153 



very distinct median longitudinal band on the three segments of the thorax, which 

 are black at the sides. Antennae distinctly annulated with blackish. Legs pale 

 whitish-yellow, the terminal tarsal joint blackish. Anterior wings oval, the ground 

 colour whitish, the neuration with short black streaks, placed in the dark markings, 

 and frequently absent in the area between the gradate nervules ; these gradate series 

 rather wide apart, irregular, and somewhat sinuous (more as in fini than in limba- 

 tellus) : the dark markings (in strongly marked individuals) as follows : — a large 

 blackish spot at the sub-basal cubital constriction, extended to the radius as a smoky 

 band, continued along the lower cubitus, and extending along the inner gradate 

 series as a fascia, a similar fascia on the outer gradate series, and three or four less 

 distinct fascioe (often furcate in the upper half) between the inner series and the 

 base, the apical and dorsal margins often clouded with smoky ; all these markings 

 are liable to be broken up, and as a matter of fact they (excepting the " gradate " 

 fasciae) mostly exist only as marginings to the black streaks on the neuration, and 

 they are subject to great variation, but when fully present they give the wings a 

 distinctly pretty pattern (in the original typical British specimens they were 

 ill-defined) : pterostigmatic region long, subopaque, whitish, longer and more 

 defined in the posterior wings, which are whitish with the costal and transverse 

 nervules, and some of the longitudinal neuration in the apical half, blackish. 



Expanse, 12 — 18 mm. 

 Appendages of the S apparently as in pmi. 



It remains to be proved whether all the preceding three species 

 or races are co-exteusive in distribution. I have atrifrons from Britain, 

 Sweden, Finland, Belgium, Vosges, ISchwarzvvald and other parts of 

 Germany, Savoy, Val Anzasca, Upper Engadine, Austria, Bohemia, 

 and Eastern Siberia. In Britain it is rare, and the original typical 

 examples were of very small size, but I have since seen full-sized 

 British specimens. 



Judged by the deep black face, the very distinct pale dorsal stripe, 

 and the character of the markings, few could doubt that in atrifrons 

 we have a very distinct species ; yet I am much inclined to the 

 opinion that it is a " race " at the most, and one or two examples leave 

 one in that position of uncertainty that would not exist were it pos- 

 sible to define any differences in the appendages. 



In taking leave of this troublesome group it is with the hope that 

 the questions at issue may soon be definitely settled ; and were I in- 

 clined to make a forecast it w^ould be in the direction of confirmation 

 of Mr. Morton's idea that pini^ Umhatellus and atrifrons form only 

 one species. Dr. Renter (Neurop. Fenn.) is inclined to consider 

 pini and atrifrons identical, and Umhatellus as apparently distinct. 



Lewisham, London : May, 1899. 



