THE CANADLIN ENTOMOLOGIST. 175 



not consider that the scheme proposed b}' Mr. Westcottfor the publication 

 of an entomological periodical, a practicable one for the Club to under- 

 take. 



Mr. Smith gave an account of the secondary sexual characters of the 

 NoctuidcTS, illustrated by blackboard sketches, showing peculiarities of leg 

 structure in the male butterflies and some analogous variations in the 

 Deltoids, in which latter group the tibiae often become aborted, while the 

 first tarsal joint is often so abnormally developed that it is usually mistaken 

 for the tibia. The peculiar brushes of the fore legs were noticed and some 

 modifications commented on. The abnormal development of the last 

 tarsal joint of Fa/this was illustrated, as was also the peculiar palpal 

 structure of the $ of that genus ; so of antennae, the peculiar bends and 

 tuftings of the $ , especially of the group Hermhiiince, were noted, as 

 were the more usual pectinations. In conclusion, Mr. Smith mentioned 

 the varying practice of systematists as to what generic value these char- 

 acters should have. In some instances these male characters were 

 wanting, while in all other respects the species agreed with others in which 

 all these pecuHar structures were well developed ; on the contrary, occa- 

 sionally a species would be found which offered some peculiar character 

 in the ^ not usually found in its near allies, instancing H. paradoxus, in 

 which the ^ has a pellucid impression in the fore wing, arqund which the 

 venation is somewhat modified. What shall we do with such a species ? 

 The % well fits into Heliothis. Shall the ^ then authorize a genus 

 where the $ offers no basis for it ? Students of other groups should give 

 their experiences. 



Prof Fernald said that in the Tortricids, generic, and even higher 

 value, had been given to these characters. The costal fold was a pro- 

 minent ^ character, abnormally developed in many exotic forms. In a 

 South India form it extends fully two-thirds across the wings, while in 

 other Indian and Japanese species it is very wide, but not so abnormally 

 developed. Families have been based upon these characters, and one 

 genus has been based upon a character peculiar to the ^ only. This 

 genus he thought would have to be abandoned. 



Dr. Horn said that in systematic work and in characterizing a species 



both sexes should be considered. It requires two individuals, a ^ and a 



% , to make a single complete example of a species, and classification 



should consider these individuals together in assigning positions to them. 



