NORTH AMERICAN LEPIDOPTERA. 85 



From my study of the family it appears to me that there are at 

 least two very distinct series leading either from or to the Bom- 

 bycidcE. The one seems to show an affinity to the Ptilodonts through 

 Ellmm and allias, and forms a very complete chain to the immense 

 forms of typical Sph'uix. This is a rather distinctive series with ap- 

 parently few aberratic forms, but some branehas toward the Chcero- 

 campince. The other seems to find closer allies in the iSahirniidm 

 through Cressonia to the most typical Smerinthinm. The affinities of 

 this group are strongly with the Chwr'oeamjyincc, to which a tolerably 

 complete chain, with Deidamia in a prominent place, can be con- 

 structed, though not from our fauna. Even to the Macroglossidce 

 forms like Arctonotus show distinct relationships, while the Chcero- 

 campbw and MacroglomiKe are so closely related that it would not 

 be at all difficult to complete the chain from a general study of the 

 entire fauna. 



In our fiiuna we may expect to discover little more in the way of 

 new species. The high western plateaus and the mountain ranges 

 there, may give us a few more inconspicuous species probably be- 

 longing to the genus Sphbix, or belonging at least to the subfamily. 

 Yet how long a species may escape observation is illustrated by 

 Sphinx cnpressi, which was figured by Abbot many years ago, and 

 has only been taken again in 1887. 



There are few families, too, in which the larval history is so gen- 

 erally known. The larvse are large, easily discovered, and, as a rule, 

 not difficult to raise. Of the few of which we have no descriptions 

 quite a fair j)ro})orti()n have been bred, but no history published. 



In Prof. Riley's unpul)lished notes is a vast deal of information 

 on the early stages of many of our species. This it has proved im- 

 possible to incorporate here at ])resent, and will be the subject of a 

 jnemoir by the professor at an early date. 



In tabular form the S])hingidie divide as follows : 



Aiitennpp distinctly clubhed at tip Ma«;rogflossiii8P. 



Antenna' not distinctly club])ed, usually fusiform. 

 Tougue long and strong. 



Primaries with outer margin sinuate or angulate C'lioerocailipina?. 



Primaries with outer margin even Kphiilgidfe jJ. 



Tongue weak and short. 



Primaries with outer margin even 5<i|>liiii$i;iiiiP ^i^. 



Primaries angulated and dentated SiiioriiitliiiiiC 



