VARIATION. 11 



Phycis suhornattlla and P. adortiaiella both come out of our lists, as 

 Mr. C. G. Barrett proves them one species, and synonymous with 

 Hiibner's dilutella. 



A new Ge'echia iyportlandicella) has been captured near Weymouth, 

 and described by Mr. N. M. Richardson, who also describes a new 

 Nepticida (anromarginella) from the same district. 



The Alicropteryx of the hazel (previously referred to fastuosella) has 

 been named Kaltenbachii by Mr. Stainton. 



A new Retinia {tnargarotana, H.S.) was discovered by Mr. C. G. 

 Barrett in Mr. Hodgkinson's series of R. pinivorana. 



The lepidopterists of the Entomological Society of London had a 

 most unusual treat at the meeting held on February 5th, when Dr. 

 Dixey read his paper on " The Phylogenetic significance of the wing 

 markings in certain genera of the Nymphalid.^." As the paper is 

 specially directed to our British fauna, and most of the species cited 

 are British, all lepidopterists (who do not subscribe to the Entomologi- 

 cal Society) should buy Part I. of the Transactions, 1890, to study the 

 subject. 



Dr. Chapman has worked out a most interesting and striking account 

 of the economy and habits of Hybocampa viilliauseri in his usual accu- 

 rate and scientific manner. The description of the mode of exit from 

 the cocoon is a marvellous example of Dr. Chapman's power of 

 observation. 



Hesperia lineola, the latest addition to the British Diurni, has been 

 discovered in several cabinets doing duty for H. thaiiinas {linea). 



Lithocolletis insignitella has just been described by Mr. Robson. It 

 has been on our list thirty years without having been previously 

 described. 



^^ARIATION. 



Black Varieties of Noctua glarecsa. — Very dark varieties of 

 this species have been frequently recorded from the Shetland Isles, but 

 on the i8th of August, 1887, while sugaring on Kinnoull Hill, near 

 Perth, I took three black forms of N. glareosa, which I sent to Mr. 

 Harwood, of Colchester, who said he had never seen anything like 

 them before, During that particular season I took a great number of 

 this species. var\ing from black to the normal type, with many inter- 

 mediate forms, including rosy ones. — J. Wylie, Bridgend, Perth, N.B. 



Varieties of Phigalia pilosaria. — Among the sixteen specimens 

 q{ P. pilosaria captured on the 31st January, I took the f//er variety, 

 referred to by Mr. G. T. Porritt, and also one nearly as black as 

 Amphidasys betularia var. doubledayaria ; the shades of colour are very 

 many. — B. Blaydes Thompson', Harrogate. 



Argynnis aglaia var. argentea. — I have a fine specimen of A. 

 a^laia, captured here last year (1889) The ground colour is quite 

 silvery; it looks very beautiful. — W. Austin, Radnor Street. Folke- 

 stone. 



