1873.3 35 



of England, this species seems little known on the Continent. Zeller 

 says he only knows British specimens ; and the only other locality 

 given by Wocko is West Germany. 



Halonota cirsinna, Zeller. — This species is variable in size, and 

 slightly so even in form of wing, from which it becomes exceedingly 

 pnzzling. I have a foi'm taken in the Norfolk Fens which differs from 

 any other cirsiana that I have seen, its fore-wings being narrower, 

 esj)ecially at the base. The dorsal spot is nearly square, the ocellus 

 round and rather distinct, and the costal dots strongly marked. It 

 may possibly be a distinct species ; but my specimens are all males, 

 and, in the absence of the other sex, I should not like to separate it, 

 especially as, among ordinary cirsiana, very small specimens sometimes 

 occur, which, from their narrow wings and sharply marked dorsal 

 blotch, differ from the type. 



Halonota scutulana, Wilkinson.- — It seems that this species has 

 become involved in some confusion. After examining specimens 

 ( (^ & $ ) of our species. Prof. Zeller informs me that it is not the 

 true sciitidana, Treitschke, and of this latter he has very kindly sent 

 specimens of both sexes. The ^J bears a considerable resemblance to 

 that of our species, but has the apex of the fore-wings ohtiise ; it is 

 also much paler in colour, and the portion of the fore-wing beyond the 

 central fascia is whitish, so that the costal and apical brown dots are 

 very distinct. The ? is more like Brunniclnana, being dark brown, 

 with a small square dorsal blotch. Zeller says that he found it com- 

 mon in the " Prater " of Vienna, among a gigantic species of thistle 

 which forms impenetrable thickets, and that the jBruniiichiana-Viik.Q 

 females are certainly the other sex of the males. 



This species seems to be confined to Southern Geimiany ; at any 

 rate, there is no reason for supposing it to be British. 



Zeller seems to have become enlightened respecting this species 

 during his visit to Vienna in 1867, for he had previously, when in 

 England, assured Mr. Doubleday that our insect was scutulana, Tr., 

 hence the reference in Mr. Doublcday's list. JSTow, however, he is 

 disposed to think that our species, notwithstanding its size and the 

 strikingly distinct markings of the male, is only a variety of cirsiana. 

 He says that he finds both forms flying together in plenty in N'orthcrn 

 Germany. 



Peeling unable to assent to this opinion, I have had recourse to 

 Mr. Doubleday, to whose abundant stores of information and patient 



