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Vol. III. SEPTEMBER, 181)3. Xo. 3. 



A PRELIMINARY REVISION OF THE BOMBYCES 

 OF AMERICA NORTH OF MEXICO. 



r>Y 13. Neumokgen and Harrison Ci. Dvar. 



In the present revision, we have in view, for the first object, 

 the correction of the synonymy of species. We have also given 

 synopses of the families, genera and species of the North Ameri- 

 can Bombyces, including all described from this region except 

 certain ones which we cannot determine from the published 

 descriptions, but which are listed at the end of this paper. Certain 

 other species which we have not been able to examine and of 

 which we have found no published account of structure, are given 

 at the end of their respective families. 



We have not altered the limits of the superfamily Bombyces 

 as it has generally been, understood ; but we do not attempt to 

 define this group. The^characteristics of the several families are 

 too diverse to allow of a comprehensive definition which would 

 exclude all of the other divisions of the moths. We have adopted 

 the families substantially as they stand in Prof. Smith's list ; but 

 the serial arrangement of both families and genera is arbitrary, 

 as we follow the order of the synoptic tables. Descriptions of 

 families, subfamilies and genera are omitted to save space ; but 

 the salient points of difference can be inferred from the synopses. 



Under the name Euchromiidae we include the Syntomidae and 

 Ctenuchidae of Prof. Smith's list. We find the character relied 

 upon to separate them to be inconstant. The Agaristid?e repre- 

 sent an approach to the Noctuidae in venation as well as in the 

 characters of egg and larva. The Pyromorphidse are unchanged, 

 except that we have transferred a series of species to Triprocris 

 w-'ch were wrongly described under Lycomorpha. Under the 



