nictitans group of the Genus Hydroecia. 743 
in all species may be white, orange, or concolorous. The 
inferior wings of the males are less dark than those of the 
females, and there is sometimes in all species a thin light 
band parallel to the hind margin.* When, however, we 
came to consider the localities from which our specimens 
came, we appeared to be on firmer ground, although this 
also may be more or less deceptive, as the species may, 
and probably do overlap, as do nictitans and paludis in my 
garden. It appears, however, that nictitans is by far the 
most generally distributed. I have myself taken it in 
most localities in which I have collected during its season 
of flight, and I have received it from all parts of England, 
Scotland, Ireland and Wales. It appears also to be 
common on the Continent, and Asia. 
Although the discrimination of the three species from 
nictitans is so difficult (apart from the appendages) that one 
cannot frame a description that will certainly enable any 
one else to distinguish them, and many find it difficult to 
believe that they really are distinct, it may be noted 
that Tutt distinguished the three British species with 
which he was acquainted long before the genitalia were 
examined, and would doubtless have distinguished the 
fourth (crinanensis) had he had it before him at the same 
time. But the marvellous critical instinct which Tutt 
had in such matters is very rare. Dr. Smith also can 
apparently easily distinguish from each other the three 
American species he describes, but without the assistance 
given by the appendages would have hesitated to regard 
their differences as of specific value. 
Paludis is essentially a salt marsh and riverside species 
in the south of England. I cannot speak positively, but 
I believe it to be confined to the south, the specimens 
mentioned in Mr. Acton’s paper, referred to above, being 
probably not this species at all. I have not, so far as I 
have been able to judge, received it from any locality out 
of England. 
Incens is essentially a “moss” species, and I should 
expect it to be confined to the north of England, Ireland, 
and perhaps Wales, and to Scotland, in its chosen haunts. 
It appears also to occur in Kurope and Asia, if my more 
or less hasty examination of my material is to be trusted. 
Crinanensis is a stream-side insect. Wherever it has 
* The number of specimens here described is H. nictitans 40 
H. paludis 33, H. lucens 27, H. crinanensis 46, being my own series 
ere 
