40 BFLLETIN -IS, UNITED 8TATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 



there is no base except the luiigitudiiially strigata markings of the 

 wiugs; but m Stsyrhypena the wing form and color give the species 

 (piite a distinct appearance Avhicli is not borne out by the more essen- 

 tial ch'tiracteristics. The genus differs from Zanclo<inatlM mainly in 

 having pectinated antenn;e in the male, and by the more complete 

 abortiou ot the male fore legs. Otherwise the essential characters are 

 much the same. 



The si)ecies are not closely allied and are separable with ease. Jl. 

 ahsorj/talia, oi niibili/ascia, as it is more usually labeled, is the largest, the 

 wings broadei than in its allies, and the transverse posterior and sub- 

 terminal lines are marked by itiominent, i)rece(ling, brown shades, 

 which are diffuse inwardly. 



H. Jitophora is smaller, and the wings are luirrower and more pointed 

 than in its allies. The median lines are narrow and thread like, not 

 emphasized in any way, and the subterminal line is barely traceable 

 or entirely obsolete. 



! 11. hu'itt((t(i nearly equals B. iinbiU/dscia in size, but is narrower 

 winged and with a somewhat less prominent apex. It hicks all the 

 transverse lines, but has a broad, velvety brown longitudinal streak 

 through the submedian interspace, and a short brown streak beyond 

 the cell, not reaching the outer margin. 



V H. orcifcralis is (juite unlike all the others, which are luteous or 

 whitish, in the blackish smoky ground color, on which all the markings 

 are obscure, and in the subequal primaries, which have the apex obtusely 

 rounded. 



The species are few in number and widely distinct. None of them 

 are common, though H. nuhilifascia is not rare. 



Liiognatha (ixcaris, Grote, does not belong to the genus, nor, indeed, 

 to this series; that is, it is not a Deltoid at all. 



' ANALYSIS OF THK SPECIES OF HORMISA. 



Transverse liues distinct; color Inteoiis; no longitudinal streakings. 



Larger; all the lines i)roiuiuent, the transverse posterior and subterniiual 



marked by brown preceding shades aissouptalis. 



Smaller; median lines narrow and threadlike; snljterminal lino scarcely trace- 

 able; no brown shadings uropiionA. 



Transverse lines obsolete; color luteous; two prominent lilaek longitudinal streaks, 



PIVITTArA. 



All markings obscure; color smoky or blackish; one darker longitudinal streak 

 faintly marked in most specimens OKCIFEHalis. 



Hormisa absorptalis, Walker. 



1859. Walker, Cat. I^rit. Mus., Heterocera, XVL 74, Hormisa. 



nuhiUfttscia, (irote. 

 1873. (Jrote, Bull. Buff. Soc. Nat. Sci., I, 85, pi. 2. iigs. 2, •^. Lifo<inatha. 

 1893. Smith, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., 44, 380, pr. syn. 



Ground color a pale luteous or dirty yellowish gray, with fine black 

 jiowderings. Head and thorax concolorous. Primaries with a brown- 



