THE GENUS PHILOMETRA. 97 



black markings on all the wings are much increased both in 

 number and definition, but the oblique spottings are well marked 

 and intensified. This form has a radiated appearance, but is 

 most distinct from the true zatima, which has for a long time 

 been found very sparingly on the coast of both York and Lincoln- 

 shire. An uncle of Mr. W. H. B. Fletcher took a few examples 

 of zatima on the Lincolnshire coast many years since, one of 

 which he sent to Curtis, one he gave to the elder Mr. Dale (the 

 late J. C. D. ?), and one is still in Mr. Fletcher's collection. It 

 was also reported from Driffield, and there is a figure in the 

 ' Entomologist ' for 1874. 



The locality in England for radiata = zatima is evidently on 

 the east coast, near the Kiver Humber, Hull and district, 

 Grimsby and district. The probable reason of the occurrence of 

 this form in the districts mentioned is not diflicult to assign. The 

 vast number of vessels, fishing-craft, &c., constantly running 

 into these busy ports, on the Humber, aftbrd a most facile transit 

 from the coast of Heligoland. This insect is much attracted by 

 light, and the masthead lights of these many vessels would almost 

 certainly be a great lure to the moths, which being attracted 

 would be sure to rest on some portion of the rigging after their 

 flight. A few hours' run, and they would be safely landed on 

 English soil. Even their own unaided flight would readily effect 

 the same result. 



Now, whilst having the most perfect confidence in the bona 

 fides of Mr. Harrison, when he states that his one original female 

 was bred by him from London pupa, still I cannot help thinking 

 it far more probable that it was rather one of the Grimsby pupa3 

 that he had at that time : it is so easy to get a little confused, 

 particularly when dealing with a very common species such as 

 S. lubricijjeda, when naturally no particular pains would be taken, 

 as no such stroke of luck as breeding radiata from them was 

 anticipated. 



London has never produced this variety, so far as is known ; 

 neither, perhaps, is it likely to do so, as radiata is not an aberra- 

 tion simply, but rather a strong local form, and in all probability 

 the outcome of very many generations of isolation in Heligoland. 



IG, Lewisham Road, Greenwich, S.E. 



THE GENUS PillLOMETBA, Grote. 

 By a. G. Butler, Ph.D. 



In his recent ' Catalogue of Noctuidse,' Prof. Smith permits 

 this genus to stand as distinct ivom Herminia ; but the Her )mnia 

 of Smith he regards as synonymous with Cliytolita, Grote. 



The male of Chytolita has the antennae ciliated, and with a 



ENTOM. — MARCH, 1894. H 



