[101] NOTES ON CATOCALA PRETIOSA. 213 



or midway between them : mpolygama it is subquadrangular, 

 defined by ferruginous scales, is quite removed from the 

 median shade-line, and is nearer to the anterior transverse 

 line, sometimes quite approximate to it. 



The subterminal line is dark brown ; in polygama, pale 

 gray. The posterior wings have the marginal band sligjitly 

 narrowed on the submedian fold : inpolygama, it is separated 

 or quite constricted ; beneath, the cellular fold is shaded with 

 black (not in pretiosa). 



In size it is smaller than polygamy five examples of which 

 before me measure in expanse of wings, males 1.80, 1.85 and 

 1.90 inch ; females 2 and 2.1 inches. Pretiosa males 1.60 and 

 1.70 inch ; females 1.80 inch. The wings are proportionally 

 broader than in polygamy they are more clouded with black 

 basally, with more white medially, and with less ferruginous 

 in the terminal region. 



Three examples of the species were captured by me at sugar, 

 at Schenectady, N. Y., last year the two males, in perfect 

 condition, on July 8th and 10th, and the female somewha.t 

 worn, on July 16th. 



A fine example of C. cratcegi Saunders was also taken by 

 me at sugar, on the 17th of July. I had recognized it as an 

 undescribed species at the time of its capture, and had so 

 indicated it in my Collection. With the larval state of nearly 

 all of our Catocalas unknown, it is very gratifying that Mr. 

 Saunders has been so fortunate as to be able to accompany 

 the description of the imago with that of its larva 



O. polygama was taken but once by me last season, 

 viz., on the 7th of July, in perfect condition. The examples 

 which I have seen of this species present very little variation. 

 The variability which has been ascribed to it probably arises 

 from the confounding with it of cratcegi, pretiosa, and per- 

 haps some other species. Canadian Entomologist for July, 

 1876. 



Since the publication of the above, through the favor of Mr. 

 G. W. Peck, of New York, I have been able to see additional 

 examples of the species, which show some variation from my 

 type specimens. In those, the marginal black band of the 

 secondaries is continuous, presenting only a constriction on 

 the submedian fold, acute in the female, and approaching to 

 a separation, but slighter in the male. In a pair received from 

 Mr. Peck, the band is disconnected on the fold, to the same 



