12 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 



But, secondly, — Is the use of genital structure warranted in the case 

 under discussion? Of course all distinctions in classification are to an 

 extent artificial, and a matter of opinion ; but we will probably all agree 

 that for family or subfamily distinction there ought to be not a simple 

 difference in structure, but in the type of structure. If there be a typal 

 difference, the disiiction maybe made even though intergrades exist. For 

 example, so far as the antennal process is concerned, the Epipaschiina 

 grade insensibly into the Phycitince. But, as the structure is very peculiar, 

 they may properly be separated, la the Phycitince, Mr. Ragonot bases a 

 separation upon the tongue. His basis, however, is not one of type, but 

 of degree, with all intergradations existing, and therefore should not be 

 allowed for anything higher than genera. But the genital structure is of 

 two radically different types, sharply distinct, and so far as I know (and 

 I have examined almost every .\merican species), without any tendency 

 to intergrade ; subfamily distinction is therefore fully warranted. 



I do not stand alone in this my oi)inion. I think there will be no 

 question there is no one living better able to give a judgment in the case, 

 or more honest in his utterance of judgment at all times, than Prof. 

 Fernald. In a notice of my monograph of the '• Phycitidce of N. A.," 

 Can. Ent., Vol. 22, p. 191, Prof. Fernald says : " Mr. Hulst divides the 

 family into two subfamilies, based on the presence or absence of the lower 

 anal plate, and differs from Ragonot, who divides them on the develop- 

 ment of the tongue; from my own studies I am inclined to agree with 

 Mr. Hulst." 



After writing the above, I wrote to Prof. Fernald, indirectly asking his 

 present views upon this subject. His answer I have his permission to use 

 as I please. I therefore quote a considerable part of it, which directly 

 bears upon the subject before us, and which also gives a considerable 

 amount of very interesting history upon the bringing into light of the 

 structure of the genitalia as a prime factor in classification. 



Prof. Fernald says in part: "In 1877 I began my studies of the 

 Tortricidce, at the suggestion of Mr. Grote. In 1880 I read a paper 

 before the Entomological Club, at the Boston meeting of the American 

 Association for the Advancement of Science, in which I stated that I was 

 able to separate the subfamilies of the Tortricida by means of the 

 genitalia. I had prepared and studied the genitalia of a large number of 

 species, and also of individuals under the species. I showed at that 

 meeting a large number of drawings made from the objects by means o* 



