BY E. P. RAMSAY, F.L.S. 415 



few faint reddish spots and a black dot here and there, very 

 sparingly sprinkled over the surface, length (1) 0"82 x 0*6 in. ; 

 (2) 0'S2 X 0-62 in.— (From Mr. K. H. JBennetfs Coll.) 



{To be continued.) 



Descriptions of Australiais' Micro-Lepidoptera. 

 By E. Meyrick, B.A. 



YIII. OECOPHOEID^. 



The OecoplioridcB are the most extensive family of Leijidoptera 

 in Australia. I have at present about 450 species from this 

 region, but the number increases daily, and the total of those 

 inhabiting Australia alone cannot be less than 2,000. A first 

 instalment of these is here given, and the rest vrill follow in due 

 order. 



In a paper recently communicated to the Entomological Society 

 of London I have explained fully the views which I hold as to 

 the limits and relative classification of this and the allied families, 

 formerly included under the head of the Gelechidce, into which I 

 need therefore not enter here. The internal classification of the 

 family was a task of considerable difiiculty, but I believe the 

 results arrived at, though doubtless susceptible of modification in 

 details, will be found in the main satisfactory. Erom the rest of 

 the world only 13 genera, containing about 120 species, have been 

 described, and only two of these (Pleurola and Oecopliora) have 

 been found to occur here, the great mass of the species belonging 

 to entirely new genera, of which I have been obliged to form 67. 

 These undoubtedly form a closely united group, of which the 

 various members are arranged in numerous divaricating branches 

 on a short stem. Erom this close interconnection, as well as the 

 great abundance of the group, I infer with confidence that 

 Australia has been their centre of development, and that those 



