VOL. J 

 1891 



m.''] PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. 221 



peaii tlissimilis, concludes that they are identical, but considers the 

 AuR'i'ican form sutUciently distinct to be called discolor. Finally, Hut- 

 ler (in the Trans. Ent. Soc. Lend., for 1889) uncjualiliedly makes atlan- 

 fica=(1issimiUs. I have not had an opjjoitnnity of examining the sexual 

 characters of the Enroi)ean form, and the resemblance, superficially, 

 does not strike me as sutiiciently marked to induce me to follow the 

 references made. \n this series there is no strong- resemblance in the 

 sexual characters, and if the European form on study shows the same 

 8trii(;ture 1 should be ready to admit their identity. The insect varies 

 somewhat. One form is almost evenly brown, the maculation, however, 

 obvious; another is very strongly irrorate with white, and decidedly 

 distinct from the normal form while yet retaining its essential char- 

 acteristics. 



The species is not uncommon, and differs from all the preceding iu 

 color and maculation. The black basal streak, incomplete transverse 

 lines, ami large claviform all are distinctive; so also are the primaries 

 by their somewhat retreating hind angle. The genitalia of the male 

 are distinctive. The harpes are broad, semi chitinous, curved, at tip 

 formed into a rather small, acute hook. From the superior portion of 

 this piece and near the tip arises a moderate, curved, corneous hook, 

 parallel to but longer than the terminal hook ; near the base arises a 

 much stouter and longer corneous hook, curved in the opiK)site direc- 

 tion, so that the points of the two last-mentiouetl hooks are opposed to 

 each other. The structure is best shown by a reference to the figure. 



Mamestra desperata, sp. nov. 



Ground color a somewhat faded red brown, washed with grayish, 

 which is more distinct in the median space. Collar with a prominent 

 black transverse line. Thoracic and abdominal tuftings distinct. Pri- 

 maries with a short, very distinct basal bla(;k dash. Basal half line 

 geminate, inner line black, outer brown, included space gray. T. a. 

 line geminate, distinct, more strongly marked on costa, only a little 

 obli(iue outwardly and but little outcurved between the veins. T. p. 

 line geminate, included space gray, defining lines not well marked, the 

 inner brown and lunulate. As a whole, well outcurved over the cell 

 and oblicpiely iiiwjirtl beneath, nearly parallel to outer margin. S. t. 

 line narrow yellowish white, obsolete on costa, but very distinct thence; 

 a prominent W mark on veins li and 4. The line is preceded by rusty 

 brown scales, forming an obvious shade in the submedian interspace. 

 A series of brown terminal lunulos, fringes cut with yellowish on the 

 veins. A distinct red brown median shade outwardly oblique between 

 the ordinary spots, inwardly ungulate on vein i'. Claviform coucolor- 

 ous, small, outlined by black scales. Orbicular irregularly oval, out- 

 lined by black scales, annulate with gray, otherwise concolorous. Keni- 

 forin large, upright, kidney-shaped, black ringed, outwardly shaded 

 with yellowish. Secondaries snu)ky fuscous with darker discal spot 



