4G THE GENERA OF BRITISH MOTHS, 
Calocampa Vetusta (the Red Sword Grass, No. 5) is rather less than the preceding species, and also distin- 
guished by the stronger denticulation of the fringed edges of the anterior wings, the stronger markings near the 
margin, and the fainter or nearly obsolete anterior stigma. It is also of rather a richer colour, tending to a reddish 
tone. The Caterpillar (No. 6) is, as shown, entirely distinct in its markings. It feeds on plants of the Carex, or 
Sedge tribe, and the Moth appears at the beginning of September. It is very rare. 
Apamnidi forms the fifth sub-family of the Noctwide, and is one of the most extensive. The genera of 
which it is composed are Xylophasia, Hyppa, Hydrecia, Apamea, Miana, Celena, Hama, and Crymodes ; Apamea 
being of course the type round which the other genera are grouped. 
The genus Xylophasia, formerly united by some naturalists with Xylina, is yet sufficiently distinct, especially 
in its preparatory stages. The antennz of the males are long and only slightly pubescent ; the palpi are larger than 
in Xylima, and turned upwards ; the abdomen is coronated at each segment, and the fringed edges of the wings 
sinuated. The Caterpillars are large, dull coloured, and shining, and have small wart-like spots or tubercles. 
There are six species, all grouping very naturally together. 
Xylophasia Lithoxylea (the Light Arches, No. 7) is a common and widely-dispersed species. The Caterpillar 
is said to be green, with white dots, and lines at the sides 3 while others declare it to be as yet unknown, though the 
perfect insect is so common. 
Xylophasia Polydon (the Dark Arches, No, 8) is equally common with the preceding, and appears about the 
same time. The Caterpillar feeds on the roots of grasses, is of a pale ash colour, with shining black tuberculated 
specks, and the head and anal segments are also black. 
The other species are X. Sublustris, X. Rurea, X. Hepatica, and X. Scolopacina, all of which resemble one or 
other of the two species figured, except X. Scolopacina (the Slender Clouded Brindle), which is much smaller than 
any of the other species. It is of a more yellow tone, and much less streaky in the markings. It is not 
improbable that, like the species Rectilinea, it may be eventually removed to another genus. It is very rare. 
The genus Hyppa consists at present of a solitary species (Rectilinea), removed from Xylophasia, The 
specimen, X. Rectilinea (the Clouded Brocade, No. 9), upon which the first claim to a British insect of this genus was 
based, was captured a few years ago by Mr. Marshall. The Caterpillar (No. 10) is from Hiibuer. 
The genus Hydrecia was formed by M. Guéené, to receive certain species previously placed in Apamea, which 
presented certain differences, too technical for detail in a popular work, which seemed to offer sufficient inducement 
for their separation. The principal features of the group are, excessively short palpi, scarcely extending beyond the 
head ; the antennz filiform, or slightly crenulated in the males. The head has a thick tuft of scales on the crown, 
and the abdomen is tufted down the back. The wings are slightly notched at the edge, and the posterior stigma 
generally very distinct, and often margined with white. The Caterpillars are short, and attenuated at each end ; 
living on grass, generally in the stem. 
Hydrecia Leucostigma (the Crescent, No. 11) is larger thin any species remaining in the genus Apamea, and 
has the stigma crescent-shaped, and white, from which it derives its popular name. The Caterpillar is of a dirty 
whitish colour, rather brown on the back, with some dark spots; the head is entirely brown, and the second 
segment black, It feeds in the flower stems of the Jris Pseudacoris. It is a very local insect, but was taken in 
great abundance at Whittlesea Mere, in July, 1822, and has since been taken in many places about the beginning 
of August, feeding on sugar placed as a bait on the trunks of fruit-trees. 
