24 



before taking flight. I have seen these fundamental distinc- 

 tions stated by no other author. The rigidity and uniformity 

 of the antennae in the Butterflies point to a decrease of 

 functional use. 



Joined to such diverse antennae, the extremes of which 

 I have given as represented by Hcpiahts and Adela, we 

 have a great diversity in size and shape among the Moths 

 as compared with the Butterflies. The tiniest Tineid is no 

 larger than the diameter of the eye of the Great Gray 

 Banded Owlet, Thi/sania, from the Brazils. The wings are 

 various in color but especially in outline; they have clear 

 spots, looking like holes, Attac-us, Aixttrfftdes, Sehnia, or 

 nearly scaleless, Sesia, Heinaris. In this latter the scales 

 are present on leaving the pupa, and hence this may be a 

 more recent form. The wings are entire but again are 

 ragged and broken in appearance ; in one group they are 

 rayed. As the Pyralidae and lower families have more than 

 two dorsal or internal veins on secondaries, a section has 

 been separated under the name of Microlepidoptera, as con- 

 trasting with all the rest, known as Macrolepidoptera. But 

 the present classification into two Series by Boisduval and 

 Dumeril, seems to be both sufficient and natural. I have 

 found some American Pyralidae with only two internal veins, 

 so far as I could see. The Moths farther contrast by their 

 more woolly, tufted or hairy bodies, their nocturnal habit 

 and a number of details adaptive to their mode of life. 

 Most interesting are the American genera Sphida and Arzama 

 among the Owlet Moths, the larvae of which, as discovered by. 

 my friend Prof. Comstock, are aquatic in their habit, re- 

 calling the previously known Pyralid genus Cataclysta in this 

 respect. The presence of a frenulum and hook on the wings 

 further characterizes most moths. In the males the frenulum, 

 arising from the costae of hind wings at base, is simple. 

 In the following Family of Moths, the large size, and rapid 

 flight has given them a position in the front rank. The 

 first division into groups, as now adopted, will be found in 

 my Sphingidae of Cuba, pp. 17 18 .(1865). 



