NOTES ON BRITISH LEPIDOPTERA. 89 
locality the band is completely severed, but the portions are 
connected by a faint cloud. There is usually a round black spot 
encircled with white in the upper part of the fascia; this some- 
times is considerably enlarged, and then assumes the shape of 
the reniform stigma seen in the Noctue. The dark outer area 
of the wing is generally intersected by a wavy white line, and 
sometimes divided longitudinally by a projection from the white 
band which immediately precedes it. 
Although the white transverse bands are, as a rule, inter- 
sected by a line of black dots, each dot placed on a nervule, 
some specimens are entirely without such punctiform markings. 
The dark colour of the hind wings is always transversely 
divided into two portions by a white central band, with line of 
dots subject to same modification as on fore wings, but the white 
lines which traverse the basal half are sometimes so diffuse that 
they almost completely eliminate the dark colour. The white 
line which traverses the outer marginal area forms a sagittate 
mark about the middle, and this is often connected with the white 
band by a projection from the latter. 
The foregoing remarks apply to what may be termed the 
ordinary variation of the species, but I have two other specimens 
from Durham which are so peculiar that it seemed better to refer 
to them separately. In these examples the upper portion of the 
central fascia on fore wings is interrupted as far as the white 
line by rays from the outer white band, and the basal half of 
hind wings, which is traversed by broad white bands, is radiated 
in a similar way. 
Luctuata, Hibn., which occurs in Germany, Hungary, 
Switzerland, and Livonia, is usually considered specifically dis- 
tinct from tristata, Linn., but some specimens of the latter 
species from the North of England appear to be much nearer to 
luctuata than to typical tristata. The only difference that I can 
find is that in luctuata the black central fascia of fore wings is 
continued across the hind wings, and the white band beyond 
appears to be more angulated. Perhaps examples of a larger 
number of northern specimens of tristata than I possess might 
result in the detection of specimens identical with luctuata. 
Newman’s figure of tristata is far more like luctuata. If luctuata, 
Hiibn., proves to be a form of tristata, Linn., then a very com- 
plicated bit of synonymy will be cleared away, and we shall have 
luctuata, Hubn. (No. 2), Btr. ii. 4,37; Geom. pl. 49, fig. 258, 
for the species now known as lugubrata, Staud. ; whilst luctuata, 
Hubn. (No. 1), Btr. i. 1, iv. y (=tristata, Hubn. Geom. pl. 49, 
fig. 254), will be merged in tristata, Linn. 
The fact of Hubner figuring his luctwata (No. 1) at a later 
date under the name of tristata seems rather to indicate a desire 
on his part to sink the former name. 
