280 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [November, 



done a century and a quarter and more ago by Linnaeus, Geoffrey 

 and Fabricius, and as science decrees, priority must determine 

 what these and other men did must be respected; hexidactyla is 

 not, and cannot be the type of Alucita. The first definite generic 

 name applied to it was Orneodes, and the family name under 

 scientific law must be based on that. Mr. Meyrick expresses his 

 regret that he must use this name, but he has no choice. 



Mr. Tutt demands that the early stages of the insects should 

 be regarded in classification, and suggests, at least, tha*t the 

 ' ' would-be teachers' ' of America have never done that, and that 

 it was never done till light came from London. All scientists, 

 from the beginning, have recognized what is thus demanded, and 

 not one has hesitated to adopt what has been shown to be of 

 lvalue. The fundamental terms in part show this; Geometrina, 

 Tortricina, and as well the names of almost numberless genera 

 based upon some peculiarity in the earlier stages. But Mr. Tutt 

 gives the facts upon which he bases his sneer at Americans, his 

 scolding of Lepidopterists in general, and his own belief in the 

 so-called " up-to-date science." Let us look into them. 



The " Alucitina" and " Pterophorina" "are distinct families, 

 and have no affinities." First. In the " Alucitina" the larva has 

 a complete circle of hooks to ventral prolegs. We are left to 

 suppose the Pterophorina do not. If so, of what importance is 

 the difference? The ventral prolegs are special modifications for 

 use in an immature stage. At best they correspond in character, 

 though not in importance, to the similar organs in the mature 

 stage, such as the tongue, wings, etc. What is in the mature 

 stage is comparatively of greater importance, as the organism 

 has reached its consummation. The presence or absence of the 

 tongue is of more account than the presence or absence of the 

 ventral legs in the larva. But the ventral legs are modifications 

 of the integument only, entirely thrown off with the stage in 

 which they exist, and correspond exactly to other special organs 



as the modification of the end of the body into a horn, or the 

 hind legs into scent organs and whips for defence against enemies. 

 The tongue and wings have an existence through two stages, the 

 pupal and the imaginal, and are not parts of the integument, but 

 of the skeleton and the internal systems. They are far more 

 essential, far more individual, and necessarily far more distinctive 

 and important in classification. At most the differences suggested 

 would warrant generic separation. 



