402 NOVITATES ZOOLOOICAE XXIV. 1U17. 



134. Hema caniola (Hiibn.). 



Bombyx caniola Hiibner, Europ. Schmelt. vol, ii. f. 220 (1827) (Europe). 



Of this species we took a number at Haramam R'ihra and Hammam Mes- 

 koutine. The Tring series consists of 64 specimens. 



13 Oued Hamidou, May — June 1912. Faroult. 



9 Hammam R'ihra. May 1913, W. R, and E. H. 



6 Bou Saada, June 1912, Faroult. 

 36 Hammam Meskoutine, May 1914, W. R. and K. J. 



135. Ilema sordidula (Rambur). 



Lilhoaia sordidula Rambur, Cat. Syst. Lipid, d'.lndai. p. 210 (ISGB) (Andalusia). 



Mr. Oberthiir raises what he considers the debatable point of the identity 

 or otherwise of sordidula Rambur and marcida Mann. The latter came from 

 Sicily, and Mr. Oberthiir points out that a Sicilian specimen he possesses differs 

 from Algerian specimens of sordidula by the uniform leaden grey liindwings. I 

 have no Sicilian or Spanish Lithosids of tliis group, so I cannot compare my 

 Algerian specimens with topotypical material ; but I have been carefully through 

 these Algerian insects with Sir George Hampson, and he is of opinion that the 

 specimens enumerated below are true sordidula. 



4 Hammam R'ihra, May 1913, W. R. and E. H. 



[Ilema lutarella pygmeola (Doubl.). 



Lithosia pygmeola Doubleday, Zoologist, vol. v. p. 1914 (1847) (Great Britain). 



Mr. Oberthiir has identified 3 specimens of a form of Ilema lutarella which 

 he has from Ain Draham with /. pygmeola Doubl. This he does, because, 

 although he says they lack all traces of the black shade on the hindwings charac- 

 teristic of the British race pygmeola, yet he has two! British specimens also 

 lacking this. Now, it is well known that geographical races ( = Subspecies) of 

 one and the same species are not fixed and unalterable entities, and very often 

 individuals crop up in the area of one race which are almost or quite identical 

 with those of another. Under these conditions it is generally thought quite 

 sufficient to establish a valid local race or subspecies if from 75 to 80 per cent, 

 of the individuals, in a special geographical area, show the characters difl'eren- 

 tiating the race from the individuals of other areas. As, however, I have not 

 personally seen Mauretanian examples of any form of lutarella, I do not pro- 

 pose to give a new name to this race, and simply record it as — 



136a. Ilema lutarella subspec ? 

 3 specimens from Ain Draham in coll. Oberthiir.] 



137. Ilema lurideola (Zink.). 



Lilhoaia lurideola Zinken, Allgem. Literal urztitung, 1817. p. 68 (1817) (?). 



Tliis is the oldest name for plumbeola Herr.-Sch., which name Mr. Oberthiir 

 by mistake attributed to Hiibner. 



I have no Mauretanian examples, but Mr. Oberthiir received 3 examples 

 taken at Lambessa by H. Powell. 



