Description of a new genus belonging to the family HepiaUdce, 

 of Stephens, 



Bij A. W. Scott, M.A. 



[Read 7th October, 1867.] 



The paper on the genus " Charagia" of Walker, which I read 

 at the last meeting of our Society, was an endeavour to correct 

 certain important errors existing in the Catalogue of the British 

 Museum, in relation to this group ; to describe, in a concise man- 

 ner, the habits and metamorphoses of the insects ; and to place 

 on record the existence of several new species. In illustration 

 of the descriptions I tlien gave, I exhibited the coloured drawings 

 of all the species enumerated by me, and I trust I succeeded in 

 affording a clear perception of a class of insects, so peculiarly 

 Australasian. 



I now purpose to present to the attention of the members a 

 new and very remarkable example of the Hepialidea-n family, 

 and which I hope will prove not only acceptable, but will justify 

 me in ci^eatiug a new genus for its reception ; one, I think, 

 readily distinguished by several marked characteristics from any 

 other, with which I am acquainted. 



I may here remark that the fourteen genera which compose 

 the Hepialidae, according to the Museum Catalogue, are but 

 feebly represented by species, no less than five of them having 

 but one each, and it is therefore fairly presumable that the 

 family is, at present, but inadequately known. 



The magnificent forests and brushes of the temperate and 

 tropical portions of the globe, thick with underwood, and climb- 

 ing plants, must prove, if carefully searched, a prolific source for 

 the production of very many new sjjecies of these lignivorous 

 lepidoptera ; and it is to such localities that the intelligent col- 

 lector will have to look to supply the existing deficiencies. 



Before proceeding further, I have to express my regret that 

 the two examples, male and female, of the insect, now under 



