Dec. 1897] Grote: Classification of Lepidoptera. 157 



carried to its extreme. I try to show, in pursuance of this observation, 

 that it is questionable whether we can believe that the corresponding 

 simplification can be attained by the Radius of the primaries, from the 

 different position and conditions of the two wings. It is also interfered 

 with by the absorption of IVi, This proves the absorption of the 

 Media to have commenced after the absorption of the radial veins on 

 secondaries. 



4. I try to show that the general movement is inaugurated with the 

 secondaries and that these show its effects more plainly than the pri- 

 maries in one and the same individual. We must logically expect this 

 to be the case from the entire course and the resulting theory of the 

 specialization as applied to the wings, and regard it as arising from 

 mechanical causes. 



To descend to the application of these conclusions to classification, 

 I try to show : 



1. That the position assigned by Scudder and Comstock (1. c. Ill,) 

 to the Swallowtails, next above the Hesperidae, cannot be maintained 

 in view of the pattern of the wings. The wing pattern of the Hes- 

 periadae and Lycsenidse is really the same and the interpolation of the 

 Papilionidge at this point is a violent proceeding. Far better is the 

 position assigned to the Papilionidse by Chapman ; best of all the plac- 

 ing of the Parnassi-Papilionidae, in a linear series, at the commence- 

 ment of the Day Butterflies. The longitudinal vein IX on primaries, 

 being a subprimary vein offers a subprimary character for dichotomy. 

 The wing of Papilio loses its generalized characters, by a gradual pro- 

 cess of specialization, in Parnassius. The Parnassi-Papilionidae differ 

 by a "high" character, the loss of VIII on secondaries, from all the 

 other butterflies. They are thus comparable with the Attacinge, the 

 most specialized of Moths. 



2. I have shown the indissoluble nature of the alliance between the 

 Parnassiidse and Papilionidae and that the former are more specialized 

 and should ''head the series." The similiarity in color between the 

 Parnassians and Pierids is adventious and secondary. 



3. I have shown that the Nymphalidse retain the radius in a gener- 

 alized condition. That the higher groups alone show a perfection on 

 on the opening of the cell, but that the upper branch of the Media is 

 not absorbed by the Radius (as in Mancipiimi, Pieris, Nemeobius) but 

 retains generally its position on the crossvein at the extreme upper cor- 

 ner of the cell. I thus show that there is small ground, from the neura- 

 tion, for any supremacy of the Nymphalidse, still less of the Agapetidae, 



