The species represented in the plate (rather larger than life) 

 varies considerably : some specimens are much darker and 

 brighter than others, and the underwings of one of our males 

 are fuscous not ochraceous. This insect, which so much re- 

 sembles A. Rumicis that it is difficult to detect any difference 

 in them, has for many years stood in our cabinets as the A. Eu- 

 phorbice of Fab. and Hiib. ; but upon referring to the figure 

 of the latter and Ochsenheimer's description, it is clearly not 

 the same species. It would not now have been recorded as 

 distinct, had not Mr. Dale and myself found a considerable 

 number of caterpillars the 10th August last year in the Tros- 

 sacks, none of which varied from the drawing ; and being 

 veiy distinct from that of A. Rumicis in form and markings, 

 we feel no hesitation in giving it as an unnoticed species. The 

 specific name has been assigned to it from its feeding upon a 

 little Sallow that grew, together with Myrica Gale, which it 

 would also eat, in a humid spot at the base of Ben Chochan. 



It is a curious fact that in the present genus the larvae are 

 of more value in separating than in uniting the species ; show- 

 ing how cautious we must be in adopting exclusively any sy- 

 stem. It is this that has led those who follow the views of the 

 Wiener Verzeichniss implicitly, to fall into many errors : there 

 is not perhaps a more natural genus than Acronycta of Och- 

 senheimer if we look at the perfect insects ; yet when we refer 

 to the larvae we shall not find more than 2 that have any affi- 

 nity beyond the number of their feet. 



The following are our British species : 



1 A. Leporina Z/., Don, Brit. Ins. 10. 327. 1. 



2 Brady porina Och.^ Hiib. tab. '^.f. 16. 



3 Psi L., Don. Brit. Ins. 4. 133. 



4 tridens F., Hiib. tab. \.f. 5. 



5 Menyanthidis Hiih. tab. 2./. 6 hi. 



6 auricoma F., Hiib. tab. I.f. 8. 



7 similis Ha-^. Lep. Brit. 180. 57. 



8 Rumicis L., Don. Brit. Ins. 4. 126. 



9 Salicis Nob. 



10 aceris Z/., Don. Brit. Ins. 10. 330. 



11 megacephala F., Hiib. t.2.f.\0. t.S.f.U. 



12 Alni L., Don. Br. Ins. 10. 327. 2. 



13 Ligustri F., Hiib. tab. 5,f. 21. 



The larvae, when they change to pupae, spin themselves a 

 web, either upon or amongst the leaves upon which they fed. 

 A piece of Salix is figured with the insects. 



