1896.] BUXiEEFLlBS OF TfiB FAMILY HESPERIID^. 65 



is a broad patch of long silky hairs upon the upper surface of the 

 secondaries at the end of the cell, almost entirely covering the cell 

 and the origin of the median nervules. In addition, on the under- 

 side of the primaries there is a broad patch of modified scales, 

 and the inner margin has a fringe of long hairs, which, ordinarily, 



Nearaiion ol Semalea putviaa, Ploetz. }. 

 a. Underside of primary ; i. Upperside of secondary. 



are folded back upon the under surface of the primaries. In 

 S. nox, Mab., the patch of scales on the upper surface of the 

 secondaries is wanting, but upon the primaries on the upper 

 surface there is a broad oval sexual band at the origin of vein 2 

 below the cell. 



Type S pulvina, Ploetz. 



I have brought these two species together, because of the 

 absolute identity of their neuration and the structure of their palpi 

 and antennae, and in spite of the wide divergence in the sexual 

 stigmata. At first glance, without a microscopic examination, the 

 two insects look wonderfully alike. There is, however, a remark- 

 able divergence in the sexual stigmata as indicated above. I am, 

 however, more and more inclined to the belief that sexual stigmata 

 cannot be always accepted as the basis of generic subdivisions, in 

 which opinion I know I differ from some authors. 



219. S. PULTUfA, Ploetz. (Plate 11. fig. 14.) 



Hesperia pulvina, Ploetz, S. E. Z. vol. xl. p. 353 (1879). 



Trichosemeia pulvina, Wats. P. Z. S. 1893, p. 53. 



Oobalus earho, Mab. Bull. Soc. Ent. France, (6) vol. ix. p. clxix 

 (1889). 



Hah. Aburi {Ploetz) ; Gaboon {Good) ; Sierra Leone (Mahille). 



I do not agree with Lieut. Watson in placing this species in my 

 genus Trichosemeia. Th6 broad patch of velvety scales upon the 

 upper surface of the secondaries is the principal point of resem- 

 blance between this species and the type of the genus. In the 

 form of the wings and the antennae and the structure of the legs 

 it difiers. The female is without the velvety area on the second- 



Peoo. Zool. Soo.— 1896, No. V. 5 



