1917.] 159 



Tliat so common a Noctiiid should have existed for so long a time 

 in two sncli different forms, under one specific name, seems remarkable, 

 especially when one considers the fact that there are not a few cases in 

 which the forms of one species have received specific names from the 

 same author. 



There are quite a number of species of Noctuidae, and doubtless of 

 other groups also, in North America which are represented in Europe 

 either by the same form or by closely allied species, and it would repay 

 any keen naturalist to investigate these relationships to the fullest extent, 

 taking into account superficial characters, genitalia, and life-histories. It 

 is princi])all3" with the object of stimulating interest in this form of 

 investigation, particularly in regard to the examination of the male 

 genitalia, that I have ventured to offer this short note. 



In my present position I am unable to carry on these investigations 

 further, and I shall look forward to seeing another student's remarks on 

 this subject. 



X-Ray Dept., 3foore Ijarraclcs, Cauadian Hospital, 

 Shorncliffe, Kent. 



May nth, 1917.' 



[NOTES ON THE COLLECTION OF BEITISH HYMENOPTERA 

 (ACULEATA) FORMED BY F. SMITH. (II.) 



BY E. C. L. PERKINS, D.Sc, M.A., F.E.S. 

 {Continued from 2i- 76.) 

 Before leaving Andrena * it may be worth Avhile noticing the bee 

 described as A. articuJafa by Smith, but subsequently (in both editions 

 of his book) sunk as a variety of A. fulvicrus. This A. orticulata is 

 merely a S himaciilata with the pubescence, as is sometimes the case, 

 forming pale apical bands on the abdominal segments, so as to resemble 

 closely some specimens of J fulvicrus in this respect, when superficially 

 examined. The genera immediately following Andrena call for no 

 special remarks, except that the collection was enriched by the gift of 

 one of the two examples of Rophites, captured near Hastings by Bloom- 

 field. This bee carries a good load of pollen, which would indicate that 

 the species was breeding in the locality where it was taken. 



The collection of the attractive genus Nomada is a good one and, 

 on the whole, correctly named. All the species, except N. conjnngcns 

 and argentata, are represented by a fine, or at least a fair, series of 



* At the end of my last paper (ante, p. 76), for JlUpes read pilipes (bia). 



