


ica . > 
7 
— 
—— “~~ 
= $ Cbg — od 
ETE 9 ST TN TE SY 
= z - 

_ 
i 

BRITISH MOTHS 
122 
The extensive list of synonymes given above will at once prove this to be another most variable insect. 
The expansion of the fore wings measures from 11 to 12 inches. They vary in their ground-colour from a pale 
reddish hue almost to black; the costa being darker than the disc of the wing, with several short, oblique, 
dusky lines or spots. The base of the wing is more or less irrorated ; the space between the two ordinary 
stigmata is generally black, the basal one being also often preceded by a triangular patch of black; the 
supplemental stigma is also generally present ; the outer stigma is succeeded by a pale, curved, and wavy 
fascia, edged with dusky, and there is also another nearer to the apical margin ; the extreme margin being also 
marked with dark dots. The hind wings partake of the ground colour of the fore wings, but much paler, and 
are darker along the margin. 
Mr. Bentley has published the descriptions of a series of twelve varieties of this species, forming so many 
links, in which are found the chief of the synonymes given above, and of which the following are the short 
characteristic notes :— 
“Var, 2. Nigricans.—Anterior wings dusky, with three transverse, dark, waved strige, and three stigmata, 
all margined with black ; posterior wings ashy, with dusky margins. 
“ Var. 4. Fumosa.—All the wings blackish, with the posterior stigma tinged with yellow; the teliform 
stigma is entirely wanting. 
“Var. 7. Dubia, female.—With four transverse yellow strigee, the first near the base, and interrupted ; the 
second before the anterior stigma; the third behind the posterior ; and the fourth parallel with the [apical ] 
margin, which is spotted with black ; posterior wings dusky. 
“Var, 9. Ruris.—Anterior wings light brown or reddish, with various yellow spots and streaks ; the 
ordinary stigmata tinged with yellow. 
“ Var. 12. Obeliscata.—Anterior wings red-brown, with a long black spot, interrupted by the anterior 
stigma, and based upon the posterior.” 
Found in woods, marshes, and gardens, frequenting the flowers of the sun-flower in August. The caterpillar 
is found in June on low plants, and is of a shiny brown colour, with black spots and a dentated paler coloured 
line. 

SPECIES 16.—AGROTIS MARSHALLANA. Puare XXIV., Fie. 15. 
This new species, which appears to be most nearly allied to the variety of A. nigricans, which has been named 
dubia, has been kindly communicated to this work by T. Marshall, Esq., M. E.S., with whose name I have 
inscribed it as a slight memorial of his excellent practical knowledge vf Lepidopterous insects. The fore wings 
measure an inch and a half in expanse, and are of a dark sooty brown colour, slightly varied along the principal 
veins with a lighter gloss, the extreme base being rather lighter than the rest of the wing, and partaking of the 
colour of the grey brown thorax. Close to the base of the wing is a very slender dentate, pale, transverse line 
interrupted behind ; then follows, at about one fourth of the length of the wing from the base, another more waved 
pale line, edged on both sides with black, with the base of the black teliform stigma resting on its penultimate 
wave. The two ordinary stigmata are present, but very indistinct, margined with black, the outer one succeeded 
at a short distance, by a slightly-waved transverse row of pale arches, (but very much incurved towards the costa), 
and with a fourth pale streak more irregularly waved and less distinct than the preceding, near the apical 
margin of the wing, which is dotted with black ; the cilia is paler brown, having a fine darker line running 
through the middle of it. The costa is also marked with several very slight, oblique, pale lines ; the abdomen 
and the hind wings ¢ f “OW 4 : 
vings are pale brown, the latter with a central, slightly-darkened lunule, and with the margin 
