VARIATION OF CERTAIN AGROriD.E. 173 



simply a slightl}' paler shade of the grouiul colouf. A dark 

 streak runs under the base of the median nervure ; the five 

 wedge-shaped lineola) which are so characteristic of the typical 

 tritici are well developed. Hind wings grey, with a dark marginal 

 line, dark nervures and lunule. 



A. obelisca. — Hiibner's figure 123 represents the type of this 

 species. It may be described as of a deep, dull, reddish colour, 

 with ochreous costa and dark hind margin, well-marked stigmata, 

 but no wedge-shaped streaks near hind margin. Hind wings 

 white, with a reddish hind margin. 



The above three species are what I may term the characteristic 

 pale costa part of the group. 



A. cursoria. — The type of this species is represented by 

 Hiibner's figure 510. The anterior wings are almost entirely 

 like the figure of cursoria in Newman's ' British Moths,' p. O^O, 

 but perhaps appear a trifle narrower. It may be described as of 

 a pale reddish ochi-eous, with an abbreviated, followed by a 

 complete, double, black, basal line ; no claviform, but the reni- 

 form and orbicular outlined in pale ; two short, dark, transverse, 

 costal streaks above the reniform, a faint wavy line from the base 

 of the reniform to the inner margin ; a double transverse wavy 

 line beyond the reniform ; another wavy line from the apex to 

 the anal angle includes a dark reddish brown hind margin. 

 Hind wings ochreous, with a dark reddish gray margin, and 

 reddish lunule. N.B. No trace of a costal streak on the anterior 

 wings. 



Such are the descriptions of the type-specimens. Now for a 

 few general remarks. It will be seen from these descriptions 

 that the types of tritici, aquilina, and obelisca, have all a costal 

 streak developed, this costal streak giving a special character to 

 the group. It will be seen that cursoria has no costal streak or 

 longitudinal markings, but that the characteristic transverse 

 markings are the development and completion of the abbreviated 

 and broken transverse markings in the other group, agreeing with 

 them in every particular ; such abbreviation and breaking-up 

 being due to the presence of the longitudinal markings which 

 pass through them. In the species of the first group (with pale 

 costte), the ground colour has had a great deal to do with their 

 determination as distinct species by lei)idopterists, the brown 

 specimens having been referred very properly to aquilina, the 



