THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 17 



AN EXPLANATION. 



On the Report of the Entomological Club, as given in the Canadian 

 Entomologist for November, pp. 246-247, I would make the following 

 remarks : — 



Mr. Smith's statement that there are two distinct series in the 

 SphingidcB, as also that the Smer'uithince have their probable orgin in 

 Ceratocampid forms of the Bombycidcs are both original with myself. 

 The series Hemaris., Choerocampa and Smerinthus belong together. So 

 far as I know, I am the first to show, from imaginal and larval characters, 

 that C/ioerocampa and SmerintJuis are allied, and I am the first to 

 describe an ocellated Choerocampid from Brazil. The anal horn of the 

 Sphiiigidce is to be regarded apparently as the last remnant of the Bom- 

 bycid dorsal series of thorns. So far as known to me, I am the first 

 author to point out that older Lepidopterous types occur in America than 

 in Europe, and that from the study of our Bovibycid fauna fresh sugges- 

 tions are offered to the probable course of evolution in the order. 



To the statement as to the Zygaenidce, p. 246, I would say that I 

 followed Dr. Packard's views in his paper in the Essex Proceedings. 

 Criticisms as to my arrangement in my Lists are sufficiently answered by 

 this statement. 



To the remark upon the Dioptidce, p. 247, I would state that I am 

 not " responsible " for the reference of Phryganidia Californica to this 

 family, but Mr. Butler, whose reference will be found in the pages of 

 " Papilio". 



To the remarks on the JVoctuidce, I would state that I consider the 

 group as one family with four unequal sub-family groups : T/iyatirince m. 

 (= Thy at ir idee m.), JVoctuime, Pack., CatocalincB, Pack., and Deltoidince, 

 Lntr. I have shown in my writings that these groups are further divisable by 

 sufficiently definable characters for classificatory purposes, and I have 

 used the idea of tribes for these subdivisions in the Lecontean sense. 



It is Mr. Smith's practice to take from my writings what he can use, 

 without credit, and to hang upon minor points of difference, upon which 

 I have nowhere insisted, criticisms which are gewerally uncalled for, and, 

 as above instanced as to the Dioptidce, sometimes incorrect. 



A. R. Grote, Bremen^ Germany. 



