238 [DECEMnER 



impunchis. These organs in S 9 J[. impimcfus, are dark testaceous, 



not bicolorous, as are those 0? A. fervidm Walk., as indicated by the 



description of the latter in the British Museum Lists, while generally, 



the differences presented by Mr. Walker's description of his species 



(of which the habitat is unknown), are too great to allow of its beino- 



united with the Cuban species I have just described. 



SPILOSOMA, Stephens. 

 Spilosoma jussiaeae. 



Arctia Jussiccce, Poey, Cent. Lepidop. de I'isle de Cuba. (18.32.) 

 Spih-fomnjussiceoe, Walker, f. B. M. Lep. Pt. 8, p. 679. (1854.) 

 Spilosoma jussicece, Clem., Proe. Acad. K Sei. Phil. p. 5.32. (1860.) 



Very nearly allied to Spilosoma virf/inica, nnd I have great difficulty 

 in separating it from its Northern ally, nevertheless I believe it to be 

 a distinct and representative species. The characters assigned to it by 

 Prof. Poey will not separate it from aS'. virf/inica ; I record the follow- 

 ing differences which I regard as of specific value. The under surface 

 of the antennal stem is paler ( % and 9 ) in S.jussifjese, this is blackish 

 in S. virginica. The terminal palpal joints seem stouter and are paler 

 in S.jussisese, in which the fore femora and coxae are not so distinctly 

 maculate. There are no terminal spots on the under surface of the 

 secondaries in the Cuban specimens. With the exception that the pri- 

 maries above seem not so purely white, and that the internal ano-le 

 seems slightly more rounded, I see no further differences, while the 

 Cuban species is a little smaller sized. I am sure, that unless very 

 critical discrimination is exercised, the two species will be readily 

 confounded. This species seems strictly a representative one, while 

 the cour.se pursued by some naturalists with regard to such species,* in 

 considering them as geographical varieties, is, I think, incorrect. The 

 specific element will probably preserve these external characters and 

 prevent them from becoming evanescent. I am not asserting that my 

 discriminations between the species at present under consideration are 

 absolute, but if the paler antennal under surface of jS.Jussisex, is a con- 

 stant character as opposed to the equally constant blackish coloration 

 of the same part in S. virginica, I believe that the specific element is 

 as well preserved through this external manifestation as if one were 

 banded with all possible shades of colorational distinction. Four 

 (^ S 9 9 ) specimens of S. jussieese examined. Exp. S and 9 , 1.70 

 to 1.80 inch. Length of body, 0.60 to 0.75 inch. 



Habitat. — Cuba, (Poey.) Coll. Ent. Soc. Philad. 



Number 112, Foei/'s MSS. Catalogue. 



*For instance, the action of Menetries, in recording Papiiio zelicaon Boisd. aa 

 Var. Califomica of P. machaon, seems improper in every respect. 



