1889.] 431 



Re-occurrence of Oxyptilus pilosellce in England, with notes on its nearest 

 allies. — Some doubts have recently been expressed, elsewhere, as to the accuracy of 

 the records of former captures of Oxyptilus pilosellce and 0. hieracii in this country. 

 Special interest, therefore, attaches to the re-discovery of the former species this 

 year. My old friend, Mr. Sidney Webb, has forwarded specimens taken by himself 

 near Dover, which agree most accurately, not only with older British specimens in 

 my collection, but with German examples sent me long ago by the late Professor 

 Zeller. That these Dover specimens are genuine pilosellce does not, I think, admit 

 of the smallest doubt. 



Perhaps a few words on the distinctions between our species in this closely 

 allied group may not be out of place. 



In pilosellce, the costal margin is much arched beyond the middle, so that the 

 apex is long, pointed, and drooping. The two pale fasciae (which, in all these species, 

 cross the divisions of the fore-wings) are in pilosellce yellowish-white, oblique, not 

 very narrow nor well defined. The third feather (division) of the hind-wing has a 

 large dark brown tuft of scales near the tip. 



Hieracii is of the same size, but with the costal margin less arched, and the 

 apex more blunt and squared ; the fasciae are more perpendicular, narrower, and 

 more sharply defined. The tuft on the third feather of the hind-wing is brown, and 

 is situated just beyond the middle. 



Parvidactylus is considerably smaller, of the colour of pilosellce, and with 

 oblique fasciae, but these are narrow, bright, and sharply defined ; the costal margin 

 is much less arched, and the tips less produced, though hardly so blunt as in 

 hieracii. The dark tuft on the third feather of hind-wing is large, and placed 

 nearly at the tip. 



Distans is of a paler duller colour than the three foregoing, and its pale fasciae 

 are so placed as to resemble crescents, especially when the insect is alive and at rest. 

 Its shape and size are similar to those of hieracii, and the tuft on third feather of 

 hind-wings is similarly placed, though small and inconspicuous, but the species is at 

 once distinguished by its broad, ill-defined, pale fasciae. Lcetus appears to be a paler 

 form of this species. 



Heterodactylus, Hw, {teucrii, Greening), which was at one time mistaken for 

 hieracii, is, perhaps, the largest of the group, at any rate, its wings are decidedly 

 broader, and from its dark colour and bright white markings, it is by far the most 

 handsome. Its costal margin is much rounded, tips long and drooping, fasciae fairly 

 broad and brightly defined, and the inner (dorsal) margin of the fore-wings is edged 

 with bright white cilia, in which are three black dashes. The third feather of the 

 hind-wing has a large blackish tuft, and the anterior portion of the feather is white, 

 with numerous black dots. 



Several more species are recognised on the continent, and some of them — 

 ericetorum and didactylus, for instance — are very pretty. In all, the distinctions 

 appear slight but constant. — Id. : September 17th, 1889. 



Crambus myelins.— T\ub year I again had the pleasure, with Mr. Herd, of 

 having a day in search of this species, and one of the incidents of the day I think 

 worthy of record. We had searched the old haunt of the species, treading almost 

 over each spot so well remembered by the capture of specimens in former years, but 



