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XXVIII. Descriptions of Three Species of Indian Micro- 

 Lepidoptera. Bt/ H. T. Stainton, Esq. 



[Read 7th January, 1856.] 



The three insects I propose on the present occasion to describe, 

 were bred last summer at Calcutta, by Mr. Atkinson. As it is 

 something new to get bred specimens of the genera Coriscium, 

 Phijllocnistis and Lithocolleiis from the " far East," I hope this 

 is but the beginning of an improved state of affairs. 



Unfortunately, I am painfully aware of how very, very little 

 use it is describing a few random species from a distant country ; 

 nay, 1 sometimes doubt whether this proceeding is not actually 

 worse than useless, for the time will come when some one will 

 have to go over these descriptions, to find whether other species 

 from the same locality have previously been described or not ; 

 and it is more than probable that it will take him twice the time 

 to make out my descriptions that it has taken me to make 

 them. 



It appears to me that each country ought to work out its own 

 Entomology, and that while we amuse ourselves with describing a 

 few American or Indian species, we only cause difficulties for 

 future American or Indian Entomologists. Where, as in Ento- 

 mology, the number of species is so vast, the description of a few 

 only, from some distant quarter of the globe, unless systematically 

 followed up, is likely to resemble the martello towers in " puz- 

 zling posterity." 



Yet, doubting much whether I am doing right, I feel tliat some 

 record of Mr. Atkinson's labours ought to be preserved, and, 

 therefore, I have briefly sketched the following descriptions of the 

 species he has sent me. I may add, that Mr. Atkinson is likely 

 to remain at Calcutta some time, and proposes to continue his 

 Micro-Lepidopterous studies there. The species I have now to 

 describe are Coriscium orientale, Phyllocnisiis Citrella, and Lilho- 

 coUetis BauhinicB. 



Coriscium orientale, n. sp. 



Alis anticis griseis, dilute et saturate fusco-vaiiegatis, strigulis 

 tribus abbreviatis costse apicem versus nigris, duabus albidis 

 alternantibus ; ciliis apicis albidis bis saturate fusco-tinctis. 



Exp. al. 4-h lit). 



