128 Journal New York Entomological Society. [Voi.xv. 



of policy and choice we prefer to found genera on characters exhibited 

 by both sexes. Many will not take this view. In fact most of the 

 families of North American Lepidoptera have been heretofore classi- 

 fied on secondary sexual characters. In this view, our two Thecla are 

 not only specifically, but generically distinct. Of course, the larval 

 differences are additional proof, if any were needed. We infer that 

 Dr. Skinner, not having studied the larvce, has supposed that their 

 characters were negligible. 



SOME NEWFOUNDLAND GEOMETRIDiE, WITH 

 DESCRIPTION OF A NEW VARIETY. 



By Louis W. Swett, 

 Bedford, Mass. 



In collecting a series of the conwnon Sciagraphia grani/afa Gn. I 

 was struck with the great diversity of coloration and markings, the 

 colors varying from violet gray, yellowish, dark olive, light gray to 

 pure silvery white and some with brick red markings. In a lot from 

 Newfoundland, through the kindness of Mr. Owen Bryant, I found three 

 of a very distinct form differing from any of the numerous descriptions 

 and from others from the same locality. At first I feared to describe 

 them, as there are so many synonyms in this group, but after reading 

 through all the descriptions I find certain features which make these 

 very distinct. The only description that at all approaches this variety 

 is suhmannorata Walk. (Cat. Brit. Mus., p. S87, vol. 23, 1861), but 

 the markings and color of lines render it distinct. Below I append 

 my description. 



Sciagraphia granitata, var. oweni, new. 



Expands 1.2 inches. Color above silvery white with very large black dots and 

 wide smoky black lines. On costa, four black patches more lengthened than 

 usual, white between. Basal line of fore wings smoky black (width of the body) 

 showing in three prominent spots. Mesial band smoky, straight at costa, wider than 

 on inner margin, including black distal dot, the black dots show plainly on veins. 

 Beyond discal dot a narrow white sinuate line bordering the very broad smoky band 

 which runs almost straight from black apical patch to inner margin, widening after spot 

 between veins 3 and 4 as it approaches. Beyond this the border is marbled with black 

 and white striations (more marked than inside mesial band) sometimes running into 

 cloudings. The veins at base of fringe marked with small dots. Hind wings heavily 



