I07 



difera^^ but I doubt it. In any event, Crispata is not Operailaris, 

 which is much darker, mixed with brown and black crinkled hairs 

 on fore Avings. Lanuginosa may be = Pyxidfiera, but Clemens' 

 type was rubbed, and rubbed specimens look deceptive in this 

 genus. It is not certain that we have three species, but it is 

 certain that Crispata is not Operailaris. Again, my Cararna 

 Cretata from Louisiana, is probably an older name for C. 

 Walkeri, Butl. The British Museum specimens determined by 

 Walker as SparsJiallii were, to my belief, in part, at least; belong- 

 ing to my Cretata., I did not compare them but, on my return, 

 referred my species to Caravia, of which genus I was unaware 

 when I described my insect. Again, Sen, Berg is probably right 

 as to the derivation of Halisdota, but I wrote it as Hubner did, 

 and certainly, " Halesidota," a spelling I corrected, is wrong. 

 By the way, my genus is Eiipsendosonia not ^'Etispseudosoina,'' as 

 Sen. Berg has it several times. I am a little surprised that the 

 Cuban is the same as the South American species. The one 

 from Florida appears distinct, but may only be a local modifica- 

 tion. I am decidedly of opinion that species showing differences, 

 such as we know sometimes to be specific, as shown by well- 

 marked insects, should not be lost sight of by being united under 

 one species' name. It seems as if now creationists were practi- 

 cally trying to condense the idea of "species," after its being 

 shown that the idea of " species," as formerly entertained, as 

 exclusive, is overstepped in Nature, they get over the facts by 

 calling the so-called " species Dariviniana^^' " varieties," or " all 

 the same." Varieties are nascent species, undoubtedly, but 

 where the forms are not proved to intergrade in all stages, the 

 distinct names should be allowed to them. It is difificult to draw 

 the line where we only know the perfect stage ; it is better to let 

 the names stand in lists till we know all the history, and then we 

 can express the real dependence of the forms more exactly. A 

 certain class of varieties are readily recognized as such, but I am 

 speaking of cases like Psi and O^cidentalis in the moths, or even 

 Gentilis and Perbellis. From Sen. Berg's interesting pamphlet I 

 learn that the genus Metagarista occurs in South America. I in- 

 fer that this name is more correct than Phcegarista. I only know 

 the East Indian M. Transiens and our own M. sevorsa from Ari- 

 zona. It is a matter of congratulation that we have so conscien- 

 tious a Lepidopterist as Sen. Berg in South America. In the 

 matter of nomenclature, however, I would respectfully suggest 

 that I have never taken a name of Hubner's without great care, 

 and I would recommend Sen. Berg not to attempt to displace a 

 well-established generic title upon anything but the surest 

 grounds. 



With regard to the vexed question of Hubner's genera I have 

 endeavored to meet the views of those who adopt and those who 

 reject his genera to this extent: i. Where a Hubnerian genus 



