MAMESTRA ABJECTA. 79 



between them, for as in the younger larva, so in the 

 full-grown one, this interval of skin presented a notice- 

 able character : a flesh-coloured short dorsal division 

 appeared on the hinder part of the plate. The spiracles 

 black ; the ventral and anal prolegs fringed with dark 

 brown hooks. 



The pupa ( ? ) measured a trifle more than seven- 

 eighths of an inch in length, and a little over two- 

 eighths in thickest diameter, the shape similar to 

 that of polyoclon, the abdominal tip with a flattish 

 prolongation terminating with two straight pointed 

 spines ; the wing-covers, leg and antenna cases rather 

 roughened, and on the back of the abdomen a narrow 

 band of punctate roughness lay across the front of 

 each flexible segment. The colour for some time was 

 brick-red, but as it matured became purplish-brown, 

 with the tip pitchy black, having generally little gloss. 



As to localities, I am disposed to believe with Mr. 

 Stevens that wherever its food-plants, Poa maritima, 

 distans, and Borreri, grow along sea- banks, the margins 

 of tidal rivers, salterns, muddy creeks, and salt-water 

 ditches, abjecta may there be found ; but be this as it 

 may, I am now able to appreciate properly the hard 

 work Mr. Stevens must have expended in his perse- 

 vering researches, which were formerly so successful 

 in the neighbourhood of Grravesend and at other 

 similar places. (W. B., 30, 4, 79 ; E.M.M. XVI, 

 19, 6, 79.) 



Mamestra furva. 



Plate LXYI, fig. 2. 



For the long-desired opportunity of studying the 

 larva of this species I am greatly obliged to Mr. 

 John Dunsmore, of Paisley, whose unwearied kindness 

 throughout the winter of 1876^7 in repeatedly hunt- 

 ing up specimens for me, in spite of adverse weather, 

 has my warmest thanks ; and I must not omit my 



