1864.] 
433 
Descriptions of North American LEPIDOPTERA.— No. 2. 
BY AUG. R. GROTE, 
BOMBYCINA H-S. 
Genus GASTROPACHA, Ochs. 
In the Cabinet of the Entomological Society is a 'S specimen which, 
in the absence of further corresponding material, I am disposed to con¬ 
sider as an aberration or variety of Gastropacha velleda Stoll, and 
describe it as follows, comparing it with the ordinary male of the 
species. 
Gastropacha velleda Stoll, var. minuta, m. 
Anterior wings entirely bluish black, the median bands nearly obso¬ 
lete but discernible and apparently occupying the same relative posi¬ 
tions as they do in the ordinary % . Yeins at the base touched with 
white, the subterminal white band broadly indented at the middle as 
in the ordinary % . Terminal line very narrow, whitish; fringes short, 
entirely bluish black—in the ordinary % they are moderately long, 
white, interrupted with black between the veins. Posterior wings and 
fringes entirely bluish black, immaculate, differing greatly from those 
of the ordinary % which are brownish, have a white band along the 
external margin and the fringe as on the anterior wings. Under sur¬ 
face resembling the upper with the veins along the external margin 
touched with whitish. Upper surface of thorax, tegulae and abdomen, 
latter also on the sides, entirely bluish black, differing from the ordi¬ 
nary % in which the tegulae and sides of the abdomen are white. Head 
and collar at base, white, and these, as well as palpi, legs and under 
surface of abdomen, present no great differences from the ordinary % 
in coloring except that the abdomen is somewhat darker shaded. Fi¬ 
nally the wings only expand 1 inch, extreme length from head to tip 
of abdomen | inch. Similar measurements of the ordinary % give 
expanse inch, extreme length inch. 
The specimen is in good preservation, appears well developed and 
exhibits a perfect relative proportion in its different parts. 
Taken by Mr. Ridings during the summer of 1863, in Mass^achusetts. 
AROTIOIBEA H-S. 
Genus ARCTIA, Schk. 
Arctia Persephone nov. sp. 
Anterior wings deep velvety black; all the veins narrowly and en- 
