52 JOHN B. SMITH. 



close to what I have determined as satis Harvey, but differs in hav- 

 ing no claviforrn, in lacking the gray powderings of primaries, in 

 wanting the black defining lines to the ordinary spots, and in lacking 

 the common transverse line of the underside ; it is besides much 

 larger than satis. From rufula, to which, also, it is allied, it differs 

 in having the median space concolorous and the orbicular always 

 complete. The species has all the structural characters of the tes- 

 sellata group, and the ornamental characters are obvious in fully 

 marked specimens ; in those forms in which the cell is not at all 

 darker between the spots confusion may result in an endeavor to 

 place a single specimen from the synoptic table. 



Types in the Rutgers College collection ; coll. Hy. Edwards and 

 coll. U. S. National Museum. 



Agrotis basiflava sp. nov. — Deep dull Inteous brown, with black pow- 

 derings, varying to quite deep blackish brown. Collar concolorous, or sometimes 

 head and collar paler, with a ferruginous tinge, and with a variably evident dark 

 transverse line, less distinct in the pale specimen ( % \ black in the dark speci- 

 men ( 9 )• Primaries with basal space paler, the contrast most marked in the 

 male. Basal line distinct, black, angnlate, geminate. T. a. line distinct gemi- 

 nate, the inner line somewhat indistinct, but not obsolete, outer line black ; the 

 course very even and nearly upright from costa to internal vein, then with a 

 long outward curve to inner margin. A faint diffuse and indefinite median 

 shade from the dark shading between the ordinary spots. T. p. line evenly and 

 not strongly curved over reniform, very slightly incurved below; the line is 

 geminate, the inner crenulate, but not prominently so, the outer very even, in- 

 cluded space concolorous, or (in the dark 9 ) with ashen powdering. S t. space 

 not discolorous, but apparently a very little paler, with a series of somewhat 

 triangular dark spots preceding the narrow, indefinite, pale s. t. line, which is 

 very slightly sinuate. A row of blackish terminal lunules. No basal dash or 

 mark. The costa is slightly paler, but not at all discolored or contrasting. 

 Claviforrn distinct, but small, black bordered Orbicular inwardly oblique, oval, 

 not complete superiorly, black margined, slightly paler; reniform of fair size, 

 kidney shaped, not complete interiorly, black margined and with a paler annulus; 

 of the same color as the orbicular. The cell is darker, but not distinctly black 

 between the ordinary spots. Secondaries smoky, paler, more yellowish in the 

 male. Beneath dark, smoky; primaries with an outer line marked on costal 

 space only ; secondaries paler discally, with a small discal spot and an outer line, 

 beyond which the margin is darker. Expands 1.16 — 1.20 inches; 29—30 mm. 



Habitat. — N. W. British Columbia (Neuraoegen). 



This species belongs to the tessellata group, and is a close ally of 

 satis and rufula. From the former it differs by the lack of pale 

 powderings, the incomplete orbicular, the spots not powdered with 

 yellow ; it is a darker, somewhat shorter winged species, with the 

 cell more definitely dark filled. From rufula it differs in the darker 



