LEPIDOPTERA. 239 



are generally of an elongated oval shape, rounded at one end, and 

 tapering almost to a point at the other ; and they are destitute of 

 the angular elevations which are found on the chrysalids of butter- 

 flies. 



These brief remarks, which are necessarily of a very general 

 nature, and comprise but a few of the principal differences observ- 

 able in these insects, must suffice for the present occasion. 



Linnaeus divided the Moths into eight groups, namely, Attaci, 

 Bombyces, Nocture, Geometrce, Tortriccs, Pyralides, Tintte, and 

 Alucitcc; and these (with the exception of the Altaci, which are 

 to be divided between the Bombyces and Noctua), have been 

 recognised as well-marked groups, and have been adopted by 

 some of the best entomologists* who succeeded him. 



1. Spinners. [Bombyces). 



The Bombyces, so called from Bombyx, the ancient name of 

 the silk-worm, are mostly thick-bodied moths, with antennas, in 

 the greater number, feathered or pectinated, at least in the males, 

 the tongue and feelers very short or entirely wanting, the thorax 

 woolly, but not crested, or very rarely, and the fore-legs often 

 very hairy. Their caterpillars have sixteen legs, are generally 

 spinners, and, with few exceptions, make cocoons within which 

 they are transformed. 



This tribe has been subdivided into a number of lesser groups 

 or families ; but naturalists are not at all agreed upon the manner 

 in which these should be arranged. We might place at the head 

 of the tribe those large moths, whose Sphinx-like caterpillars are 

 naked and warty, and which, in the winged state, are ornamented 

 with eye-like spots like the Smerinthi; or, we might place first 

 in the series the moths whose caterpillars are wood-eaters, with 

 the habits and transformations of the JEgerians; or, we may be- 

 gin with the smaller species, with hairy caterpillars, whose habits 

 and transformations are like those of the Glaucopidians , and 



* It is hardly necessary to say that among these are Denis and SchiffermUller, 

 the authors of the celebrated " Vienna Catalogue", besides Latreille, Leach, 

 Stephens, and others, whose classifications of the Moths, how much soever va- 

 ried, enlarged, or improved, are essentially based on the arrangement proposed by 

 Linnams. 



