1903.] 291 



Mr. Doubleday's Collection in Bethnal Green Museum, and it is said 

 one other!" 



It is perhaps worthy of note that the insect was taken in the 

 latter part of the week in which the invasion of Vanessa cardui 

 occurred in this district and along other parts of the east coast, some 

 specimens being seen in my garden. 



The Croft, Linthorpe, Middlesbrough : 

 November Uth, 1903. 



A NEW AUSTRALIAN GENUS OF OELECHIADM. 

 BY E. METRICK, B.A., F.Z.S. 



I have completed for the printer a paper on the Gelechiadce of 

 Australia, but am anxious to give the following genus precedence over 

 some thirty-six other new genera described therein ; otherwise it is 

 possible that by a slight extension of the limits of this genus a future 

 writer might cause the whole of its numerous species to change their 

 generic name. This is a result of the (as I think) unreasonable con- 

 vention that, of genera or species described as new in the same paper, 

 and really published at precisely the same moment, the first in order 

 has priority of the second, and so on ; whereas it would be more 

 correct to agree that genera assumed as primary should take priority 

 of their derivatives. Pending the adoption of this amendment, the 

 present course is a practical precaution. 



Peotolechia, n. g. 



Anteniiffi f , in $ simple, basal joint without pecten. Labial palpi long, recurved, 

 second joint more or less thickened with appressed scales, loose or somewhat rough 

 beneath, terminal joint as long as second or shorter, acute. Fore-wings : 2 from 

 angle of cell, usually connate or stalked with 3, seldom approximated only, 7 and 8 

 stalked, seldom 6 and 7 out of 8, 7 to costa. Hind-wings 1 or over 1, trapezoidal- 

 ovate, apex obtuse or pointed, termen sometimes sinuate, cilia f — f ; 3 and 4 connate, 

 5 rather approximated to 4, 6 and 7 nearly parallel or rarely approximated at base. 



Type, P. mesochra, Low\ I have 85 Australian species of this 

 genus, but am not acquainted with it elsewhere ; it is a more primitive 

 form of the Gelechia group. The species are usually obscurely 

 coloured, some having much the facies of a Gelechia, but others 

 notably broader-winged. 



Marlborough: Novemler, 1903. 



DD2 



