182 [January Jan ua 
extremity viewed from beneath, rounded off into a crown of short protuberances, in 
of which two thick and short ones are close together and centrally situated, while 
each side is flanked by two delicate distant teeth; viewed from above, the thinner 
extremity shows only the two central protuberances plainly. Segments of the 
puparium, and a row of lateral stigmata on each side, visible to the naked eye. 
Length, 53 millimétres. 
Greatest width, 2 millimétres. 
By this description it will be seen, that these puparia belong to one of the 
Muscide ; but I think it hardly safe to speculate as to their nearer relationship. I 
have placed the four healthy specimens in my possession under different “ régimes ;” 
but, as the wintering of such pups isa ticklish matter, I think it advisable to 
publish this note now; then, happen what may, the next observer who comes 
across their home, “that wee bit heap o’ leaves,” will know it; and will perhaps 
complete Mr. Norman’s interesting discovery, by rearing the fly—ALBERT Mutter, 
South Norwood, 8.E., November 11th, 1871. 
Occurrence near Derby of a Noctua new to Britain: Agrotis helvetina, Bdv.—On 
the 16th of November last, I received from Mr. George W. Taylor, of Derby, a strange 
looking Noctua, quite unlike any recorded British species. Mr Taylor informed me 
that in July, 1870, he had captured this specimen (a ¢) as it was flying along a 
hedge, and that about the same time his cousin had secured two more examples of 
the unknown. He had since vainly endeavoured to get the insect named; and at 
last, in despair, I suppose, forwarded it tome. Unfortunately, the only specimen of 
helvetina to which I had access for -purposes of comparison was a male, and this 
differed from Mr. Taylor’s insect both in the fore-wings and length of the antennz ; 
so that after taking a description of it I at once returned it, with a request that a 
male might be forwarded, in the event of either of his cousin’s captures proving to 
be of that sex. One of these, a male, was most obligingly sent to me, and settled 
the question by showing that his antennzs were not too long, and that the ipices 
of his fore-wings were of the requisite acuteness—in short, left no doubt whatever 
in my mind as to the proper place of the species in nature. 
Agrotis helvetina is quite an inch and three quarters in expanse. The fore-wing 
is of a unicolorous reddish-ochreous drab, approaching pale dull fawn colour, with a 
peculiar silky or satiny texture and lustre, which at once arrests the attention, 
particularly by gas light; the reniform stigma is faintly indicated and tinted, at 
the side towards the apical margin, with leaden colour; and except that, when 
examined at certain angles, the elbowed line is faintly discernible, there are no 
other markings. The hind-wings are silky fascous-whitish, with a barely discern- 
iblelunule. The cilia ofall the wings ochreous-drab. Antennz long and setaceous. 
Thorax and abdomen of the same colour as the fore-wings, the anal segments 
being slightly more ochreous. 
Under-surface of fore-wings fuscuus, tinzed with fawn colour, and shining, 
more fawn coloured along the costa; beyond the middle are three faint costal 
marks, and another near the apex; the wings are margined with darker fuscots, 
and the cilia are paler. Hind-wings shining whitish-fuscous, fawn coloured towarcs 
the costa, with a dusky lunule faintly marked; at a little distance from, and 
parallel with, the hind-margin is a dusky transverse shade. Cilia as in fore-wing. 
war 
47, 
Le 
