the Lepidoptera of St. Helena. 333 
third closely allied, but distinct species, he adds, is found on 
the west coast of Africa. 
As Mr. Walker has identified the above insect as Phakellura 
indica , I give it on his authority, not having had any oppor¬ 
tunity myself of examining the allied forms; still I think it 
might not be impossible that the St.-Helena species is the one 
referred to by Mr. Saunders as inhabiting the west coast 
of Africa. But, on the other hand, the island having been so 
long in the hands of the East-India Company might well 
account (as in many other cases) for the Indian form of P. 
indica having been introduced into St. Helena. 
Genus 23. Scoparia, Haw. 
Scoparia nigritalis. 
Scoparia nigritalis, Walk., in Melliss’s Saint Hel. 190 (1875). 
This is without doubt the most abundant moth in St. 
Helena, and one which swarms to such an extent, especially 
throughout the intermediate districts, as to be absolutely a 
pest. It resides more particularly upon the trunks of the 
trees, from which it will often start, when disturbed, in such 
clouds as well nigh to confuse one with its numbers. So far 
as my own observations are concerned, it would appear to 
occur everywhere, though it is certainly far more abundant in 
places of about the altitude of Plantation than it is either 
higher or lower down. Nevertheless it clearly ascends to the 
great central ridge; and I also met with it commonly in the 
Botanic Gardens. Although a somewhat insignificant little 
species when merely glanced at superficially, it will never¬ 
theless be seen, when examined beneath a Coddington lens, 
to be a most beautiful object, the u cinereous ” scales with 
which it is more or less besprinkled or adorned shining, when 
highly magnified, with a metallic silvery lustre; whilst the 
ochreous tufts combine to give a more variegated appearance 
to the entire surface. It is very fond of flying into open 
windows at night when the candles are lighted; and I have 
frequently seen the panes of glass, when the windows were 
closed, literally covered with it. This was particularly the 
case at Plantation. 
Scoparia similis , E. Woll. 
Expanse 4-5 lines. With the fore wings of a smoky- 
greyish hue, the central portion of the disk being darker and 
having a somewhat band-like appearance. The base is dark 
brown, followed by a greyish space which exteriorly is bor- 
