270 ^^^^y' 



dark grey dots arranged nearly perpendicularly to the margin. Hind- 

 wings wliitisli edged with grey, in the ^ with tivo tufts of long yel- 

 lowish scales at the base. Antennae simple beyond the thickened 

 basal joint. 



This species varies greatly in size and colour. Males of the late 

 autumn brood are veiy small, and sometimes nearly white. 

 Other specimens are dark grey with the lines barely indicated by 

 their pale edges. Some pale specimens have the lines very dark, 

 especially towards the costa, and occasionally a dark shade runs from 

 the costa near the apex into the middle of the disc. Another form has 

 the dorsal margin broadly ochreous or even reddish, and this in many 

 collections, represents — ^perhaps correctly — semiriifa, Haworth. A ra- 

 ther curious dwarf form, beaten out of yew trees in Cumberland by Mr. 

 Hodgkinsou, appears to have the first transverse line even further 

 from the base than usual, and has therefore also been mistaken for 

 semirufa. 



EhiteUa seems to be generally pretty common, and may be beaten 

 out of thcitch, ricks, and even other shelters far removed from houses, 

 but it is most common in Loudon and other large towns, and swarms 

 in grocers' warehouses. 



It seems to me exceedingly probable that Haworth's description 

 of semirufa (as Avell as of rufa and auffusta) was made from a variety 

 of this species. 



Epiiestia semirufa, Stn. (Haw. ?).- -Fore-wings moderately broad, 

 costa less arched than in clutella. Lappet in the ^ hardly projecting, 

 covered with short, hair-like scales. Colour of fore-wings pale 

 h'ownish-ochreous, sometimes tinged with grey. First line brown, very 

 oblique, near the middle of the wing, second line double, brown, 

 sinuous, further from the hind margin than in elutella, the enclosed 

 space in the middle of the wing is therefore small, and the two lines 

 approach each other on the dorsal margin. Disc with two faint 

 brown spots. Hind-wings whitish in the (^ , with two basal yellow 

 tufts ; pale grey in the ? . 



Apparently a very local species. The only specimens that I have 

 seen were beaten out of ivy some years ago, on the south coast of 

 Devon, by Dr. Jordan. 



Epiiestia ficella, Stn., Dougl. — A large handsome species. Fore- 

 wings very narrow at the base, much arched beyond the middle. 

 Costal lappet small and inconspicuous, not dilated. Fore-wings dull 

 dark grey tinged with brownish (under a lens, cream colour, covered with 

 large, coarse, black scales). First line nof oblique, whitish, four times 



