The genus Brcpha belongs to a group whicli, by its half- 

 looping caterpillars (as they are termed), connects the true 

 Nuctiuc with the Gcometrcc ; and although it contains but 2 

 British species, which resemble each other so much in colour 

 and markings that it is easy to confound them, yet the an- 

 tennai of the males are so very different in structure, that tliey 

 will probably by future writers be formed into distinct genera; 

 however this may be, it is only necessary here to separate 

 them into 2 divisions. 



1st, With the antennae of the males pectinated. 



B. Parthenias Lhm., figured in Donovan^ s Brit. Ins. v. 1. 

 pi. 2^Q.f. 1. 1. 



2nd, With the antennae of the males robust and simple. 



B. notha, of which the upper side of the male and the 

 underside of the female are represented in the an- 

 nexed plate. 



The antennae of the females of the 2 species not furnishing 

 distinctive characters, it will be advisable to state in what 

 respects those specimens have varied hi markings that have 

 come under our inspection : and this is principally to be col- 

 lected from the vmderside, for the upper side of tlie superior 

 wings is very variable in both species, the only good charac- 

 ter in ours being a more or less decided transverse pale ab- 

 breviated fascia arising at the costa, mid-way : the underside, 

 however, supplies more constant characters ; the dull colour 

 that tinges the orange from the base of the upper wings does 

 not extend to the black spot on the costa in B. notha, the tips 

 are not entirely black, and the black in the under wings does 

 not extend beyond the middle from the internal margin. 



B. notha is much rarer than the other species: they are 

 both found in March upon the blossoms of Willows, and fly 

 during the day. 



We regret not being able at present to give the name of the 

 Salix that accompanies the Moth. 



