116 [>tay. 



line is visible as a series of dull black dots upon uervures ; on the 

 eosta are several pale yellow dots. Hind-wings suinky whitisb-brown, 

 abdomen very pale reddish-drab with a large fulvous anal tuft. This 

 species was included by Mr. H. Doubleday in his list of reputed 

 British species, but I am unable to find any actual record of its 

 previous occurrence. It is not, however, an unlikely species to occur 

 with us, since its range, as given by Staudinger, includes Central 

 Europe and the greater portion of Northern Europe — almost accu- 

 rately, in fact, the range accorded to Xylina furcifera, Huf n. {covformis, 

 Eab.), which with us is also confined apparently to South Wales. 



Among the specimens from South Wales referred to above are several interest- 

 ing species : — 



Deiopeia pulchella, L., one specimen, in wliich tlie rows of black dots being 

 well marked, the pink markings are almost obsolete ; taken also at Porthkerry, 

 Glamorganshire, by Mr. W. E. R. Allen. Dianthecia luteaqo, var. Barreltii, Dbld., 

 a very dark, strongly marked specimen, taken on one of the small islands off tlie 

 Soutli Wales coast by Mr. Vivian. Euplthecia sati/rata, Hiib., a form apparently 

 intermediate between the type and the var. callitnaria, but smaller than either, and 

 having the markings very faint; taken in Grlamorganshire by Mr. Vivian. H. 

 larlciata,Frr.,a, specimen of not more than one half the normal size. E. exiguata, 

 Hiib., a specimen in which the ordinary markings are obliterated from the dorsal 

 half of the fore-wings, giving the insect a totally dii?erent aspect. Botli of tliese 

 also obtained by Mr. Vivian in South Wales. E. virgaureata, Dbld., this is a very 

 interesting form, either wholly smoky black, with the exception of the black discal 

 spot and faint traces of the whitish subtcrminal line, or else tending in that direc- 

 tion — a fine example of the melauic tendency now noticeable in so many Geometridce, 

 and especially of late in some species of the present genus. These dark forms were 

 reared by Mr. Vivian from larvae coUecletl in Glamorganshire. 



Tremont, Peckham Rye, S.E. : 

 April 9th, 1901. 



NOCTUA CASTANEA, Esp., vae. XANTRE, n. vak. 

 BY F. C. AVOODFORDE, B.A., F.E.S. 



The object of this paper is to call more general attention to a 

 very striking and exceedingly local form of Noctua castanea, which I 

 believe only occurs in North .Staffordshire. 



In this form the colour of the primaries, instead of the usual red (as in N. 

 castanea type) or grey (as in var. neglecta, Hb.), is a rich yellow, approaching more 

 closely to that of mustard than anything else I can think of, but also somewhat 

 similar to that of Ihe $ Euthemonia russula. The colour is darker towards the 

 base, paling off a little towards the hind and inner margins. The thorax is of a 

 darker, almost orange, yellow ; and the cilia of the secondaries are paler, approach- 

 ing a lemon colour. The rcnifn-m sfigma has the inner portion dark grey, almost 

 black, and the margin is visible, though not very distinct. The orbicular is slightly 

 paler than the ground colour. 



