6 
receipt of Mr. A. W. Mera’s annual gift of the previous year’s 
volume of “ The Entomologist’s Record.” 
Sciadion obscurata. — Mr. S. J. Bell, series from Sandown, 
Ashdown Forest, New Forest, and Bude, those from the latter 
locality being as dark as the New Forest form. Mr. H. M. Edelsten, 
var. Mundata from Lewes. Mr. A. W. Mera, a pale speckled form 
from Freshwater. Mr. V. E. Shaw, an extensive series including 
very pale examples from Lewes, and Isle of Wight, and sandy- 
coloured specimens from Babbacombe. 
Iodis chrysoprasaria (vernaria) ova.— Dr. T. A. Chapman ex¬ 
hibited these ova and drew attention to the surface of the shell, 
which presented the appearance of a collection of hexagonal cells, 
each having a central knob. Mr. L. W. Newman stated that he 
had noticed that when a box containing ova of this species was 
opened a delicate perfume was distinctly perceptible. 
Discussion on Sciaidon obscuraria. — In the course of an informal 
discussion on this species, which was the subject of a special ex¬ 
hibit, Mr. L. B. Prout mentioned that so far as could be judged 
from the Geometridie brought back by collectors from South Europe, the 
species seemed to be scarce there. Dr. G. G. C. Hodgson mentioned 
that he had seen imagines at Lewes, feeding on flowers at 3 p.m. 
March 17th, 1908.- — Ennomos quercinaria ab. — Dr. H. C. Phillips, 
a series from Kensington Gardens, including 5 with two lines on 
forewings very close together and very pronounced. 
Cidaria truncata. — Mr. L. B. Prout, melanic specimens from 
Wolverhampton, and numerous extra-British examples, including 
an American species known as C. truncata, but showing a marked 
difference in the genitalia. 
HyDRCECIA NICT1TANS AND H. PALUDIS.- ReV. C. R. N. BlUTOWS 
read the following note on the differentiation of these species: — 
Mr. Tutt, in the first volume of his British Noctuae and their 
Varieties, p. 58 et seq. (1891), first called attention, I believe, to 
these two forms. The point of difference familiar to most entomo¬ 
logists appear to be quite sufficient to justify the separation into 
two species, but having given a name to Hydroecia paludis, he 
hesitated to claim for it specific rank. The marked preference of 
paludis to marsh and river or sea side, the obvious difference in 
colour and markings, the fact that paludis and nictitans have never 
been observed to pair, all seemed to point to its separation. 
I have always, since I have lived amongst these insects, been 
interested to know more about them. Eggs are not easily obtained, 
the feeding of the young larvie seems impossible. I have, therefore, 
attacked the question from another side—by examining the male 
genitalia. The drawings which I produce will, I think, bear out 
my claim that the species are distinct. Much less difference in the 
clasps has been considered sufficient to separate species much nearer 
together in outward appearance than this. 
I have in my time distributed large numbers of H. paludis, and 
hope to distribute more, and I hope that in future the insect will 
have the honour of a line to itself, instead, as is so often the case in 
collections, being mixed up with nictitans, as the marsh-form. 
xviii. 
