1902.] 227 



muscaria, and as I had long since come to the conclusion that the 

 identification of the species was doubtful, I determined to work it 

 out thoroughly, and see what it really was. After much trouble I at 

 last ran it down to Geromasia Wulpii, H. and B.,and have little doubt 

 that it is that species, and that M. virilis, Rdi., is distinct, though 

 probably a near ally. 



Mr. R. C. Bradley took some of the same species in the New 

 Forest when I did, in 1898, and also like myself sent some of them 

 to Dr. Meade for identification ; they were returned to him as M. 

 virilis, Rdi. At the same time he worked the species out himself, 

 using Meade's tables, and ran it down by them also to M. virilis. It 

 really seems probable, therefore, that this species which I believe to 

 be G. Wulpii, B. and B., is the one Meade knew and recorded as M. 

 virilis, though the fact that specimens of Wulpii were also called by 

 him on one occasion Degeeria muscaria, and even D. ornata, makes it 

 uncertain ; and, of course, M. virilis, Rdi., may also occur, and the 

 two species not have been distinguished from one another. 



To make quite certain of my- own identification of the species, I 

 sent a pair on to Prof. Brauer for his confirmation. In Prof. Brauer's 

 absence Mr. S. Bischof examined them and returned them as " Gero- 

 masia Wulpii, B. and B., = n. g., or Vibrissina Wulpii, B. and B., = 

 sordidisquama, Ztt." This is not too definite, and one is not assisted 

 by the further information which Mr. Bischof gave me about another 

 specimen which belongs to an entirely different species, probably un- 

 described, which he labelled for me as " n. g., or Vibrissina i n. sp., or 

 Geromasia sordidisquama, Ztt." They cannot both be sordidisquama, 

 Ztt., so that even after going to head quarters the matter is not 

 settled. 



It seems certain, however, at any rate, that the species under 

 discussion is the one B. and B. described as Geromasia Wulpii, B. 

 and B., even if that name should have to be sunk as a synonym of 

 sordidisquama, Zett., or something else, that species is a common 

 British one, and must come into our lists accordingly ; and that pro- 

 bably virilis, Meade, and possibly even muscaria, Meade, are synonyms, 

 so that Rondani's virilis, and Fallen's muscaria are neither of them 

 British, or at all events require further confirmation before we can 

 regard them as such. 



2, Handsworth Wood Road, 



Handsworth, Birmingham : 

 September, 1902. 



