( viii ) 



1ii-;::1ccIim1 I'aiuilies of large insects- we cnulil sciirwly asnid discdvi'i'iiig organs 

 liithi-rto nvcrloolu'd, and tlimwing a new light on others which, though known 

 to exist, hatl no! hcen studied e(in)|iai'alively. 



Tiie organ of friction on the ciasper and eiglitii lergite, fouml in many 

 HI" I IS : \\w structure of tlie inner surface of the [lalpi ; the devfdo|iniCMl of the 

 liiiifrr and the aniennul I'ud-segiuenl ; tiie special stiuctui'e of the iiienini of 

 tlie nieso- anil luetacoxae : the diverse deveiopiuent of the alidoiuinal spination ; 

 tlie reduction of (he pul villus and paronyciiium of the ciaw-st'gments ; certain 

 dillerences in tlie end-segment of the antennae ; the pecidiar mid- and liindtarsal 

 coiul), etc., have ne\er been taken into account in the elassitication of the 

 Sj)/iiii(/i(l(tr. 



However, we were very mueli hampered in one I'Cspeet. We should have 

 liked to extend our researciies in the same degree to I lie early stages. The 

 Sj)liiH(/i(/<ic being for (lie greater part exotic sjiecies, the larvae and pupae are 

 known only of a comparatively very small proportion. We were failed nearly 

 everywheiv liy a lack of material. Though we have tried, during the years 

 devoted to study of these insects, to obtain larvae and jnipae from all countries 

 where we have corres])ondents, we had very scant success, and scarcely any 

 success ill procuring the first larval stages. The larvae and juipae of many of 

 (he commonest Hawk Moths are still unknown i[iuintities.'' Nevertheless, our 

 studies of the early stages Lave not been i^uite fruitless, inasmucli as tliey 

 showed us that it is us dangerous to generalise from a few specimens or 

 species in the case of larvae and pujiae as it is in the case of imagines. The 

 studies proved to ns on the one hand that the deductions commonly drawn 

 irom the characters of European Splunyidae are faulty in many respects, and 

 on the other hand that one meets in the larvae and pnjiae witli similarities 

 in not nearly related species and conspicuous dissimilarities in close relatives, 

 .just as one finds such puzzles in the adults — puzzles which are stumbling- 

 blocks lor the classilier, and a source of pleasure for an impiisitive mind. 



The figures of the larvae and pupae are, with few exceptions, of little 

 use, it drawn by amateurs who do not recognise and emphasise the essential 

 points. The illustrations of pupae especially leave much to be desired. We 

 draw attention to the following particulars, which we venture to hope will not 

 be so often neglected in future by the artists who are trying to give an 



As the iirilinary. iioii-residoiU, coUectur in tlif Tropics slums iiillatiag larvae uii aeetmiit ut 

 tlie lime it occupies and the trouble it gives him, we think it ailvisable to call attention hcic to the 

 following very simple mctboil of preserving xmall larvae. Put the larva, after it is suffocated Ijy 

 benzine or chloroform, into a gla-ss tube heated over a flame. The specimen will confraiM, then e.xijand 

 and burst, an<l dry in this expanded state. ],et the tube cool and take the larva out. In absence of 

 a glass tube, one may use a piece of tin or anything that will stand heating. 



