79 



Gonoptera libatrix. 



This species is a very distinct one, it is usually put in a 

 family by itself, and undoubtedly the genitalia strengthen 

 this arrangement, it is unlike any other pattern of British 

 Nortuidce ; but the strong scaphium, forming almost a 

 mandibulate uncus, shows that at any rate it is closely 

 connected with some of the curious little families that are 

 now placed at the end of our Noctuida. These families 

 are no doubt sufficiently divergent, to warrant their being 

 separated, but as the species composing them are largely 

 asymmetrical in the harpes, it is quite a question if they are 

 not more closely allied to one another, than we are generally 

 led to suppose. In the order that they come in the ordinary 

 lists of species, sidphuralis and hictiiosa are both asymmetrical. 

 There is no possible similarity between venustida said fuscula, 

 to suggest that they belong to the same genus. Mi and 

 gli/phicd areobviously far apart, and yet bear some superficial 

 likeness ; alchyinista is closely connected with the Catocalas, 

 and may be in another genus, but certainly the same family, 

 pastinum and craccce are strongly generic. As the 

 genitalia throw but little light on the groups, I have 

 thought it wise to take them as already placed in the 

 lists. 



Gonoptera libatrix. 



Harpe simple, rounded above, without corona ; the 

 sacculus extends beyond the cucuUus ; uncus is flattened 

 at the tip and is hooded ; the scaphium is long ; sedceagus 

 finely scobinated ; juxta double peaked. This is a remark- 

 ably small genital appendage compared with the size of the 

 insect. 



Anarta melanopa. Pencils absent. 



Harpe battledore, and turned over as in the Dianthoecias; 

 sacculus is peaked above, and squamous ; clavus rounded ; 

 uncus broad, with a square tip ; vesica has a short bulbed 

 cornutus. 



Cordig-era. 



Harpe incurved along the costa, producing a point where 

 the cucuUus breaks away and protrudes outwards ; clasper 



