1894-] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 279 



Relationship Between Pyralidina and Pterophorina. 



By GEO. D. HULST. 



In ENT. NEWS, September, 1894, pp. 208-10, is an article by 

 Mr. J. W. Tutt, F. E. S., " On the absence of relationship be- 

 tween the Pyralidina and Pterophorina." Upon the subject 

 matter I wish to comment. I perhaps ought not to refer to per- 

 sonal matters, but I suggest that it is not argument to speak of 

 Prof. Fernald as a " would-be teacher" and a " propounder of 

 exploded notions." Every specialist in Microlepidoptera the 

 world over, will accord Prof. Fernald an ability second to no 

 other, and is aware that no one is more desirous of obtaining, or 

 has made more effort to get at all facts, or is more conscientious 

 in his deciding upon their merits. But as to classification I may 

 suggest that fretful scolding will not add to our respect for the 

 views certain ones place before us. Americans will try to decide 

 upon a subject on its merits, and will not swallow what is offered 

 fearing lest we should be scolded or called bad names (scientifi- 

 cally), or because it is labeled "from Europe," or has the im- 

 print of the reigning scientific fad upon it. I have examined the 

 classification of the Pyralidina by Mr. Meyrick, and have studied 

 his classification of the Geometrina. I have no hesitancy in say- 

 ing that my decided conviction is, they are both far in advance 

 of any systems yet proposed; more natural, more definite, much 

 more in accord with the probabilities of evolution, and in every 

 way more scientific. That " no lepidopterists of repute in Britain 

 have accepted his classification" maybe true, but nothing as yet 

 published has suggested that, apart from him, Britain has any 

 " le'pidopterist of repute" in the Pyralidina. That Mr. Meyrick's 

 classification will be endorsed as the best by every specialist, I 

 have no doubt. 



Mr. Tutt criticises Mr. Meyrick's classification, yet in a foot- 

 note, page 209, indirectly acknowledges he has not examined 

 this classification, which Prof. Fernald follows. Mr. Tutt claims 

 that what he calls the Pterophorina and the Alucitina "must be 

 divided into two distinct families." That is just what Mr. Meyrick 

 does, and at some length states his belief in their wide divergence. 



" Orneodidae," is a name of Mr. Meyrick, but it is a name 

 predestined by circumstances. Mr. Tutt may for his purposes 

 or pleasure propose types for genera and families, but as this was 



