Grote.] "^^S [Dec. 6, 



larva lias similar feet to Pseudoips, flat, seal-paddle shape ; it is much 

 more active than Pseudoips and makes a web, giving color to the old ref- 

 erence of the moth to the Tortrices. The cocoon and pupa have much 

 resemblance to those of Pseudoips. I may add, the shape of the wings 

 and the venation offer peculiar characters. There seems to be little doubt 

 that the moth is not Hypenoid, nor would I consider it an Agrotid at all. 

 In fact I prefer to consider Nycteola neither a Pseudoips nor an Agrotid, 

 but as representing a distinct family, oscillating between the Pseudoipsidae 

 and Chlamyphoridoe. I am inclined to lay some stress on geographical 

 distribution in these matters. The Pseudoipsidae and the Anthroceridse are 

 peculiar to the Old World, just as the Citheroniidae and perhaps the La- 

 cosomidae are exclusively American. ButRivula and Nycteola are clearly 

 descended from the same preglacial fauna with our other N. American 

 representative forms. It seems probable that the Pseudoipsidae in Europe 

 appeared at a different epoch upon the scene of their present distribution 

 and were not included in the preglacial arctic fauna at the time of its dis- 

 integration by the first Ice Period. 



The study which Dyar kindly communicates to me upon Nycteola 

 undulana {rtvayana) bears out its relationship to Pseudoips and narrows 

 its claim to be considered a distinct family still more. By this in the 

 larva of Nycteola tubercle iv is remote from v, behind the spiracle or 

 nearly so, the subprimary retae present, a leg plate instead of tubercle 

 vii. The larva thus clearly belongs to the superfamily Agrotides. The 

 setae are all single, no secondary ones and the legs are normal. Nycteola 

 is thus restricted to the Agaristidae, Noctuidae, Pseudoipsidae or Ptilodon- 

 tidae. Some of the Arctians and Lithosians have the warts degenerated to 

 single retae, but Mr. Dyar detects no evidence of degeneration in Nycteola. 

 In the moth the resemblances lie with the Pseudoipsidae. The venation 

 is similar, especially the stalking of veins 3-4, the origin of 8 on hind 

 wings ; 6 and 7 from cell on fore wings. I rely on the shape of the 

 wings, tlie minor differences of neuration, the somewhat different larval 

 habit to sustain the family rank. The palpi, very different from Pseu- 

 doipsidae, approach the CMamyphoridce, (Jiolidai). It seems likely that the 

 three groups are related, but have separated as long ago as perhaps the 

 Miocene, certainly loug before the Ice Period. They appear as strange 

 elements when associated now in one "family, "and are perhaps best 

 kept apart in our classifications. The genus 8arrothripa of Curtis is a 

 synonym of Nycteola Hiibner, 1806 (1811). 



In the Canadian Entomologist, 158, 1895, I have criticised the methods 

 employed by Mr. J. B. Smith in identifying the " types " of the late Mr. F. 

 Walker in the British Museum. The immediate occasion was the iden- 

 tification of Acronycta cristif era of Walker with my Mame»tralubens, and 

 I believe my evidence is decisive. Further instances of error are offered 

 by Mr. J. B. Smith in his recently published Revision. On page 393 of 

 the Catalogue, Mr. J. B. Smith reports the result of the examination of 

 the " type " of Hypena (.') idmitalk Walker, and positively identifies it with 



