208 J. B. SMITH. 



I did not particularly note them, because I preferred not to use this 

 character to separate even groups, as it would necessitate the use of a 

 microscope — an instrument which not all students or collectors have. 



Regarding the arrangement of the species of each genus, and of the 

 sequence of the genera in the appended list it is necessary to say a few 

 words. 



Species are catalogued in the list as they follow in the synopsis, except, 

 in Shinia. In this genus I have arranged them in accordance with 

 superficial resemblance, retaining however as far as possible the §§ into 

 which the genus is divided in the synopsis. 



Genera are placed so that those most closely allied are nearest together. 

 The arrangement of the species and genera in Mr. Grote's various lists 

 is entirely unnatural, and the fact that many species which were not 

 congeneric were placed in the same genus, and that genera so closely 

 allied as Shinia and Lytjnmthoecia, (sensu Grote) were widely sepa- 

 rated, renders that almost a necessary consecpuence. 



Accepting as I do the theory of evolution and of modification by 

 environment, I could not expect and did not attempt to show in a linear 

 series all the relationships of the group — that I leave for a future work, 

 when in a chart I hope to show the affinities of the Nurtuidae with the 

 other Lepidoptera, and of the genera with each other. 



The affinities of the group, as was to be expected, tend in every direc- 

 tion. Accepting Hetiothi* as the centre, it is preceded by Anarta and 

 followed by Avontia. Pippona, Antapluga and Aedophron, ally it to 

 Cucufh'a, Oleophana, and Nycterophaeta. Cirrhophanus (Chariclea 

 sennit Grote) allies it to Plusia and JBasihdes. (Jharivlea (Pynhia 

 Grote) unites it with Xunthia and Orthopia. Cirrhophanus I have 

 omitted from the group, as rather more nearly allied to Plusia. 



I head the group with Sympistes which differs from Anarta chiefly 

 in having naked instead of hairy eyes. Of the same shaggy form but 

 with round eyes and a rather more He/iothid appearance is Pseudan- 

 thoecia. Dasyspoudaea is closely allied but differs by the armed tibiae. 

 Triocnemix with narrowed primaries and robust form is followed by 

 Aedophron , which by its clypeal structure and wing form tends strongly 

 to Cleopliana . Pippona has strong affinities in the same direction, but 

 has heavily armed anterior tibiae. From this point Antapfaga, Grotella 

 and perhaps Epinyctes and Bessu/a form a spur pointing to some forms 

 of the Pli(siiii(ie. Pyrrhia and Htliothis best find space here, followed 

 by Alaria with its strong Heliothid appearance and spinulated tibao, the 

 anterior not very decidedly abbreviated. Shinia follows next, and com- 



