272 THE entomologist's kecord. 



parallel sides. This is generally lost in Zi/i/aena. though the minns 

 group presents some similarity in general appearance. 



Coming to Zijijaena, we note that Z. ephialtcs with its various forms, 

 and Z. larandidae, form a group quite distinct from the remainder. 

 Though scales of most of the primitive types are to be found on 

 their wings, the predominant forms are sufficiently distinct, and there 

 is no difference between t/ie scales of the upper and lower wukjs. Z. medusa 

 is a kind of connecting-link between these and the normal Zygaenas, 

 there being a slight diiterence in form between the two sets of scales. 

 It should be understood that in all cases the brilliant red scales are 

 rounded at the tips, and the amount of rotundity seems to determine 

 the brightness of the general appearance. The duller red or orange 

 scales are bifid or trifid, but not generally so markedly as the last 

 mentioned. The colouring matter of these scales has not, so far as 

 I know, been examined chemically, '••'' but it certainly is, to judge from 

 its optical properties, quite difterent from the ordinary reds (c//., the 

 red of l^!/rai)h'is atalanta). It also occurs in some Arctiid moths, and 

 in many tropical butterflies, especially those with wings for the most 

 part transparent, belonging to various genera. The Sesiids also, so 

 far as I have been able to judge from a few fragmentary specimens, 

 seem to have the same colour in their red scales. En passant, I may 

 remark that Zi/t/aena scales are very suggestive of Rhopalocera ; but 

 to illustrate this point properly would certainly require a greater area 

 of illustrations than Mr. Tutt can be expected to grant for the present. 

 The middle group of Zipiaenae, containing our species, Z. filipendnlae, 

 Z. trifolil and Z. lonicerae, together with a great number of Continental 

 species and aberrations, is (generally) characterised by having the 

 scales of the lower wing more attenuated than those of the upper ; 

 the former are generally bifid, the latter bifid or trifid. But there is 

 very great variation in these species ; in fact, the genius of change 

 seems to run riot amongst them. It is very possible, however, that 

 an examination of more material may reveal system even here, and 

 particularly it seems likely that there is a section containing five- 

 spotted, and another comprising six-spotted, species ; though it appears 

 probable that some of the five-spotted insects have been produced (by 

 reversion ?) from six-spotted forms. There are undoubted traces of 

 species in the process oiiw&nwidiQiwvQ^eji., Z . atliainantliae{pencedani ab.) 

 has extended its aberration to the form of its scales. Another 

 suggestion, which probably has more in it, is, that one section has 

 broad borders to the lower wings, and another, thin and distinct 

 borders. Our three English species are sufficiently distinct (see figs.), 

 fiUju'ndulae being perhaps the most fixed and typical of the whole 

 group, whilst the external resemblance of trifolil and lonicerae is not 

 maintained in the scales. Z. hilaris and sarpedon, with their very 

 peculiar triangular scales, may be an offshoot from this central 

 Zygfenid type ; or, as appears more likely, sarpedon maybe the parallel 

 to hilaris in our third group, to which laeta unmistakeably belongs. 



Z. meliloti seems to form a connecting link between the " central 

 Zygaena " and the aforesaid third group; but its affinities seem 

 rather with the latter. 



This same tliird group comprises Z. mlnos and its allies, and is far 



* Vide, British Noctuae and their Varieties, Vol. ii., p. xi. — Ep, 



