IN THE BRITISH ISLANDS. 



23 



la. Whitish or ochreous-grey, with distinct, transverse lines = trapc- 



zina, Linn. 

 Ib. Whitish or ochreous-grey, with red central band = subvar. 



riifo-pallida. 

 Ic. Whitish or ochreous-grey, with a black central band = sub-var. 



nigro-virgata. 



2. Bright ochreous (slightly reddish), with obsolete transverse lines, 



= sub-var. obsoleta-ochrea. 



2a. Bright ochreous (slightly reddish) with distinct transverse 

 lines = var. ochrea. 



3. Bright red, with obsolete transverse lines = sub-var. obsoleta- 



rufa. 

 3a. Bright red, with distinct transverse lines = var. rufa. 



4. Dark grey, with darker transverse lines = var. grisea. 



5. Black, with pale transverse lines = var. nigra. 



a. var. pallida, mihi. This variety differs from the type in 

 having the complete basal and the angulated lines which form the 

 boundaries of the trapezoid mark which gives the species its name, 

 obsolete. The black reniform spot, specially mentioned in the 

 diagnosis of Linnasus, is generally present in this pallid variety. Sub- 

 var. rufo-pallida. The basal and outer areas as in the last, but with 

 the central area between the complete basal and the angulated lines, 

 forming a reddish band. Sub-var. nigro-virgata, with the central 

 (trapezoid) area filled in with black. I have only seen the specimen 

 previously mentioned, taken by Mr. McKae in the New Forest. 



ft. var. ochrea, mihi. The anterior wings of a deep yellow- 

 ochreous, sometimes with a reddish tint. The transverse lines distinct 

 as in the type. Sub-var. obsoleta-ochrea. Like var. ochrea in ground 

 colour, but with the transverse lines obsolete, the black spot in the 

 lower part of the reniform, however, being generally distinct. 



y. var. rufa, mihi. The anterior wings of a deep red, with the 

 ordinary transverse lines and stigmata well-marked. They are 

 sometimes much dusted with blackish scales. This variety has also a 

 tendency to vary in its extreme forms to a purplish tint, but this is 

 rather unusual. Sub-var. obsoleta-rufa. Like var. rufa, but with the 

 transverse lines obsolete. 



8. var. grisea, mihi. The anterior wings grey, much suffused 

 with darker scales, and sometimes slightly reddish, the transverse 

 lines are generally darker than the ground colour. I cannot help 

 thinking that the abluta of Duponchel (obelisca by error), figured on 

 Plate xxx., fig. 4, is this form of trapezina, but Staudinger refers it 

 to Cosmia abluta, Hb., a species in another genus. As I do not know 

 abluta, I only record my impression of Duponchel's figure. 



e. var. nigra, mihi. A specimen was exhibited by Mr. Williams 

 at the meeting of the Sth. London Ent. Society, Feb. llth, 1892, with 

 the ground colour entirely deep blackish-grey, with fainter transverse 

 lines. I have never seen a similar form. 



7. Family : Hadenidce, Gn. 



This family has but little in common with the two families 

 directly preceding it. Its affinities are very strongly with the 

 Apamidw and Nocttiidte, more especially the former. Among its 



