98 THE entomologist's record. 



ova in the field of the microscope at the same time which had ten, 

 eleven, and twelve pits respectively). These pear-shaped pits have 

 their narrow ends produced towards the centre of the micropyle, which 

 appears thickly irrorated with black spots. — (Rev.) R. Freeman, M.A., 

 Prescot, Lanes. 



Comparison of egus of Anchocelis litura, A. pistacina, A. 

 HELVOLA, Orthosia macilenta, Mellinia circellaris. — Sizc : A. 

 litura slightly less than O. macilenta, which = J. pistacina = ^ M. 

 cireellari.s = ^ A. Iielvola. 



A . litura : Fifty to 60 ribs ; transverse ribs almost invisible even under 

 very high power. All the ribs very faint. Stellate area too complex to 

 describe. Micropyle so badly formed as almost impossible to describe (very 

 small). Length : height : : 4 : 3f, flattened slightly at base and at top ; 

 size distinctly less than in 0. viadlenta. Colour : Cream all through. 



A. pistacina : 40 to 50 ribs, transverse ribs faintly visible, more so 

 than litura, less than macilenta. Stellate area less complex and 

 irregular than litura, but far from as perfect as macilenta (traces of 

 more petals than in macilenta). Not perceptibly depressed. Micro- 

 pyle, 12 pear-shaped depressions (same number as macilenta) but very 

 much smaller and fainter micropyle than mctcilenta. Not perceptibly 

 funnel-shaped. (Main vertical ribs are not really zigzag as in macilenta, 

 only slightly thickened where the transverse ribs join). Length : 

 height : : 4 : 3|-. Scarcely flattened at base. In my opinion this egg 

 shows a less developed (more elementary) form than macilenta. 

 Almost equal to macilenta in size. Colour yellow, but larva shows the 

 deep brown. 



0. macilenta : 30 to 33 ribs, transverse ribs broad and plainly 

 marked, almost as elevated as the main longitudinal ribs. Stellate 

 area beautifully perfect, 10 petals, each oval spoon-shaped, no trace of 

 a central rib passing through the petal as in circellaris. Perceptibly 

 depressed as in circellaris, but not so much as in Jielvola. Micropyle 

 12, rarely 11 or 10, pear-shaped depressions. Micropyle considerably 

 larger (proportionately to general size of egg) than in pistacina, but 

 considerably smaller than in circellaris. .Just perceptibly funnel-shaped. 

 Main vertical ribs zigzag conspicuously, and transverse ribs together 

 with vertical ribs form a distinct honeycomb appearance. Length is 

 to height : : 4 : 2^, very much depressed at base. Colour chocolate, 



M. circellaris: Yevj like macilenta, but, in my opinion, more highly 

 developed ; larger egg, almost half as big again as macilenta. 27 

 to 30 ribs (distinctly less than in macilenta, despite larger size). This, 

 together with the sharper edge of the ribs, give a more open appear- 

 ance to the egg. Stellate area very beautiful ; 12 petals, each bisected 

 by a continuation of the rib, which continuation sinks in the middle 

 of the petal and rises again towards the micropyle. Micropyle, 10 

 pear-shaped depressions — notice this is the reverse of macilenta, which 

 has stellate area 10 petals, micropyle usually 12 pear-shaped depres- 

 sions (rarely 11 or 10). j\J. circellaris has stellate area 12 petals, 

 micropyle usually 10. 



Tn all the eggs sent and examined (eight or nine in number) there was 

 no variation in micropyle, which always had 10 pear-shaped depressions. 

 Size halfasbigagain as»?rta76?;(to. Length : height : : 4 : 3 (considerably 

 nearer a sphere than macilenta). Micropyle much larger, proportionately, 

 than macilenta ; more funnel-shaped, and more raised from the depressed 

 stellate area. Colour green inside, mother-of-pearl covering. 



