IN THE BRITISH ISLANDS. 11 



striga modified into a row of pale dots. 

 3. var. connexm, Haw. Another sub-variety of var. catenatus, with 



the reniform and orbicular joined by a double line. 

 4. var. corticcus, Haw. Another sub-variety of var. catenatus, with 



the orbicular denticulate instead of round, and the strigse 



partially obliterated. 

 5. var. venosus, Haw. Another sub- variety of var. catenatus, with the 



veins broadly fuscous. 



With regard to the general variation of this species, we read in 

 Humphrey and Westwood's < British Moths,' p. 116: "This most 

 variable insect measures from 1^ to nearly 2 inches in the expanse of 

 the fore wings, which are of a brown colour very inconstant in its 

 hue, sometimes being nearly black, and considerably irrorated with 

 darker shades." " The position, form and development of the fascia, 

 beyond the posterior stigma, is very variable, the varieties rising 

 therefrom having been regarded as distinct species; as have also 

 numerous others, produced by the general colour of the wings, the 

 greater or less distinctness of the stigmata and fasciae etc. The female 

 is darker than the male, and both sexes have the hind wings nearly 

 white with a purplish tint, and with the hind margin and veins dusky, 

 especially in the female." Guenee writes of this species : " It varies 

 very much without doubt, but not sufficiently to have caused Ha worth 

 to create nine different species. It is difficult to classify these different 

 varieties, the intermediate forms being as numerous as the varieties." 

 " I have a specimen from Central India and another from Pondicherry 

 which do not differ from our European specimens " (' Noctuelles,' vol. 

 v., p. 275). The species apparently occurs throughout Asia and Africa. 



a. var. catenatus, Haw. This pale whitish-grey form of segetum 

 is a comparatively rare variety. Haworth's description is : " Alis 

 nitide-griseis, stigmate reniformi ad strigam moniliformem attingente, 

 alis posticis albis." " Exemplar unicum tantum vidi, Mas." " Prsecedenti 

 affinis (subfuscus), sed vero differ t primo intuitu, alis posticis albis nee 

 fuscis. Alceanticce griseaa fusco et atro paulo nebulosaa. Ad marginem 

 posticum striga e punctis atris confluentibus. Stigma anticum 

 subocellare seu annulare puncto atro pro pupilla. Alee posticce albas 

 immaculatas, margine solo nigricante " (' Lepidoptera Britannica,' pp. 

 114, 115). My best example of this pale form came from Deal, but 

 the elbowed line, which in my specimen is almost moniliform, is not 

 quite in contact with the reniform, neither do the black spots on the 

 outer margin quite form a continuous striga. 



P. var. pectiuatus, Haw. Tbis sub-variety of catenatus is described 

 by Haworth as : " Alis griseis, stigmate postico ad strigam pectinatam 

 attingente, alis posticis albis." " Exemplaria duo tantum vidi. Mas, 

 praecedenti simillimus, differt stigmate teliformi duplo minore. Striga 

 postica extus pectinata est nee moniliformis. Stigma anticum et alas 

 posticae ut in praeced en te "(' Lepidoptera Britannica,' p. 115). This 

 variety appears to differ only from the preceding in the smaller size 

 of the claviform, and the elbowed line not being moniliform. 



y. var. spinuhis, Haw. Another sub-variety of catenatus, with the 

 reniform not touching the elbowed line. Haworth thus describes this 

 variety : " Alis nitide-griseis stigmate postico ad strigam posticam 

 non attingente." " Stigmata ordinaria inedio atra circulo griseo, atro 



