70 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [March, 



Fauna," in which he gave a classification rigidly based on struc- 

 ture, while following as far as pqssible the line of superficial re- 

 semblances. He also follows, the now universally-received law 

 of priority in the use of generic names. We have thus a classi- 

 fication which is thoroughly structural, and promises to be more 

 or less permanent. And we have generic names which cannot 

 be superseded, thus giving a permanent nomenclature. 



As applied to our own fauna, adding where it does not apply, 

 as well as changing in some items of importance, Mr. Meyrick's 

 classification is as follows, by synopsis, so far as families go: 



GEOMETRINA. 



1. Hind wings. Vein 5 present and strong 2. 



Hind wings. Vein wanting, or a fold only Ennomidae. 



2. Hind wings. Vein 8 anastomosing with cell more than one-half its 



length; or when separate, joined by a cross-bar beyond the middle 



of the cell Hydriomeniidae. 



Hind wings. Vein 8 entirely separate from cell, or joined only shortly 

 at base 3. 



3. Fore wings. Veins 6 and 7 stemmed, separate from 8 and 9. 



Microaiidae. 

 Fore wings. Vein 7 long stemmed with S and 9 4. 



4. Hind wings. Vein 5 much nearer 6 than 4 Geometridae. 



Hind wings. Vein 5 near middle of cell 5. 



5. Hind wings. Vein 8 separate from cell at base, then shortly anasto- 



mosing, then rapidly diverging Sterrhidae. 



Hind wings. Vein 8 entirely separate from cell, or shortly joined at 

 base, then subparallel with cell Monoctaenidae. 



The Ennomidae cover many divergent forms. Ripida has 

 doubly bipectinated antennae. Many species have 1 1 veins only 

 in the fore wings, and many have the basal fovea beneath in the 

 male. These correspond to what has been known as the Boar- 

 minae. The greatest aberrancy is shown in wing form among the 

 Ennomidae, as the species have the borders very variable through 

 angulation. 



The Hydriomeniidae cover what has been known as Eupithecia 

 and the Cidaridae. Some of the species have the inner margin 

 of the hind wings modified by a lobe or tufting, as Calocalft'. 

 Those where vein 8 is joined with the cell in the hind win^s also 

 have the inner edge of these wings much modified in some cases, 

 and are known as the Lobophorime. Dyspteris falls in this 

 group. 



