SCIENTIFIC NOTES. 29 



each segment of the pupa (Plate I., lig. j, pupa of ligustri). 

 Having only one species in the group it is difficult to say what 

 characters are generic and what specific. The c^'g is laid 

 solitarily, and is indeed very like that oi psi ; the young larva 

 is pale throughout, with only one bristle on each tubercle. The 

 full-grown larva does not at all suggest Acronycta, being green 

 and semi-transparent, and tapering regularly to each extremity. 



The pupa is thick and squat, and has two transverse depres- 

 sions on the dorsum of each segment ; the anal armature 

 consists of short points. The cocoon is of a hard, tough, 

 but somewhat brittle silk, nearly black in colour, and with 

 always some indication of an opening at one end, and some- 

 times an almost distinct line of division forming a valve for the 

 emergence of the moth. 



The perfect insect in Bisulcia has a tufted abdomen, and is 

 more polished in wing surface, and the wings are shorter and 

 rounder, so that altogether the moth has a different facies from 

 the other species ; but between the other two groups there is 

 no very decided difference. Viminia is more robust, and has 

 a rougher aspect than Cuspidia, but so indefinite is the distinc- 

 tion that, judging from the imago alone, there would be some 

 temptation to class viegacepJiala with Viminia and inenyantliidis 

 with Cuspidia. 



The other pupa in Plate I., that of orion (fig. 4), differs con- 

 siderably from any of the \xwQ.Acronyctas, but not more so than 

 the several sub-genera do from each other. It will be best to 

 deal with it when treating of that species. 

 (To be continued.) 

 EXPLANATION OF PLATE I. 



i Fig. I. — Pupa of Viminia rumicis. 

 Enlarged \ Y\p. 2.— Pupa of Citspidia tridcus. 



about 3i -| -r.- ^ T) C 7T ! ■ T , • 



diameters. i'^- ?>-—^^V^ oi Bisulcia lii,nistri. 



\ Fig. 4.— Pupa of Moma ( Diphthcra) orioii. 

 Fig. 4a.— Pupa of y]/. orioti, 9th segment, enlarged about 15 diameters. 

 Fig. 5a. — Pupa of V. auricoma, natural size. 

 Enl.-irged ( ^ig. 5b.— Pupa of V. aicricoma ; dorsal view of anterior extremity, 

 about S \ F"ig. 5<-"- — Pupa of V. auricoma ; gth segment, lateral view, 

 diameters. ( Fig. jri. — Terminal segment and anal armature. 



^^gciENTIFIC NOTES. 



On the origin of Argynnis paphia var. valesina. — Every British 

 lepidopterist is interested in the interesting green variety of A . pap/ua 

 which we call valesina. Every one who goes to the New Forest, and 

 feels he must tell his fellow collectors where he has been, mentions 

 valesina. If it be present he joyfully heralds the fact, if it isn't he 



