166 PBOCEEDIXGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. vol.xxi. 



most cases only a strongly dentate brown shading; but in some 

 instances a part of the line is marked witli black. The median sliade is 

 usually pretty well marked and smoky brown. It is outwardly oblique 

 from the costa througli the reuiform, then bends inwardly and runs 

 nearly to the middle of the inner margin. The transverse posterior line 

 is strongly dentate, obscurely geminate, the outer portion of the line 

 black, the intervening space very pale, while the inner defining line is 

 smoky if at all traceable. There is an obvious subterminal line. 

 There is a series of terminal dashes between the veins, which extend 

 inwardly to the transverse posterior line between veins 4 and 5, and 5 

 and G. Other dashes extend inward above and below vein 1. There 

 is a black basal streak, which extends well to the middle of the wing 

 and nearly meets one of the inward dashes below vein 2. The ordi- 

 narj^ spots are obscure, imperfectly outlined ; the orbicular a little elon- 

 gate; the reniform small, incompletely defined, outwardly smoky. 

 Beyond the median shade the space between the veins is more or less 

 marked by short black dashes. Secondaries white, a little soiled 

 toward the apex in the female. Beneath white, ])owdery, usually with- 

 out trace of any outer line or discal spot, although in some specimens 

 the spot at least is indicated. 



Expanse, 1.72 to 1.80 inches (43 to 45 mm.). 



Habitat. — Texas, in March, May, and August. 



This species is rather well marked and not easily mistaken for any- 

 thing else. The wing seems strigate, an appearance which is enhanced 

 by the narrow primaries and the strongly dentate transverse posterior 

 line. In most of the specimens the median line is distinct and angu- 

 lated, and in some examjiles it is very i;)rominent. Occasionally it is 

 traceable only with some difficulty, and in that case the species may be 

 separated from xyliniformis, which it resembles, by its larger size, 

 more strigate appearance, by the strongly dentate transverse posterior 

 line, and by the basal black streak. The legs are long and stout, the 

 anterior femur of the male dilated toward base; the tibia unusually 

 stout, with the epiphysis attached above the middle and reaching to 

 the tip. The tarsi are complete, short, and stout. The harpes of the 

 male are a little oblique at tip, quite evenly rounded. The lower, 

 beak-like process of the clasper is very stout and rather short; the 

 npper, hook like process is quite long, stout, and moderately curved. 

 The species has not been found except in Texas thus far, and does not 

 seem to be a common form there. 



ACRONYCTA XYLINIFORMIS Guenee. 



(Plates IV, figs. T). 10, 12. 15, adults; VIII, fig. 35, larva ; XV, tigs. 14, 20, head; XVIII, 

 fig. 14, leg; XXII, fig. 19, male genitalia.) 



Acronycta xi/Hnoides Guenke, Spec. Gen., Noct., 18.52, I, p. 56. — Grote, Bull. 



Buff. Soc. Nat. Sci., 1873, 1, p. 81, note 11. 

 Acronycta xyWniformis Guenee, Spec. Gen., Noct., 1852, III, p. 400. — Walker, Cat. 



Brit. Mus., Het., 1856, IX, p. 60. 



