NOTE ON THE GENUS ORTHEZIA. 305 
specimens in severai countries, and received them from others, 
and that they are all referable to Urtice, L., and suggests that 
the various so-called species that have been described have been 
founded on different states of Urtice. The names Signoret cites 
as synonymous with Urtice, L., are :—Characias, Bose; Delavauzxi, 
Thibaut; Floccosa, De Geer; Cataphracta, Shaw; Chiton, Zett. ; 
e? Uva, Modeer ; Glechome, Fab. sec. Burmeister ; Dubius, Panzer ; 
Dispar, Kaltenb. Signoret is probably right in sinking most of 
these so-called species, but it seems to me possible that one or 
two of them may be really distinct from Urtice, though probably 
not recognisable by the published descriptions. Amongst these 
may be Zetterstedt’s Chiton (of which I have not seen a 
description), but there is many a conjecture induced by the 
northern habitat.. I should much like to know on what grounds 
Mr. Hart has identified his Greenland specimens with Zetterstedt’s 
species. 
As to my Signoreti it is thoroughly distinct from Urtice, L. 
The shape of the antenne and the different proportions of the 
front legs serve to separate it at once. It is far from rare in 
Scotland, where Urtice also occurs; but the latter I have found 
only in the south-west and near Glasgow. It is quite possible 
that Signoretti may be identical with Chiton, Zett., in which case 
we will have to adopt the latter name. In Ireland I should expect 
both Urtice and Signoreti to occur; and if Mr. Hart will continue 
his search he will no doubt meet with both. From England I 
have seen Urtice only. It occurs in the neighbourhood of 
London, and probably in many other places. Signoretti may 
very probably occur in the more mountainous districts. I shall be 
happy to name any specimens that may be entrusted to me. 
A brief description may be useful to those who are not 
acquainted with these interesting insects. In form they (or at 
least the females and larvee) are flattish and oval, and often under 
the twelfth of an inch in length. In colour usually of a dead 
white (but sometimes slightly discoloured) from the numerous 
flakes and layers of a calcareous-like secretion (probably waxy in 
its nature) with which they are covered; the legs and antenne 
generally brown or pinkish brown. The males only are winged, 
and are in appearance and colour (a clear brown) very different 
from their humble partners, which are far more commonly met 
with. The calcareous-like secretion with which the females are 
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