( - ) 



cImavs sini]ili'. — Frcimliim luid rctiiiuciiluiii iircsciit or iib.seiit ; an olungate suhbiisal 

 ])at('.li of glossy, modified, scales on fdrewiiiy Ijelnw liidiind SRP, on liiudwing above 

 before C. — Neuration ; fore wing; : no areole ; SC and SC-'^ before ajjex of cell, 

 SG^ and SO' on a long stalk, free part of SG^ very weak and short, and mostly 

 absent (individually variable) ; SO^ ending close to a])ex of wing, sometimes 

 continned along edge and joining SG^ at apex, SG^ from SC* at about one-third 

 the way from cell to apex, R^ from upper angle of cell or shortly stalked with 

 SG''"° ; R^ from below centre of apex of cell, but always well above angle ; M^ 

 before angle of cell, RP in or near middle of cell ; SM^ absent, SM' forming fork 

 at base with SM- ; upper angle of cell more distal than lower angle. — Hindwing : 

 G and SG- separate, connected with one another by a conspicuous slanting bar 

 (= SG') in or near middle of cell ; SG- or (seldom) R' ending at farthest point of 

 wing ; R' from ujjjjcr angle of cell, often from SG- ; R- in or near centre of cell, 

 never from lower angle ; R' and M' separate, or (seldom) stalked ; SM' absent.^ 

 Genital armature of cJ : tenth segment simple or divided, the tergite as well as 

 tlie sternite, the latter often without process, the segment asymmetrical in several 

 instances. Glasjieis very variable in size and shape, often with a patch of frictiou- 

 s<'ales dorsally on outer surface, the number of such scales sometimes reduced to 

 one, in man}' cases this organ (piite absent ; in some AmhuUcinae a corresponding 

 organ on innerside of eightii tergite. Armature of clasper very variable according 

 to species and genera, sometimes the two sides diflerent. Penis-sheath and penis- 

 funnel also much diversified in the family. — Genital armature of ? : vaginal 

 ai)erture generally surrounded with ridges, processes, or folds, but often lacking 

 special armature, occasionally asymmetrical in position. 



Distribution: all regions except the antarctic zone, reaching northward to 

 Laj)land, southward to New Zealand and Patagonia, most plentiful in the tropics. 



The bulk of the species of this family is easily recognised by their peculiar 

 and well-known Jiabitns, but some might easily be passed over as Notodouts. An 

 examination of the antenna, abdomen, and neuration will show their true position. 



II. A. Sphiiiijiddi' ascmanophonie. 



First segment of palpus without jiatch of short sensory hairs on the inner 

 surface near base. 



II. B. SpliiiHiiilitc xfiiid i/ophorac. 



First segment of palpus with a patch of short sensory hairs on the inner surface 

 near base. 



II. A. Sphingidae asemanophorae. 



The ijatcii of sensory hairs is absent. tVoni the i>a!j>us in all the species. The 

 friction-scales of the cJ lie fiat upon the clasiier.*' The tendency of development 

 iu this section of the family is reduction of organs, leading to the disaj)2)earing of 

 the tongue, frenulum and retinaculum, pulvillus and paronychium, of the proximal 

 jiair of spurs of the hindtibiae, the friction-scales of the S, the meso- aud metatarsal 

 combs, and the abdominal spines, the most reduced forms representing the highest 

 stages of development. The bristles of the pilifer become rather often modified into 

 scales, or disappear almost entirely iu a few instances. 



* Except middle ones of Poliana huchholzi ; see p 39. 



