234 the entomologist's record. 



are rather weakly developed, thus the furrows have a rather smooth 

 appearance. The walls of the egg below the termination of the ribs 

 are almost smooth showing only an indication of their cellular structure. 

 The micropylar rosette consists of about eight more or less pear-shaped 

 cells ; these are surrounded by two rows of small quadrangular cells 

 which are encircled by two rows of similarly shaped, but very much 

 larger, cells. [Described, July 31st 1907, from ova, kindly sent by 

 Herr Max Gillmer, from Teplitz in Bohemia.] 



The eg-g of this species is larger and has a more conical appearance 

 than that of M. aurelia. The secondary ribs are much weaker and the 

 lower half of the walls are almost smooth. 



M. aurelia: Pale yellowish-grey in colour, rather shining. Spheroid 

 in shape, flattened at apex and base, greatest diameter at about }. from 

 base. Rather flat at the apex, whence the walls slope evenly outwardly 

 to about frds. down, and then curve inwards rather rapidly to the base. 

 The vertical axis measures O.jomm., and the horizontal axis, - 53mm. 

 About 18 primary ribs run from the micropylar area, to about half- 

 way down the Malls where they degenerate into rows of pits. These 

 ribs are about OOBnnn. apart, fairly strong, with a wide, rather 

 shallow, furrow between them. Their ridges are fairly prominent, but 

 blunt. The ribs cease entirely on reaching the micropylar area. A 

 number of secondary riblets run horizontally round the walls between 

 the primary ribs, but cease with those ribs. The lower half of the 

 egg is shallowly pitted in a sponge-like manner, and likewise the base. 

 The micropylar area is slightly sunken. The boundaries of the cells 

 not well marked. There are about three rows of large quadrangular 

 cells between the terminations of the ribs and the rosette. The rosette 

 is about O04mm. in diameter, and consists of about eight very small 

 more or less pear-shaped cells. The eggs, 22 in number, were loosely 

 attached to the upper surface of a leaf, they were laid in a group con- 

 sisting roughly of two rows. [Described 26th July 1907. The eggs 

 were kindly sent by Herr Max Gillmer. from the Mosigkauer Haide, 

 Anhalt.] 



The ovum af M. aurelia is smaller and more globular than that of 

 .1/. athalia. The secondary ribs are more strongly sculptured, and the 

 Avails below the primary ribs are pitted, not almost smooth as in 

 M. athalia. 



Notes on Hemithea aestivaria, Hb. (ivith plate). 



By (Rev.) C. R. N. BURROWS. 

 Unlike Gometra papilionaria, the last species of the Geometrinae, to 

 which I had the pleasure of calling attention, Hemithea aestivaria is 

 one which has suffered much from the uncertainty as to its correct 

 name. There is no doubt but that the lepidopterists of bye-gone 

 days often deceived themselves, or were deceived (unintentionally, of 

 course), in the identification of species, and in the application of 

 names, and this, we, their successors, can easily understand, and 

 make excuses for, when we remember the difficulty of communication, 

 and especially of exchanging specimens, in times happily now long- 

 passed away.* Many mistakes were made and copied, to the great 



* As lately as 1872-75, I found it impossible to send home set specimens from 

 Natal, except as merchandise — unless I happened upon a friend on his way to 

 England, and willing to carry the parcel for nie. 



