NOCTUID-aE, 101 



furnished, on the anal segment, with tubercular elevations, or a conical pro- 

 minence; in one group the sides are ciliated, and in others they are clothed 

 with long fascicles of hair: pupa various, most frequently subterraneous, 

 sometimes foUiculated; the foUiculus simple, mixed with hair, or small frag- 

 ments of wood, earth, &c. 



The insects to which I have restricted the term Noctuidse, " par 

 excellence," are so extremely similar in general structure, although 

 considerably diversified in appearance, that, as observed in a former 

 page, it is nearly impossible to frame distinguishing generic cha- 

 racters : nevertheless, it cannot be disputed, that the family com- 

 prises many very distinct genera ; a fact that receives confirmation 

 from the recent labours of the continental naturalists, Ochsen- 

 heimer, Treitscke, and Boisduval, who have proposed several generic 

 divisions in this family, and have each given an incomplete arrange- 

 ment of the European species, in accordance with their respective 

 views; those of the former writer forming the basis of the others. The 

 following arrangement * differs materially from either, as the loca- 

 tion of several of the genera, as proposed by the above writers, 

 appears to me unnatural ; though, as I am fully aware of the utter 

 impossibility of placing the whole in one continuous series, I do 

 not presume to assert that my views are more correct. Dr. 

 Horsfield, upon the consideration of their metamorphosis, thinks 

 that the European species should be divided into three famihes; 

 though, from the perfect insects being so extremely similar, I have not 

 ventured to separate them, but have attempted to arrange them 

 somewhat in accordance with their transformations; of which I shall 

 endeavour to point out the peculiarities, as I proceed with my 

 descriptions. 



The typical groups of the Noctuidse, as their name imports, fly 

 only by night, and repose during the day, in the crevices of the 

 bark of trees, old walls, palings, &c. ; though others not only fly 

 by night, but during the afternoon and at twilight : the position of 

 the wings during repose varies much; in some groups, (as Triphsena, 

 &c.) they are placed horizontally, and closely applied to the body, 

 giving the insect a somewhat cylindrical form ; in others, (Catocala, 

 &c.) they are also placed horizontally, but somewhat expanded, and 

 forming a triangle ; in others, (as Plusia), they are considerably de- 

 flexed, and the thorax is also greatly crested: there is also considerable 



• See Addenda for the tabular view. 



