PLUSIA DYAUS AND THE CURKANT AMPHIDASYS. 97 



The Species Doubtfully Named. 



I have referred this moth, for the present, to Phisia dyatis, in defer- 

 ence to the determination made of it by Mr. Grote, although probably- 

 done without comparison with his type or other examples. The differ- 

 ences observable in the specimens in my possession, when compared 

 with a single example of P. di/aus (not in perfect condition, it should be 

 stated) have led me to doubt the correctness of the determination. 



In that species, the inner silver spot is subrectangular, tending to 

 form the three sides of a square, while in this it is distinctly rounded 

 where it connects with (or almost touches in one example) the outer 

 tear-shaped character ; the two together having much the appearance 

 seen in Plusia on and Plusia precationis. The inner transverse line is 

 more nearly straight in this in its course from the inner margin ; and 

 there are other differences that need not now be indicated. 



Mr. J. B. Smith, whose careful studies have made him our accepted 

 authority upon the Noctuidm, to whom I have submitted an example of 

 the moth with the request that he would pronounce upon it, has returned 

 answer that it is not P. dyaus and that he cannot satisfactorily identify 

 it with any species ; but, in consideration of the differences in the de- 

 terminations of the Plusias in different collections, he would not like to 

 pronounce definitely upon it until aftej- study of the types of all the 

 doubtful forms. 



If, upon further study, the present form proves to be new to science, 

 I would propose for it the name of Phisia culla. 



Amphidnsys cognataria Gucnde. 

 The Currant Amphidanys. 



(Ord. Lepidoptf.ra : Fam. GEOMETRioyii:.) 



'OrrENEE: Hist. Nat., Ins.-L«'p., ix, 1857, p. 208, No. 312. 



Wai,kei{: List Lc]). Hctcroc. Brit Mns., 18fi0, xxi, p. 307. 



Packaud: Guide Stud. Ins., 1809, ]). 322 (brief notice); Mon. Geomet. Moths, 



1876, p. 413, pi. n, f. 4 (of inotb). 

 Bowi-Ks: in Canad. Entv)uiol., iii, 1871, p. 11 (descrip. of stages), 

 Saunders; in Rept, Ent. Soc. Cjui. for 1871, p. 38; Ins. Inj. Fruits, 1883, p. 349- 



50, f. 363 (of motli). 

 Lim-NER: in 26tli Rept. N. Y. St. Mus. Nat. Hist., p. 166 (larva descr.); in Count. 



G«nt., xlvii, 1882, p. 785 (on apple tnee), 

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