Before describing Noctuidæ the structure of the front or clypeus, between the compound eyes, must be examined. In a few genera it has a projection, or again a cup-like depression. The presence of ocelli, behind the antennæ, must be ascertained, and the compound eyes must be viewed under the microscope to see if the surface is naked or hairy.

Last summer Dr. Geo. Engelmann saw some parts of the biological collection here, and was so kind to promise me his help to obtain some species, which I was very eager to possess, viz., Pronuba yuccasella in its different stages, and Phylloxera. By his request, I received through the kindness of Mr. Thos. Meehan, in September, two bundles of the stems of Yucca filamentosa and angustifolia.

In my Report on Silk-producing Bombyces and other Lepidoptera, reprinted from the “Journal of the Society of Arts,” Feb. 13th and March 5th, 1880, I speak of the disastrous effects of the weather on most species during the year 1879.

This year (1880), although the splendid weather we had in August and at the beginning of Sept. allowed of the successful rearing of several species in the open air, the wet and cold weather lasting till about the end of July affected and retarded Lepidoptera, as in 1879; the moths of Samia promethea, for instance, had not all emerged before the end of August. With a ferv exceptions, none of the Indian species emerged at all, and ova of many well-paired female moths were partly infertile.

EGG.—Conical, the base ronnded; marked by 8 or 9 vertical ribs, which near the base are depressed, but on upper third are considerably elevated, increase gradually in prominence and terminate abruptly around a small depression at summit ; these ribs are compressed and their sides are cut by grooves perpendicular to the surface of the egg; the spaces between them crossed by many fine striæ ; color green. Duration of this stage 5 days.

I find Dorytomus mucidus Say running on and flying about Cottonwood trees early in April and again in August. In October it is found under dead bark of trees, in winter quarters. Common.

Xylomiges dolosa, n. s.

Professor C. H. Fernald has sent me a fresh female specimen which evidently belongs to an undescribed species of Xylomiges, and for which I propose the specific name dolosa. The species is black and grayish white, the black dull and lustreless. Eyes hairy, abdomen a little flattened, the tufts are not discernible.

Ariane.—I have not seen Dr. Boisduval's type of Ariane (many of his types of American butterflies he sent me), but the species is easily recognized by his description. He says it is size of Phædra (or like Nephele), in color brown-black ; the fore wings with two black ocelli pupilled with white and with pale irides ; 6 small ocelli on hind wing below, pupilled with white and circled by fulvous ; the same wing crossed by two sinuous black lines ; the females with large ocelli having yellow-fulvous irides ; the small ocelli much less distinct than in the male.

Oncocnemis levis, n. s.

Primaries much shaded with black over dusty ochrey. Markings fine, neat, distinct. The lines black, with narrow included dusty ochrey shades. Half-line present. Anterior line with three dentations. Claviform long, reaching to posterior line, having a pale dusty ochre annulus edged outwardly with black, brown interiorly.

Euchaetes collaris. Fitch.

On Jnne 7th, 1879, I obtained some eggs from a ♀ captured the day before. The eggs were smooth, pale green, spherical in shape and inch in diameter. The eggs hatched on the 12th. Larva ⅛ inch long, pale green, largest at middle of the body and tapering slightly towards both ends. Head slightly bilobed, of a faint brownish color, with a dark brown spot on each side.

The migratory instinct, common to so many species of birds, and even of mammalia, is also exhibited by many species of insects. In the case of birds and animals it has mostly to do with variations of climate, or the necessity of suitably providing for the raising of their young; in the case of insects the causes of migrations are not so evident, and observation is required in order to decide the point, if, indeed, it can be decided at all.

Trochilium lustrans, n. s.

Larger than tipuliformis, with long black antennae, which are whitish before the tips. Abdomen black with six yellow bands, the two terminal ones broader than the rest and continued beneath. Anal tuft black and yellow. Legs yellow, marked on tibiae and femora with black. Thorax black with yellow inner edge to the tegulae. Head black with a yellow ring behind and yellowish stripe on each side of the clypeus.

Eustrotia secta Grote, Can. Ent., xi., 199.

This species, which is frail and wide-winged, has much the appearance of a Thalpochares, but the primaries have an accessory cell.

I have long had upon my desk a partly completed revision of the Calliptenoid series of N. American Acridians. The task I have undertaken in the study of our fossil insects has hitherto prevented its completion ; and as it bids fair to be long delayed, the following notes are published for the assistance of students of that special group, which is remarkably developed in the United States, from whence I have about one hundred species, while Europe scarcely possesses a dozen.

Several times during the last of August and the fore part of September, while working in my garden, I found a caterpillar that without the use of the lens was green with a white stripe on each side. A more minute description would be as follows :

Length when full grown, 1.25 inches, the shape of the body very much like that of A. saucia.

Pegala.—At the extreme south, and restricted principally to the southern part of the Gulf States and Florida, this species appears. Fabricius described it in 1775, in Syst. Ent.; says it is fuscous, the fore wing with a rufous (rufa) band and a single ocellus ; the hind wing with a single ocellus above, 6 below, with ferruginous irides and white pupils.

During the summer of 1879, while working with Professor Comstock upon the natural enemies of the cotton worm, I came across the following passage in his fleld notes of the previous year :—

“August 27.–I found yesterday a cotton worm about five-eighths of an inch in length, which, though yet alive, was being destroyed by three green larvæ which were upon it. I found the specimens abont 10 a. m. Last evening I observed that the cotton worm was nearly eaten. The parasites had very short bodies, which, when they moved, were pointed at one end. I had intended to describe the specimens, but I find that they have spun cocoons about their bodies.

Chilo crambidoides, n. s.

A large stout species with the aspect of Crambus. Fore wings pale ochre with two parallel curved, dusky, interrupted extra mesial lines ; a row of terminal black separated dots ; fringes concolorous. Hind wings pure white, with white fringes. Head and thorax pale ochre. Beneath very pale ; the veins conspicuous.