A. R. Grote's Notes on the Zi/gsenuJse of Cuba. 327 



often few species, as of a family affinity with their strongly charac- 

 terized genus. In the purely American Iepidopterological faunal 

 districts of our Northern Continent, north of the Gulf of Mexico, 

 representatives of the genus Zygsena, are probably wanting, and we 

 have but few forms, in the minority of cases with European analo- 

 gues, such as Acoloithus* Clemens; Scepsis, Walk.; Ctenucha, 

 Kirby; Callalucia, Grote; Pyromorpha. ff-S., and Lycomorpha, 

 fiarm, though these are prophetic of the Southern development of 

 the Sub-family, or, viewing the Zygaanime from their metropolis, these 

 genera are the scanty feelers which are stretched towards our boreal 

 regions. These contrast strongly with the prevalent Bombycidae by 

 which they are surrounded. Compared with the stouter Sphingida? 

 and Xoetuidae, the Zygamina; and Bombycida; are weaker in structure, 

 and in effect seem more subject to climatal influence. In intertropical 

 America, the most numerous representation .of the Bombycidae seems 

 to be afforded by those Aretiidae, which, in their analogies, copy the 

 Zygamina?. The weight of a prevailing Zoological structural form is 

 thus best measured by its influence on its surroundings. 



I give here a list of all the species of Sphingidae, iEgeriidse, Bom- 

 bycidaa and Zygaanidae, which I am led to believe have been authenti- 

 cally determined as Cuban. I have elsewhere recorded Prof. Poey's 

 opinion as to the species noticed by Lucas in the work of D. R. de la 

 Sagra, and have only to add since examining the book, that it bears 

 internal evidence of its unreliability as to the habitat of very 

 many of the insects therein contained. Where these have not been 

 mentioned by other Authorities as found in Cuba, I have accordingly 

 very naturally disregarded them; while, in any case, the descriptions of 

 many of the moths would prevent the recognition of the species. 



I have used the following marks in this list: -f after a species indi- 

 cates that, while acquainted with the species, I do not know it from 



: From the circumstance that Dr. Clemens separated Procris americana, ge- 

 cally form his Acoloi thus falsarius, the latter wis not recognised by Dr. 

 Packard, who described the species subsequently as Bfarrisina Sanborni. This 

 species being generically identical with Procris americana. Dr. Packard's genus 

 becomes synonymous with Acoloithus, Clemens, while the latter apellation must 

 be retained, following the law .if priority. Our species will then be as follows: 



ACOLOITHUS, Clemens. 

 1. Acoloithus falsarius, Clemens! (Harrisina Sanborni, Pack.) 

 '1. Acoloithus americanus! (Procris amer., Boisd.; Procris dispar, Harris Cat.; 



Ctenucha amer., Walk. ; Harrisina amer., Packard; 



Aglaope amer., Clemens.) 



