JNOCTUID^. — PLUSIA. 103 



posterior one is considerably undulated and black; in the centre of the disc is 

 a silvery mark resembling the letter u, and adjoining to it is a round silvery 

 spot; posterior margin dark ash; cUia cinereouS;, interrupted with dusky: 

 posterior wings dusky-gray; the cilia dusky with black spots. 



Like its congeners this species varies ; but from its rarity in the south of England 

 I have been unable to obtain more than a single variety^ which has the central 

 silvery marks on the anterior wings, very large and distinct, and the posterior 

 margin broadly clouded with cinereous. 



The caterpillar feeds on the nettle (Urtica urens) : — the imago appears towards 

 the end of June or beginning of July. 



Not uncommon on the extensive moors of tlie north of England 

 and in Scotland, but rarely, if ever, found south of the Humber and 

 Mersey. " In plenty in the Isle of Arran." — Dr. Leach. 



Sp. 5. Gamma. Alls anticis griseo fuscoque variis, gamma grcecorum argented 

 adjacente maculd ferrugined. (Exp. alar. 1 unc. 4 — 8 lin.) 



Ph. No. Gamma. Linne, Bon. viii. pi. 265. f. 2. — PI. Gamma. Steph. Catal. 

 part u.p. 106. No. 6379. 



Head, thorax, dorsal and abdominal crests deep ashy-gray ; abdomen cinereous : 

 anterior wings varied with griseous and fuscous, sometimes with a silvery 

 tinge, with a triangular paler blotch on the costa near the apex, the ordinary 

 strigfe nearly as in PI. Iota, but less undulated ; the stigmata as in that insect, 

 with metallic borders, and adjoining to the anterior one a conspicuous silvery 

 character closely resembling the Greek y, but a little curved at the bottom : ciha 

 griseous, spotted with fuscous: posterior wings pale ashy-brown, with the 

 nervures and hinder margin deep fuscous; cilia whitish, spotted with dusky. 



Var. li. Anterior wings darker, less silvery, and deeply tinged with rosy, with 

 the central character of a golden hue. 



Caterpillar green, with a brown head, a lateral yellow streak and white dorsal 

 strife : it is polyphagous ; — the imago is treble brooded, appearing in AprU, 

 June, and September. 



By far the most common species of this genus, frequenting every 

 hedge and field where flowers abound ; flying during the early part 

 of the day, and in the afternoon, and again before and after dusk ; 

 extremely abundant during September last at the Hermitage, South 

 Lambeth, and in the neighbouring gardens. " Near Carlisle, com- 

 mon."— T. C. Hey sham, Esq. " York and Newcastle."— IF. C. 

 Hewitson, Esq. " Common near Swansea."—/.. W. Dillwi/n, Esq. 



t Sp. 6. circumflexa. Alts anticis rufo cinereoque nebulosis, maculd Jlexuosd 



argented. (Exp. alar. 1 unc. 4. hn.) 

 Ph. No. circumflexa. Linne.— V\. circumflexa. Steph. Catal. part n. p. 106. 



No. 6380.— Ph. flexuosa. Don. xii. j)l. 412. 

 Smaller than the preceding : head and thorax gray-brown, with a reddish tinge 



