of the Pyralidina of the European fauna. 451 



with 8 to two-fifths ; in ^ with a groove above cell near base, 

 above which is a thick ridge of scales. 



A development of Pyrausta, containing only the single 

 European species. 



pandalis, Hb. 



20. Mecyna, Stplt. 



■ Face slightly rounded, obliqiie ; ocelli distinct ; tongue developed. 

 Antennae two-thirds, in ^ filiform, ciliated {i — |). Labial palpi 

 rather long, porrected, second joint with dense scales attenuated to 

 a point forwards, terminal joint concealed. Maxillary palpi moder- 

 ate, porrected, triangularly dilated with dense scales, forming an 

 angular projection at apex beneath. Abdomen in ^ with small 

 anal tuft. Middle tibiae in (^ dilated, usually containing tuft of 

 hairs in groove ; posterior tibis with outer middle-spur one-half, 

 outer end-spur one-half to three-fourths of inner. Fore wings with 

 vein 7 from rather near 9, 8 and 9 stalked, 10 closely approximated 

 to 9 towards base. Hind wings over 1 ; veins 3, 4, 5 approximated 

 at base, 7 out of G near origin, anastomosing with 8 to two-fifths. 



Probably an earlier ancestral form of Pyrausta. The 

 genus is quite cosmopolitan, but probably comprises 

 only a few species. The use of the generic name seems 

 to call for some explanation ; its actual history appears 

 to have been as follows : — Guenee first formed the genus 

 Mecyna to include the polygonalis group and asinalis, 

 and communicated its character to various entomolo- 

 gists, without having actually published it ; amongst 

 others, to Stephens, who published it first, evidently 

 intending it to include all the species placed in it by 

 Guenee, but he only mentions asinalis, because he did 

 not suppose any other to be British. Subsequently 

 Guenee published his own views, having by that time 

 come to the conclusion that asinalis was wrongly in- 

 cluded ; he therefore restricts it to the polygonalis group. 

 It appears to me that under these circumstances iwhifjo- 

 nalis, which was undoubtedly regarded by Stephens as 

 belonging to the genus, and only not mentioned for 

 obvious reasons, is justly to be looked on as ihe type. 

 polygonalis, Hb. 



21. COKNIFRONS, Ld. 

 Face with long horny laterally compressed acute pi-ojectiou, 

 terminating in a vertical edge, or with a sharp vertical ridge only 



