156 



the Zeuzeridce and Limacodce, their naked larvae and imperfect 

 prolegs excluding them from the vicinity of the Liparidce^ and 

 bringing them to the other side of the Bomhyccs. Have you 

 observed how closely Clostera imitates Acronycta in the larva 

 state, even to the little tubercles on the fourth and eleventh 

 segments ? Yet they are far removed from each other in Mr. 

 Stephens' catalogue. It seems to me that the Notodontm are 

 resolvable into two groups (like almost all the other families of 

 moths), — the type of one being' Clostera, with a pilose larva, and 

 of the other, Notodonta or Cerura, with a naked one. Stauro- 

 pus in its antennae, and Cerura vimda in the color and spots of 

 the thorax, come nearest to Zeuzera and Oiketieua, while Clos- 

 tera and Pygcera tend towards the Acronyctoi by their larvae. 

 I must confess, however, that I do not know enough of the 

 Notodontce to speak with great confidence about them, and only 

 throw out these suggestions in order to see how they strike you. 



DOUBLED AY TO HARRIS. 



Epping, Nov. 16, 1840. 



The Saturnia you allude to was given me by Dr. Bachman, 

 who did not remember exactly how he got it, but believed 

 it came from Charleston. It was in a box with a A'ariety of 

 Charleston insects, so I took it for granted it was found there. 

 As to the name, you are -at liberty, as in the case of all my in- 

 sects, to name it as you please ; I had given the matter but 

 little thought when I wrote to you ; and this reminds me that 

 I have discovered various errors in my memoranda of the 

 generic characters of the American Notodontida', of whicli I 

 sent you a copy. You must take these characters with great 

 caution till you hear farther from me. The history of the 

 Sacktrciger is very interesting. It certaiidy connects the Bom- 

 byces and Psyche, especially by its habits. It cannot possibly 



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