22 The Developmental Characters of 



hidentata, which have eight clasi^ers, and Metrocampa mar- 

 (jaritata and Ellopia fasciaria, which have only six; and I 

 woiUd suggest that the ontogenetic development of these 

 species should be studied carefully, with special reference to 

 the number, relative lengths, and positions of the abdominal 

 legs. The Drepanulid^e and Pseudo-Bombyces have in most 

 cases the full number of legs, but the last pair (13th seg- 

 ment) is sometimes absent, or replacedby forked appendages. 

 The majority of the Nocture larv« have sixteen legs, but as 

 we approach the end of the group this number becomes 

 variable, as will be seen from the following list compiled from 

 Stainton's • Manual ': — 



TRIFID^. 



BoMBYciFORMEs. — Larva with 16 legs. 



Genuine. — Larva with 16 legs. 



MiNOREs. — Larva with 10, 14, or 16 legs. 

 QUADEIFID^. 



Variegat.e. — Larva with 12, 14, or 16 legs. 



Intrus.e. — Larva with 16 legs. 



LiMBAT.E. — Larva with 16 legs, " but looping the anterior 



segments when walking." 



Serpentin.e. — Larva with 12 or 14 legs. 



This fact becomes still more evident, if we make a more 

 detailed analysis of the latter groups : — 



MINOKES. 



AcONTUDiE. 



AgropMla. — Larva geometriform, with only 12 legs. 



Acontia. — Larva geometriform, with only 12 legs. 

 (The larva of A. luctuosa is exceptional, 

 having 16 legs). 



ERASTRim.E. — Larva with 14 legs, half-loopers ; 1st pair 



of clas^jers indistinct. 



Erastria. — Larva with only 3 pairs of claspers. 



BanJda. — Larva with 2 pairs of claspers, 3rd pair 



rudimentar3\ 



ANTHOPmLm.E. — Larva with 12 or 14 legs. 



Phal^noid^e. — Larva with 16 legs, but tw^o 1st pair of 



claspers rudimentary. 



