SPECIES GENERAL DES LEPIDOPTERES. 279 



merit is adopted, which would have the advantage of leaving linked together 

 without ohstacle the Noctuelles, the Deltoides, the Pyrales, and the 

 Micro-Lcpidoptera. The Geometrce must be connected with the Bombyces 

 by the genera Amphidasis, Nyssia, etc., which are true Bombyx Pioneers, 

 (Bombyx arpenteurs;) and to the Noctuelles by the above-mentioned families. 

 But up to this time all authors have placed the Noctuelles immediately 

 after the Bombyces, and when I reflect that in upsetting this order so long 

 adopted, there would be as much inconvenience as advantage, I feel but 

 little disposed to make the innovation. 



It is besides, now universally acknowledged, that though the arrange- 

 ment of species upon a single line is imperiously commanded for the con- 

 venience of publications and collections, it is not in complete harmony 

 with the footsteps of nature, who appears to have proceeded in groups 

 linked one with another, nearly without any regular succession; it is 

 therefore very often immaterial which of them is made the commencement. 

 But if there is one division which cannot be separated from the Noctuelles, 

 it is that of the Deltoides, between which groups the transition is scarcely 

 perceivable; so that it appears to me absolutely necessary to make them 

 follow immediately afterwards. If this necessity has not yet been felt, it 

 is that till now the systems have been formed upon European species, and 

 the transition of which I speak are generally met in the Exotic species. 

 I think the examination of my last family will completely evince this 

 truth. The Noctuelles pass then from the Bombyces to the Deltoides, by 

 a succession of intermediate shades; and just as the Pseudo-Deltoides 

 approach the last, so the Pseudo-Bombycoides are allied to the Notodontidte 

 and the Pygeridne. 



I must anticipate an objection which will certainly be addressed to me 

 — that of the multiplicity of the genera. Many persons, strangers to 

 Entomology, will in reality be frightened at the number which I have 

 been obliged to introduce into this division of Nocturnes, and it will per- 

 haps be useless to try to prove to them that I have never created any 

 except against my will: it is, however, perfectly true. It will in reality 

 always be easy to reduce these genera to a very limited number, and I 

 have myself shewn the way by my division into families, which may be 

 considered, if so preferred, as the true genera, by reducing the actual 



* These families have had till now, in Lepidopterology, the name of Tribes. But as this 

 denomination is contrary to all ordinary rules in other branches of Zoology, Botany, etc., 

 I have thought it better to change it before it becomes too old. My old tribes, in fact, 

 correspond to the families of Jussieu, and besides which, language, which one would not 

 wish unnecessarily to ofiend even in technical works, demands that the group which bears 

 the last name, should extend further than that which is designed by the first. I have 

 therefore reserved the name of Tribe for the larger sections which follow the Phalanges, 

 and each of which comprehend a certain number of my actual Families or ancient Tribes. 



