252 THE entomologist's kecord. 



what is known as the Yorkshire form (nithilata, Eohson and Clardner). 

 My .5th sjDecimen approaches nnbiJata in the distinct dark transverse 

 l^ands, but only two of the bands are well-defined, the basal and hind- 

 marginal being very faint. The 3rd specimen had a very remarkable 

 appearance as it rested on a sugared tree, the two bands and the enclosed 

 space apijearing to form one broad central space. This effect may be 

 got by looking at the insect in certain lights now. The 1st specimen is 

 the palest that I have met with here. 



Ciispidia {Acronycta) pi^i. — Mr. Tutt speaks of this as a very variable 

 species. The three S2:)ecimens exhibited show all the range of variation 

 that I have found here. 



Vimhiia (Acronycta) rimiicis. — The common form with us appears to 

 be the Linna^an tyjie, and is represented by the 1st of the four speci- 

 mens in my box, but specimens are occasionally to be found such as the 

 2nd and 3rd in my series. These do not appear to be the true var. 

 salicis, for, according to Stainton, salicis " closely resembles rumicis, but 

 is smaller and darker," while the melanic form that I take is rather 

 larger than the type. Again, in salicis, the reniform is obsolete, while 

 in all the dark specimens that I have taken, it is quite obvious. The 

 4th specimen is only interesting from its general uniformity of colour. 



Lencania lithnrgyria — The red form exhibited was bred by Mr. 

 Young of liotherham ; I suppose it may be referred to var. ferrago, Fb. 



Hydroecia niditans. — In the case of this usually very variable 

 species, I have been struck with the very small amount of variation 

 observable in such specimens as I have met with here. In 1893, 1 took 

 a considerable number on flowers at Edlington, and every one was of 

 the form shown in the first four in the l)ox. I did not see one with 

 either ^^ellow or red stigmata, and those I exhibit show the extreme 

 range of variation in ground-colour. The only specimen with orange 

 reniform that I have seen, was taken at sugar last autumn, and is the 

 5th specimen in the box. 



Xylophasia poJyodon. — This polymor2)hic species varies much here, 

 but I have not yet met with such completely melanic forms as I used 

 to take near Manchester. Very pale specimens, such as the 1st in my 

 box, are not infrequent. The type, such as my second specimen, 

 together with intermediate forms between it and the pallid form, are by 

 far the commonest with us, while vars. ohscnra, Tutt, and infuscata, 

 White, are not infrequent. It is worthy of note that during the dr}'^ 

 season of 1893, I did not see one melanic form among many hundreds 

 that came to sugar. 



Clinraeas (jraminis is abundant with us on flowers of Senecio jacohaeac, 

 and, as Avill be seen from my specimens, it varies considerabl}'. The de- 

 velopment of the pale branched longitudinal streak — sometimes onl}' 

 forming a conspicuous pale spot below the reniform, and at others 

 spreading so as to include all three stigmata in a pale area — is striking. 

 The ground colour also varies much. 



Apamea didyma (ocidea). — Of this protean species Ave have a great 

 range of varieties, and I confess that I am unable to classif}^ them in a 

 manner satisfactory to myself. So far as I can determine the varieties 

 they are : — 1. var. Ingnis, Haw.; 2 — 3. var. rava-fiavo, Tutt; 4. var. 

 alhistigma, Tutt; 5. var. didyma, Esp. ; G. a form intermediate between 

 furca. Haw., and didyma, Esp. ; 7. var, fnrca-ftaro, Tutt. The com- 

 monest forms with us are dark brt)wnish-gre3% almost unicolorous, witli 



