A CHAPTER ON ZYG^NA MINOS. 67 



what is usually termed the discoidal cell ; the third may be 

 called the inferior blotch ; it originates at the base of the 

 wing, and extends towards the hind margin. The costal 

 blotch is pointed at its discal extremity, and the discal blotch 

 at its basal extremity. Mr. Birchall has pointed out to me 

 that in the continental specimens of Z. 31inos these two 

 points do not pass or overlook each other, whereas in Z. 

 Nuhigena the passing or overlapping is most evident. In a 

 letter from Mr. N. Cooke, of Liverpool, to Mr. Doubleday, 

 this character is clearly shown by coloured sketches. This 

 difference, I admit, appears very insignificant ; but supposing 

 that one form of blotching is constant to the black-bodied 

 individuals, and the other form of blotching constant in the 

 green-bodied individuals, it will aid us very materially in 

 our attempts to establish the existence of two species. In 

 addition, I have only to say, that I shall be much obliged 

 for any information respecting the Z. Minos said to have 

 been found both on the west and east coasts of Scotland. I 

 have seen neither (pp. 7676, 7677). 



NOTE ON THE IRISH ZYG.^N^. 



[By Henry Doubleday, in the "Zoologist," p. 7715, published 1861.] 



The remarks of my friend Edward Newman ( Zool. 7676) 

 respecting the Irish Zt/gcena will no doubt lead many of the 

 readers of the " Zoologist" to suppose that M. Guenee has 

 examined a number of specimens, and considers that two 

 species have been confounded under the name of Zyijcena 

 Minos. This is not the case; he has only seen two indi- 

 viduals which I sent him some years since. In a letter to 

 me, dated May 25th, 1861, he says : — " I have examined 

 with great attention an Irish Zygcena which you sent me 

 some time ago, and which I regarded as a simple variety of 



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