1 84 



Compared with our later-day classifications Phalanx I equals our 

 Rhopalocera. Phalanx II equals the Sphinges oiSXsMdSxx^&r, including 

 Sesia and Zygcena with their near allies. Phalanx III nearly equals 

 the mass classed as Bombycidce, including however, a few now referred 

 to the NoctuidcF. IV contains the larger part of what are now classed 

 as Noctuid(£ with an occasional Bombycid intermixed. V very nearly 

 equals the Geornetridie of to-day. VI includes the Deltoids, many of 

 the lower Nochiidce, and the true PyralidcE. This phalanx was to Hiib- 

 ner what the MoIIusccc were to Linne; evervthing not otherwise refer- 

 able found a place here; and this is the most mixed of all the phalanges. 

 Not that he deserves blame for considering the Deltoids as Pyra/ides, 

 for Guenee does the same thing, and some authors, among them Dr. 

 Packard, still join them. VII nearly equals the present idea of the 

 Tortricidcc, while phalanx VIII, despite its peculiar definition, still 

 nearly corresponds to our Tineidce or TineincB, as some prefer. Phalanx 

 IX includes our Petrophoridce and Alucitce. 



It will be seen from the table that Hiibner used only the most super- 

 ficial characters to define his principal divisions, being in that respect 

 no better, and certainly no worse than his predecessors, and indeed to 

 this point there is little original except the term for the divisions. 



Each phalanx is divided into Tribes, which nearly equals the term 

 sub-family as used to-day. The tribes are divided into Stirpes; these 

 are divided into Familia; which are finally divided into Coiti. Each 

 division is defined, the definition of the most superficial description, of 

 course. 



Some excerpts from the classification of phalanx IV may serve as an 

 illustration. 



This phalanx is divided into three tribes as follows: 



Body, head, abdomen and legs coarsely clothed, wings gray, primaries with 

 scarcely distinct orbicular, reniform and wavy transverse lines. 



I. BOMBYCOIDES. 



Collar and pategije evident; primaries very variously colored and marked, sec- 

 ondaries uniform, generally pale ...... 2. Genuine. 



Palpi ascending and pointed; bovh wings ample, very variously colored and 

 marked 3. .Semigeometr^. 



Despite the curious definitions the essential meaning or intent is 

 sound, for the Noctuids divide into just such groups — Deltoids of 

 course excluded. 



The Bombycoides embrace but a very small number of species and 

 are divided into three stirpes. 



l^alpi short, black marked; primaries rather narrow, pale in color, with grayish 

 transverse shades and lines; secondaries almost without maculation. 



I. Apatel.'E. 

 1 U-ad, tliorax, wings and legs distinctly marked, and liaudsomely variegated. 



2. DiPHTHER.'E. 



