 

 the description of D. arcuata, Walker, C. B. M. viii., but while the description 

 presents points of resemblance with both, I can positively identify it with 

 neither, and must consider it as a distinct species awaiting a comparison of 

 actual specimens. A simple enumeration of the number and coloring of the 

 bands on the anterior wings in this genus must necessarily lead to some con- 

 fusion, as there exists a great similarity in point of markings and coloring 

 among the different species comprising it. P. fabula may, however, be readily 

 recognized from P. genicula by the ground color ; being in fabula dirty white : 

 in genicula, pale brownish yellow. The second and third wavy lines from the 

 base of the wing, in the former species, run close together, and unite three 

 times near the lower margin, forming two enclosed spaces ; in P. genicula 

 the second and third lines run wide apart, being also much straighter than in 

 P, fabula, in which they zigzag with acute angles, the third line crossing the 

 outside and largest discal spot ; while in P. genicula the same line runs out- 

 side of it. My descriptions are taken from males of both species. This would 

 seem the proper place to correct an error in the obs. to P. fabula, page 59. 

 It is in the American, and not in the European species, that the second and 

 third lines run together on the anterior wings, forming enclosed spaces, as 

 will be seen by the body of the description. The following is a list of all our 

 hitherto described species under this family following the classification of 

 Herrich-Schseffer, in his Syst. Verz. der Europ. Sehmett. 



Drepanulina, H. S. 



Dryopteris, Grote. 



rosea, Walker, C. B. M. viii. Cilix Americana, H. S. Lepidop. Exot. 

 p. 60, fig. 470, female. Platypterix formula, Grote, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. 

 1862, p. 60. 



marginata, Walker, C. B. M. viii. 



Platypterix, Laspeyres. 



fasciata? Steph. Morris, Synopsis, N. A. Lepidop. Smithsonian Misc. 

 Coll. vol. iv. 21S. 



arcuata, Walker, C. B. M. viii. 



fabula, Grote, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. 1862, p. 59. 



genicula, Grote, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. 1862, p. 59. 



[Sept. 



