178 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 



This genus seems to differ by the middle and hind tibi^ being 

 spinose. While Ypsia is so indifferently founded by Guenee that he 

 gives no character at all except a presumed larval one, I find that 

 Umbrina Grote, and Undtilaris Drury, diifer by the tibiae behig 

 unarmed. In the related genus Matigj-amina the middle tibiae alone 

 seem spinose, at least in my rubrosufusa they are so. But this is not 

 the type, which must be studied for this character. Again, I have many 

 years ago proposed to distinguish Za/c by the generic character of the 

 body tufts. Finally, the otherwise amply distinct genus Homopyralis 

 has the slender tibiae unarmed. It is evident, therefore, that good and 

 valid characters separate the genera allied to Homoptera, or rather 

 Pheocynia, and that my Ph. unilineata and the rest may be arranged by 

 the tibial armature, although superficially so much resembling Ypsia. 

 Guenee takes no note of this, and seems quite at a loss in this group of 

 the Owlet Moths. I had myself very little material in my collection of 

 these genera, and I neglected their exact study accordingly. 



It is with much pleasure that we have just learnt of the appointment 

 of the Rev. George W. Taylor, of Victoria, Vancouver Island, B. C., as 

 Honorary Provincial Entomologist of British Columbia. Mr. Taylor has 

 been an active member of our Society for some years, and has done much 

 good work, not only in Entomology, but in general Natural History, by 

 working up the little known but exceedingly interesting fauna of Van- 

 couver Island. He is one of the best Conchologists in the Dominion, 

 and has the finest collection of British Columbian shells extant. His 

 knowledge of Ornithology and Botany will materially enhance the value 

 of his work as Provincial Entomologist, and his appointment cannot but 

 result in great benefit to the farming community of the Province. We 

 tender our sincere congratulations, not only to Mr. Taylor, but also to 

 the Minister of Agriculture and the Provincial Legislature, for the wisdom 

 that has been displayed in the choice of an incumbent for this important 

 ofiice. There are many " first-class pests " which require attention in 

 our Pacific province already, and doubtless, now the Canadian Pacific 

 Railroad is completed, many others from the east may be expected to be 

 introduced by that means, and it is only by having the services of a trained 

 scientific student at their disposal, to identify the marauders, and give in- 

 formation concerning the habits and best means of remedying their attacks, 

 that the farmers can hope to protect themselves against the injuries yearly 

 intiicted by insects. 



