1869.] 



291 



ing of the first two joints of the middle and hind tarsi, which, instead 

 of being clothed with bristles beneath, are naked, and marked with 

 several large punctures. The elytra have a few raised points on the 

 shoulders, and shallow punctures near the apex ; the apical part, as in 

 the allied species, is glossy. Costa Rica, Central America ; taken by 

 the collectors of Mr. O. Salvin. 



40, Bartholomew Koad, Kentish Town, N.W. 

 March, 1869. 



NOTES ON THE BRITISH SPECIES OF SCOPARIA (LEPIDOPTERAJ. 

 BY H. GTTAED KlfAGGS, M.D., F.L.S. 



The great stumbling-block to the study of the ScoparicB is un-» 

 doubtedly the difficulty experienced in procuring decent specimens^ 

 owing to an unfortunate tendency many of them have of quickly 

 divesting themselves of characteristic markings when pill-boxed and 

 conveyed in the usual fashion. To prevent this disappointment, the 

 necessity of killing, pinning, and even setting the captures on the spot, 

 is advocated ; and it cannot be too strongly urged that none but good 

 examples should be preserved, for of all things a miserable array of 

 irrecognisable objects is calculated to bewilder and repel those who 

 might otherwise take an interest in the genus. In the present sketch 

 an attempt will be made to show that the various species comprised in 

 this group of little JPyrales are by no means so difficult of separation 

 as is generally supposed ; and it is hoped that, when collectors begin to 

 see their way to a knowledge of their distinctive characters, they will 

 then regard them with a less unfavourable eye, and consequently de- 

 vote a fairer share of attention to them than they have yet received at 

 the hands of British Entomologists. 



Of one thing there can be no doubt, namely, that the bulk of 

 European Scoparice affect high altitudes and boreal latitudes, and it ia 

 therefore but natural to expect that our mountains and northern dis* 

 tricts will yield many species as yet unsuspected to occur here — some, 

 perhaps, altogether new. 



The fore-wing of a Scoparia is divided into three tolerably equal 

 areas by two lines, termed " first " (cut A, 1) and " second " (cut A, 2), 

 the former being nearest the base of the wing : these areas may be 

 respectively designated basal (cut A, 3), medial (cut A, 4), and apical 

 (cut A, 5). It is in the medial area that the most important characters 

 are found, but the other two render us occasional assistance in the 

 determination of closely allied species. 



