i-i GROTE — SPECIALIZATIOXS OF LEPIDOPTEROUS WING. [Jau. 20, 



of which this series is the last, has, however, been attained in dem- 

 onstrating that modern classificators (I need not recapitulate their 

 names) have been in error in intercalating the Swallowtails be- 

 tween the Blues and the Skippers. In thus doing violence to 

 the characters of the insects, they have separated two allied groups 

 by the interpolation of a third, not at all nearly related to either. I 

 have further shown that we cannot bring in the Papilionides after 

 the Hesperiadae, since this course would break the sequence of 

 character which allies the Hesperiades with the higher groups of 

 the moths, the Sphingides, Saturniades, Bombycides (Agrotides). 

 I do not assert a belief that the Hesperiades have sprung from 

 common ancestors with these, but I find nothing in the neuration to 

 render the idea improbable. And I am compelled to add, upon 

 such evidence as is accessible to me, that I cannot say the same 

 of the Papilionides, all connection of which with any of the 

 above-mentioned groups appears to me to present a high de- 

 gree of improbability. What discoveries await us in the future no 

 one can say, and a naturalist can only come to a conclusion upon 

 the material before him. 



The notion that the Papilionides are generalized forms appears 

 to me to be alike overstated. I lay especial stress upon the fact 

 that the hind wings show but one internal vein, whereas all the 

 Hesperiades show two at least. How the outer vein has been gotten 

 rid of is plainly to be traced in the Papilionides, viz., in the same 

 manner as the shortening and weakening of the inner vein has been 

 gradually effected, from where it is stout and long, as in Or- 

 nithoptera, to where it becomes weaker, more curved and shorter, 

 in Parnassius. This shortening of the vein is accompanied by a 

 hollowing away of the tegument along the inner margin. A per- 

 fect parallel in this movement is sustained between the Papilionides 

 and Saturniades. More than this : I believe I have found in the 

 rounded and full inner margin of the secondaries in OruitJioptera 

 an earlier stage of the hollowed margin of Papilio. For this rea- 

 son, among others, I look upon Ornithoptera as being a relatively 

 generalized form in the group. The ancestors of Papilio might 

 have had two internal veins on secondaries, and in this they would 

 have resembled the Hesperiades. From this point of view the in- 

 ference is irresistible that we should commence our lists with the 

 Papilionides. The specialization of the radius on fore wings keeps 

 pace with the shortening of vein viii on hind wings in the Parnas- 

 stiidse. 



