155 



Drasteria erichtea, Hubner. 



This resembles the preceding so that I cannot distinguish it 

 except by size. The specimens from the Middle States taken in 

 July expand about 42 m. m. A specimen from California (Mr. Hy. 

 Edwards) does not differ. As forms of this species the following 

 are tabulated : 



a) oclirea, ^ ? , from Colorado Territory and California, received 

 from Mr. Mead and Mr. Edwards (ISTo. 68), is larger and of a uni- 

 formly pale ochreous ground color above, more yellow without 

 markings beneath, displaying on the upper-surface the customary 

 ornamentation of the species ; the expanse is 46 m. m. 



(3) agricola, only ? s. known, darkly but distinctly brown, with 

 obliterate ornamentation, no subapical dots, corresponds watli 

 Guenee's var. B, and expands 46 m. m. 



y) numclula, only $ s. known, hardly distinguished from agricola, 

 the brown tint is wanting and the bands are obliterate; this is 

 not improbably the ordinary female of the species, yet ? specimens 

 occur with the markings of the male type. 



Drasteria caerulea, Qrote. 



$ 2 . — This is decidedly a distinct species, at once recognisable by its blue color, 

 ■which simulates that of the paler blue and stouter forms among the Lycaenidae. 

 Above the primaries are blue-gray, -with the usual markings of the genus, the 

 subapical dots distinct. Hind wings distinctly blue, Avith white fringes and 

 distinct black border; they vary in depth of color, worn specimens become 

 blackish ; two unusually xcidcly separated angulated black transverse lines are 

 more or less apparent, but always faint, sometimes to be perceived with great 

 difficulty. Beneath pale blue, irrorate, without markings and with narrow 

 black borders, and here the resemblance to certain Lycaenidae is intensified. 



Expanse, 20 to 22 m. m. Halitat, California (Mr. Hy. Edwards, 

 No. 91). 



I have five specimens before me of this strangely colored species, 

 which is of small size, with broad wings, and cannot by any possi- 

 bility be confounded with any other. Its distinct gray-blue tints 

 are, to my knowledge, only paralleled in the Butterflies. 



