140 THE . CANADIAN ENTOMOLOUIST. 



CORRESPONDENCE. 



BOMBYCID.E— ZYG^NID^. 



In the April number of the Canadian Entomologist, Mr. Schaus 

 states (p 94) that Bombyx has no frenulum. A glance at Prof. Comstock's 

 figure (Evol. and Taxonomy, p. 88) shows it distinct, but very small, so 

 that difference of opinion about it may readily be entertained. This 

 illustrates again that this character is not an adequate one for family 

 definition. Mr. Hampson himself has already abandoned it. (Ann. and 

 Mag. Nat. Hist. (6) xiv., pp. 254-261.) 



In the same number Mr. Grote refers frequently to the Zygsenidse 

 (P- 95)- C^" ^^^ "°'- ^dopt some other name for this objectional term? 

 As lon^ ago pointed out by Westwood, Zyggena is pre-occupied in Ichthy- 

 oloo-y. Moreover, the name is entirely vague, for we have had associated 

 under it most diverse insects belonging respectively to the more specialized 

 Microlepidoptera (my Anthrocerina) and the higher Arctian type of the 

 Noctuina. According to Kirby the type of Zygaena is phegea. Linn., an 

 Arctian, while Hampson follows the old custom, and makes the type 

 iiUpendulcei a micro. I have used the terms Euchromiidse (Syntomidas) 

 for the former, Anthroceridae for the latter. 



Now, we have in North America no Zyg;enidas {sensu Hampson), as 

 pointed out by Prof. Smith ; our Pyromorphidse are the nearest approach 

 to them. Mr. Grote apparently uses the term for the Euchromiidse, and 

 only continues the confusion ; for this fails to bring out the fact, which I 

 think must finally become fully apparent, that the old family Zygpenidje 

 must be separated into elements belonging to fundamentally dissimilar 

 groups of the Frenatae. Can v/e not entirely abandon the term Zygaanidce? 



Harrison G. Dyar. 



THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA. 

 The fourteenth annual meeting of the Royal Society of Canada will 

 be held at Ottawa on the 15th, i6th and 17th of May, 1895. The Rev. 

 T. W. Fyles, South Quebec, P. Q., has been appointed to represent the 

 Entomological Society of Ontario at the meeting. 



Mailed May ist, 1895. 



