^57 



Spectanda, Str., is ASPILA Rhexi^ of Abbot and Smith. Qther 

 species may be referred to Lygranthcecia, as they are aUied to or 

 identical with species referred by me to that genus. //. Rubigi- 

 nosa of Stecker is Lygranthcecia Saturata Grote. This 

 species has the same pearly look as Marginata, but the insect is 

 evenly saturated with an orange or ochreous red tint which is 

 peculiar. It is described Bull. B. S. N. S. 2, 74. H. Ultima of 

 Mr.Strecker is a Lygranthcecia and belonging in appearance near to 

 Marginata, Thorcani, and Saturata. I have had this species 

 formerly, but did not recognize it as distinct from Saturata, which 

 varies in the wings becoming more fuscous, and the brighter 

 saturating color less pronounced. The lines are crenulated as in 

 TJiorcaui, in both these species. Ultima shows a lunule and has 

 a yellowish base and broad dark border to hind wings. Satu- 

 rata has the hind wings with a more or less darker terminal shade, 

 but they are more concolorous. In a specimen before me they 

 are somewhat pale, nearly unicolorous; beneath the markings 

 almost obliterate and, as I described them, " whitish, thickly 

 powdered with orange red." Mr. Stecker has also described 

 Lygranthcecia Meskeana, under the name Fastidiosa, among 

 his new species of "■ Heliothisy Mr. Neumoegen has kindly 

 allowed me to see another of Mr. Strecker's species of ^'Heliothis." 

 This is Inclara, which is an apparently valid form resembling 

 Atrites, and belonging to the group of Tuberculum. Finally Mr. 

 Strecker's Regia is a handsome, previously undescribed, form, 

 different in color, but, apparently, related to Coercita and the pale 

 forms, viz.. Separata, Acittilinea, and, perhaps, WalsingJiamii. 

 I have also referred HeliotJiis Sulmala of Strecker as a synonym 

 to EULEUCYPTERA CUMATILIS. Thus, of eight species described 

 by Mr. Strecker, I would refer none to Heliothis proper, while five 

 are synonyms. It is certain that Mr. Strecker's work in the 

 Noctuidae is of such a nature that its publication must be always 

 a matter of regret from a scientific point of view. From his want 

 of information as to structure, he gives no characters that can be 

 used to eke out his descriptions, while in the moths, which are 

 usually difficult to describe, such data are often of more value for 

 identification of species than color and markings. 



Mr. Strecker's work is, on the whole, of such an indifferent 

 character that I am unwilling to criticize it. He has made propor- 

 tionately more and more unexcusable synonyms than any other 

 writer, and his slovenly descriptions and confessed unacquaint- 

 ance with structure place him on a level with the worst amateur 

 who has " coined " a " species." In vulgarity and misrepresenta- 

 tion he is, fortunately, without a rival. No amount of " indus- 

 try" or " facility with the pencil" can condone his conduct. 



The translation of Nature into human speech and thought 

 has a history of its own, involving all springs of human action. 

 We should be interested in purifying its ethics and showing a 



