THE GENERA OF BRITISH MOTHS. 63 
form of the anterior wings with their partially obliterated stigmas, and the pubescent eyes; also, on account of some 
differences in the Caterpillar state, which appear to warrant the separation. Three British species are assigned to 
this genus. 
Mythimna Turca (the Double Line, No. 13) is a large and robust insect, the more compact forms of which 
seem at once to present to the ordinary observer a character different from that of the typical Lewcanie. The 
Caterpillar (No. 14) is said to feed upon several kinds of reeds, but more especially the Juncus Pilosus; others 
describe it as feeding on grasses in woods; and the Moth is, in fact, found in such sitnations in the month of July. 
It is a rare and very local species, but has occurred in Essex, at Combe Wood, and at Bristol, and more recently at 
Lewes and Lyndhurst in some plenty, and more sparingly at Manchester. 
The other species are :—A/. Conigera (the Brown-line Bright Eye), which is considerably smaller, and rather 
less robust in general appearance, and having tle markings more distinct, and the stigma pale ochreous instead of 
white. Jf. Lythargyria (the Clay), though very closely resembling the last, is rather smaller than either of the 
preceding species. It has a pervading gray tinge, and a little white in the renal stigma. This last is now con- 
sidered common, though a few years since deemed a rarity. Varieties of this species occur, which were formerly 
placed in collections under the name of J/. Grisea. Another insect was also included in this genus, under the 
name of IM. Imbecilla, which is now omitted in all recent catalogues. 
The genus Merist’s consists of two species, separated some time since from Caradvina, and placed in M Guénée's 
genus, Grammesia, for which the older name of Hiibner, J/eristis, has since been substituted. The obtuse anterior wings 
and woolly thorax separate them sufliciently from the preceding genus Mythimna, while in the preparatory stages 
they are still more distinct, the Caterpillar being, according to M. Guénée, very short, and almost onisciform, 
Meristis Quercus (the Treble-lines, No. 15) is one of our most abundant species in the Moth state, though 
the Caterpillar is unknown to most British collectors. 
The other species, /. Bilinea (the Dark Treble-lines), by some retained in the genus Caradrina, is much 
darker and rather smaller than the preceding, and is without the fourth line, the three others being much less 
distinct. It is much more rare than the other species, though found in many localities, especially in the more 
southern counties. 
The genus Caradrina, in its restricted form, contains five tolerably homogeneous species. The insects 
assigned to it are distinguished by antenne rather short and simple, and the abdomen less robust than in the genus 
Meristis ; the fore wings are thick and silky, the larva short and attenuated at each end, the head very small. They 
only feed by night, and undergo their transformation in the earth. 
Caradrina Morpheus (the Mottled Rustic, No, 16) is a very common species. The Caterpillar (No. 17) feeds 
on the Bindweed, or Wild Convolvulus, and the Moth appears in June. 
The other species are :—C. Blanda (the Rustic), about the size of the preceding, but having broad dark bands 
running across the anterior wings. C. Alsines (the White-line Rustic), the fore wings of which are pale brown, 
with darker stigmas bordered with an ochreous line; the hind wings are pale, with a dark border. C. Cubicularis 
(the Pale Mottled Willow), much resembling the first species, is distinguished by the pearly whiteness of the hind 
wings. Lastly, C. Exvigua (the Small Mottled Willow), possibly a small variety of C. Cubicularis. 
The genus Acosmetia is now restricted to three species only, two of which are extremely rare. It is charac- 
terized by the short but slender antennz, pubescent in the males; by the long and slender body, and by the fore 
wings, which have a more or less silky appearance. The larva of one of the species is thick, and attenuated at 
each end, and the pupa is formed in the earth. 
Acosmetia Caliginosa (the Reddish Buff, No. 18) is very rare. The New Forest is the only locality cited for 
its capture. It flies at dusk, or during the day in very moist and shady places. The Caterpillar is unknown. 
Acosmetia Palustris (the Marsh Buff) is still more rare than the preceding, the only known British specimen 
having been taken at Compton’s Wood, near York. In some systems it is placed in another genus (Hydrilla), the 
female being very different in form from the male, having the fore wings narrower, and being generally much 
smaller, This species is also distinguished from the preceding by the apparent hairiness of the wings in both 
sexes, which prevents them from having the silky appearance of those of a Ca’iginosa. It ‘s about one inch to 
