THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 199" 



The Moths are unequally represented, both as to the number of species 

 and that of individuals, over our territory. The barren and hot lands of 

 the South-west nourish few species, while the lands along the Eastern coast, 

 from Massachusetts to Virginia, seem to be among the most prolific in the 

 variety of kinds. Certain species swarm in certain locaUties, as one or 

 two kinds of Cataclysta on the islands in the Niagara River and else- 

 where in the North. In Alabama, aside from the Cotton Moth, it was at 

 certain times hardly possible for me to read at night by light for the 

 swarms of Acrolophus agrotipemiella and mortipeiinella, which fluttered 

 over the table and the page. Colorado is a rich field for Moths, as also 

 certain portions of Texas, judging from the collections of Belfrage (Bosque 

 County) and Boll. The pine lands of the Southern States are on the 

 whole poor in species, and, in parts of North and South Carolina, I found 

 the collecting poor, without, however, preventing the occurrence of many 

 interesting Moths. Practically we have one common fauna, broken by 

 the Alleghanies and other mountain ranges, until we get as far South as 

 the tropical colony in Florida, while in Texas we meet South Californian 

 species, besides the first indications of the tropical Mexican fauna of the 

 low lands, which extends its range along the coast so far north as Louisi- 

 ana. The Moths go hand in hand with the vegetation and the flowers, so 

 that rich botanical districts are also rich entomologically. Swampy or 

 boggy spots yield many peculiar moths ; the different species of Sarra- 

 ceiiia, the Pitcher-plants, both at the North and in the South, yield several 

 curious Moths, among which the species of Exyra, a genus of Owlet 

 Moths, the larvae of which feed on the folded leaves, are the most note- 

 worthy and the prettiest in color. 



In a final consideration of the second, or South American element, in> 

 our fauna of Moths, we must distinguish, as we have seen, between those 

 forms which have effected a more or less precarious lodgment in our terri- 

 tory and those which, through distinct species, have become thor'oughly 

 amalgamated with the North American fauna. The occurrence of such 

 species as Syllectra mirandalis or erycata, or Thysaviia Zenobia, is 

 undoubtedly accidental and may not occur again for years. On the other 

 hand, there is a stream of certain species which yearly reach points in 

 our territory, such as Argeus Labruscce, without leaving progeny ; there 

 are then other species which have attained a more or less extended foot- 

 hold, such as the Owlet Moths belonging to the genera Anoftiis, Aletia, 



