184 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 



waste of energy in heat. For it must be observed, that while in one 

 sense heat is the cause of all the phenomena we perceive, since they 

 all have existence only within certain ranges of temperature, in another 

 sense heat is frequently a waste product, and the only one by which the 

 dissemination of energy occurs so as to become imperceptible. 



I am aware that the sketch I have here given of the present condition 

 of our knowledge of Lampyridae has been written to the demonstration 

 of my own ignorance (and that of all other students) in regard to some 

 of the most important questions involved. But if I succeed in causing 

 you to look upon these remarkable insects with more interest than you 

 have previously felt, neither my time in preparing, nor your time in listen- 

 ing to this essay, will have been wasted. 



I would especially invite the attention of the younger observers in 

 entomology, who have to pass through the labor of patient field work and 

 close observation of habits, .before they can ascend with -profit to the 

 higher retirement of the museum and the library, to contribute more fully 

 to our knowledge of the development and habits of the different species. 

 I would equally ask the attention of my colleagues, who by long 

 training in refined experimental research are qualified for such investi- 

 gations, to the solution of the physical and chemical problems suggested 

 by the singular production of high light without heat by these animals, 

 which are within such easy reach. And by the solution of these problems 

 I am convinced that our knowledge of molecular physics will be increased, 

 and. our powers of theorizing less fettered by conventional ideas. 



ON THE SYNONYMY OF NORTH AMERICAN NOCTUID^E. 



BY A. R. GROTE. 



I have recently been favored by Mr. Tepper and Mr. Graef with the 

 sight of some of Mr. Morrison's types of Noetuidaa. A few of the 

 specimens are in poor condition, too poor, I think, to have allowed them 

 to serve as types. Others are in good order, and those I have here noted 

 are quite easily recognizable. It will be thought extraordinary, from the 

 determinations, that Mr. Morrison should have allowed himself to criticize 



