510 
ZOOLOGICAL LITERATURE. 
and H. antiphola (Walsh), the distinction of which reposes, as he states, 
merely upon a difference in coloration of the hairs of the larvee and in its 
food-plant. lie regards the two supposed species as positively identical, and 
indicates certain defects in Walsh’s reasoning as applied to this form; he 
seems, however, to overrate the importance of his objections as regards the 
general question raised by Walsh. (See mite p. 332). Proc. Ent. Soc. Phil, 
vol. iii. p. 636. 
The same author remarks upon a confusiou that has taken place with re- 
gard to certain American species of the genus Arctia] A. americana (Harr.) 
has been confoimded by Walker and Moschler with the European A. eaja, and 
the name applied by the former to A. parthenos (Koxw). The latter is iden- 
tical with A. borealis (Moschler), according to Grote. Grote also regards 
A. speciosa (Moschl.) as nearly allied to, if not identical with, A. virgun- 
cula (Kirby). Proc. Ent. Soc. Phil. vol. iii. p. 637. 
Packard has some remarks on species allied to Epicallia virginalis (Boisd.). 
Proc. Ent. Soc. Phil. vol. iii. pp. 108, 109. 
Grote describes the characters of Arctia saundersii (Grote) and A. virgo 
(Linn.), Proc. Ent. Soc. Phil. vol. iii. pp. 323 and 326, and figures the males 
of both species on pi. 4. figs. 3 and 4. 
Fraser records the occurrence of larvae of Deiopeia pulchella feeding upon 
the seeds of Physostigma venenosum^ the Ordeal Bean of W. Africa. The 
larvae consumed the kernel of the seeds ; and Fraser ascertained that the 
poisonous principle was consumed by them as well as the starch -grains, by 
poisoning rabbits Avith the excrements of the larvae. The active principle of 
the Bean (eserinia) was introduced beneath the skin of the larvae, both in the 
solid form and in solution, and produced no injurious effect ; the application 
of hydrocyanic acid quickly destroyed the catei*pillars. Ann. & Mag. Nat. 
Hist. 3rd ser. vol. xiii. pp. 389-303. 
Grote (Proc. Ent. Soc. Phil: vol. iii.) figures Arctia persephmie 
1. c. pi. 1. fig. 3; and A. decorata $ (Saunders), pi. 1. fig. 4. He also states 
that A. nais (Saund.) is identical with A. virguncida (Kirby), 1. c. p. 77. 
New genera : — 
Platarctia, Packard, Proc. Ent. Soc. Phil. vol. iii. p. 109. Allied to Epi- 
callia \ palpi long, pointed, porrect; fore wings broadly triangular, costa 
convex, apical margin nearly straight; abdomen rather slender. Known 
species P. parthenos (Harr.) and P. borealis (Moschl.) 
Callarctia, Packard, 1. c. p. 114 —Chelonia (Godart). Packard proposes to 
restrict this genus to the two European species C. fasciata and C. pudica 
and a new species from California. Antennje in S subsimple, in $ filiform; 
palpi long, slender, porrect ; prothorax and patagia very distinct; costa 
nearly straight. C. ornata, Packard, /. c. p. 116, from California. 
Seirarctia, Packard, 1. c. p. 119. Allied to Ilalesidvta ; palpi porrect, large, 
and long ; thorax finely scaled ; fore wings long and narrow, costa bent in the 
middle, apex obtusely pointed, neuration resembling that of Halesidota) hind 
wings much produced towards apex. Sp. S. echo (Smith). 
Pyrrharctia, Packard, 1. c. p. 120. Palpi not reaching beyond forehead, 
their scales spreading; fore wings narrow, much produced towards apex, 
