248 REVISION OF MAMESTRA SMITU. 



wise the same. The vestitare is somewhat loosely applied, heuce per- 

 fect specimens are rare. 



The male harpes are strong, gradually tapering to an obtusely rounded 

 tip. The clasper is short, thick, curbed, jaggedly truncate at tip.- Just 

 below the base of this clasper is a broad pad, densely clothed with 

 small teeth or spinules. 



Mamestra quadrata, sp. nov. 



Dull fuscous brown, collar with a distinct black transverse line nar- 

 rowly margined with reddish scales. Primaries varying somewhat in 

 shade, obscurely marked, yet all the maculatiou traceable. Basal line 

 geminate, defining lines blackish brown, included space somewhat 

 paler, especially in the submedian interspace, where it is reddish; t. a. 

 line upright, with three rather even outcurves between the veins, 

 geminate, the defining lines blackish brown, incomplete, interrupted, 

 included space lightened by a few reddish scales; t. p. line rather 

 evenly bisinuate, not greatly outcurved over reniform, geminate, the 

 inner line only distinct, the outer rarely traceable in the somewhat 

 paler s. t. space; s. t. line rather evident, narrow, pale, forming a small 

 W-mark on veins 3 and 4, additionally marked by a variably evident 

 series of preceding sagittate dashes, which are sometimes entirely 

 wanting, and by the darker terminal space. A narrow, dark, terminal 

 line. Fringes with a pale line at base, cut with yellowish opposite the 

 veins. These latter are more or less obviously marked with white and 

 black scales, rendering their course traceable. The s. t. space is paler, 

 than the rest of the wing, becoming somewhat contrasting in the sub- 

 median interspace, and forming in some specimens the only prominent 

 feature. Claviform concolorous, moderate in size, more or less com- 

 pletely defined by black scales, sometimes barely traceable. Beyond 

 this is sometimes a quadrate black patch extending to the t. p. line, 

 and contrasting strongly with the following pale patch in s. t. space; 

 but this is sometimes reduced to two parallel black lines, and more 

 rarely wanting altogether. The ordinary spots are concolorous or very 

 slightly paler; a little powdery. Orbicular oval, scarcely defined. 

 Reniform slightly constricted, better defined by an annulus of pale 

 scales. Secondaries, even smoky brown, with a faint discal lunule. 

 Beneath, dull brown, powdery, with a darker discal lunule and a dusky 

 outer line, which may be distinct on both wings, wanting on primaries 

 only or entirely absent. 



Expands 31 to 33'"'" (1.24 to 1.32 inches). 



Habitat. — June and Only, Placer County, California. (Through C. 

 V. E.) 



There are eight good specimens in the Museum collection, some of 

 which bear the red number 247, indicating biologic notes in Dr. Riley's 

 possession. 



The species is broad winged, and in this and the general vagueness 

 of its macula tion it resembles desperata. The small indentations of the 



