22 ZYGCENID^ AND BOMBYCIDiE 



and that he does not remember to have taken a single specimen in 

 that locality during the daytime. H. Edwards describes the flight as 

 very strong, and much resembling that of the Sphingidae. 



S. Packardii, Grote, was in all probability described by Mr. Pack- 

 ard (notes on the Family Zygaenidae, p. 43, 1864) from specimens 

 which had been captured several years, and lost the freshness of their 

 coloration. On comparing specimens taken near San Francisco dur- 

 ing the past year with others received from the Atlantic States, I am 

 unable to detect the slightest difference, the blackish tint to the wings, 

 and blueish abdomen being present in both. I have others taken 

 some years back, which have acquired, some completely and others 

 in a greater or less degree, the light brown tint to the wings, and the 

 brown abdomen, spoken of by Mr. Packard as peculiar to the Cali- 

 fornian specimens; and if these differences were specific, by far the 

 larger number of the specimens I have received from the Eastern 

 States, would have to be referred to S. Packardii, Grote. After a 

 most careful examination, I am satisfied that there is no specific 

 difference, and therefore give S. Packardii, Grote, as a synonym for 

 the present species. The figure accompanying this description is 

 drawn from a California specimen. 



