. THE CA.NADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST 155 



between 4 and 6 on the primaries. This is contrary to Lederer's defini- 

 tion, and, so far, is a single instance ; vein 5 being, in all others examined 

 by me and as laid down by Lederer, nearer 4 than 6 on both wings, while 

 on the secondaries it is often weaker than the rest, or wanting. I do not 

 feel sure that the neuration should absolutely guide us ; it does not seem 

 certain that, in the species not yet examined, it will precisely agree. The 

 absence of an accessory cell is, in the Noctuidce, exceptional, and as yet 

 it cannot here, or in other families, be used as a character, except in 

 a general way. In the Sarot/iripince and Chioephorifice, for instance, sub- 

 families of the Bombycidce, it seems to be wanting, as also in some 

 Lit/iosiijue, i. e., Niidaria ; but, as a general character, it may be said to 

 be either usually wanting or usually prevalent, until every species has been 

 examined and the neuration compared, which is far from the case. In 

 my papers I used it as a general character, not describing particular 

 forms ; hence, while the statement may be modified from a larger know- 

 ledge of the neuration of all the genera and species, it does not imply a 

 distinct error, such as was committed in the original description of the 

 neuration of the genus Cerathosia, where vein 5, on hind wings, was stated 

 to be absent, whereas it is present, and where the configuration of the 

 accessory cell and emanating veins on fore wings were inaccurately given. 

 The neurational distinctions given by Lederer, will not, then, positively 

 distinguish the Thyatirince, which, in other respects, seem true Nocttiidce. 



The sub-family Noctuince, or typical Noctuidce is, then, founded on 

 comparative form, the hind wings being usually unhanded and the body 

 hairy or tufted. I have divided it into various tribes, founded on com- 

 parative characters, grouping about some representative genus. The first 

 of these is the Bombycoidea of Authors, in which the larvae are hairy or 

 bombyciform, and are often singular in appearance or habit. The moths 

 often present some resemblances to the genus Bonibycia, and again to the 

 Dasydiinince. In this tribe the head is usually sunken, the labial palpi 

 short, often hanging (and this character marks bombyciform moths); the 

 thorax has a posterior tuft, while the legs are unarmed. This latter 

 character will warrant my reference of Copablepharon to the Agrotini. 

 The caterpillars make cocoons, and are i6-footed. The European genera 

 Diloba^ Eogetia and Clidia, with single or few species, do not seem to 

 occur in North America. If we have a true species of Demas (Mr. 

 Morrison's Demas is a Hadenoid form), then this European genus has a 



