AND TIIKIR TRANSFORMATIONS. ^33 



The only specimen of tliis insect yet indicated as British is one placed by Dr. Leach in the British Museum 

 collection, the figure of which, given by .Air. Wood, exhibits a strong variety, if, indeed, it be specifically 

 identical with the true Musiva. In this the anterior stigma is distinct, and preceded by a triangular black 

 patch, and followed by a transverse patcli of tlie same colour, l)y which it is separated from the second stitrnia ; 

 there is also a black V-like mark behind the anterior stigma, and several short black spots towards the apical 

 margin of the fore wings. The species occurs on the C(mtinent in August. The caterpillar is ficrnred by 

 Hiibner of a yellowish green colour, with two longitudinal wliite streaks and a brown head. 



SPECIES 20.— GIl.\PHIPHOUA PLECTA. Plate XXVI., Fig. 7-8. 



SvNONYMK.— P/»ate«a Noctua plixta, I.inn. ; Kubr. ; Hubncr ; Haworth ; Ticitsclike ; Stephens ; Wood, Iiid. Ent., pi. 10, fig. 168. 



Hoisduval (Chcrsotis p.). 



This very distinct species measures IJ inch in the expansion of the fore wings, which are of a brownish 

 purple colour, the costa, from the base to beyond the middle and the stigmata, being of a whitish bufi" tinned with 

 reddish ; a black striga runs from the base along the middle of the wing, cut in two near the base by the great 

 median vein, and subsequently interrupted by the stigmata : near the apical margin is an ill-defined pale streak, 

 and the apical margin has a row of black dots. Tlie hind wings are almost wliite, with liiteous ciliw. 



The caterpillar is dark green, speckled with white and black dots, a brownish dorsal line and pale yellowish 

 lateral ones above the feet. The head brown. It feeds on celery, beet-root, endive, and other herbs, in May 

 and August ; the insect appearing to be double-brooded, and flying at the end of June and beginning of 

 September. It is a rather common species. 



DESCRIPTION OF PLATE XXVII. 



Insects. — Kig. 1. Scmi]tliora gotliica (ilic Iicbrcw character). 



" Fig;. 2. Orthosia inst.abilis (the clouded drab). 3. A mottled variety. 4. A darli varietv. 



" Fig. .5. Orthosia intermedia (the connecting drab). 



** Fig. 0. Orthosia munda (the twin-epoltcd quaker). 



*' Fig. 7. Orthosia hinosa (the lunar under winir). 8. A dark vaiiely. 



*' Fig, 9. Orthosia gracilis (the lcad-colourc<l dnib). 



" Fig. 10. Orthosia pusilla (the dwarf quakcrj. 



** Fig. 11. Orthosia cruda (the small quaker). 



" Fig. 12. Orthosia Upsilon (the ding)- shears). ).'5. The Catcijullar. 



Plants. — Fig. 14. Mclica unillora (wood niclic grass). 



Orthosia gracilis, O. upsilon, O. lunosa and van, .and 0. pusilla, are from specimens in the cabinet of Jlr. Bentley. The rest are from 

 specimens, for which I am indebted to Mr. H. Doubleday, who has also procured for nic tlie larva of S. gotbica, which is figured in plate 29, as 

 is also that of O. cruda (auibigua Ilubn.). The larva of O. I'psilon is from Hiibner. — II. N. H. 



SEMIOPHORA, Stephens. 

 The typical, and indeed only species, upon which the present group has been proposed by Mr. Stephens, has 

 the fore wings more elongated and less truncate at the tip than in the Graphipliora;, whilst its strong markings 

 separates it from the Orthosia;, with which it is united by Boisduval. It is from this latter character that the 

 generic name has been proposed, derived from the ( ireek, ^iiixdor, a mark, and (pptw, to bear ; the antenna3 of 

 the males are strongly bipectinated, on which account it has been united with Episema ; the thorax is very 

 thickly clothed with woolly hairs, the hind wings are rather small, and the body rather short ; the palpi have 

 the apical joint exposed, and slightly porrected in front of the eyes. The caterpillar is naked, and has the 

 anterior segment of the body very slender. It feeds on various trees, as well as upon different low herbs. 



