2 THE ENTOMOLOGIST, 
the comma-shaped mark and the hind margin ; this spot is absent 
from the left wing. There is also a small oval white spot at the 
base of both wings adjoining the thorax. A network of rather a 
darker shade of brown, only visible in a strong light, stretches 
over both wings. The hind wings do not present any striking 
variation from the type, but the right wing is a little crumpled. 
The left side of the thorax is creamy, the remaining and larger 
portion brown. Itis rather a small specimen, being only 24 inches 
in expanse. The larva was collected in a small state, with about 
sixty others, from various localities, and fed on dead nettle and 
virginian creeper. R. Lappimay. 
25, Hellesdon Road, Norwich, Nov. 5, 1891. 
[A similar variety of Arctia (Chelonia) villica is figured, 
Kntom. xi. p. 78 (1878).—Ep. ] 
MR. BUTLER’S NOTES ON SYNONYMY OF NORTH 
AMERICAN NOCTUIDA. 
By Joun B. Smrra, 8c. D. 
In the ‘ Entomologist’ for October, 1891 (vol. xxiv. p. 238), 
Mr. Butler has some remarks on the synonymy of certain species 
of Agrotis, and incidentally on my criticism of his previous paper. 
Since I wrote, and since Mr. Butler wrote, I have had the pleasure 
of making Mr. Butler’s personal acquaintance, and also of spend- 
ing two weeks in studying the magnificent collections in the South 
Kensington Museum. I have, therefore, seen the very specimens 
spoken of by Mr. Butler, and have had the advantage of a previous 
thorough acquaintance with long series of the various forms con- 
sidered identical by him. 
A regrettable attack of illness confined Mr. Butler to his home 
during most part of the time spent in the museum, and prevented 
my demonstrating to him the distinctness of the species he 
united. 
Mr. Butler unites in one series:—Mythimna subporphyrea, 
Wlk., = Agrotis phyllophora, Zet., = A. alternata, Zet., = varix, 
Zet., = variata, Zet. 
As a matter of fact, all these are good and valid, save that 
variz and variata are forms of one species. My identification of 
all these forms, save suwbporphyrea, which I had not known, was 
accurate; and I am willing to stand by every word contained in 
my monograph of Agrotis. 
Mr. Butler also referred Agrotis turris, Zet., to Peridroma 
saucia, Hbn.; and my criticism of this reference is also just. Mr. 
Butler did not know the range of variation in turris, therefore he 
associated one specimen with saucia, while other specimens of 
the same species stand under two other names, their identity not 
