December 1898) ZHE NEURATION OF RHOPALOCERA 391 
the modification of neuration to be observed in the different groups, 
and I will briefly refer to some lines of specialization observed. 
Group 1.—Generalized Hesperids (Hesperia) retain five-branched 
radius in forewings, and three median nervules in very nearly the 
ancestral position ; but a modification of the transverse ‘cell’ nervure 
in the direction of the cubital system forms a three-branched cubitus 
in forewings (ancestral form is two-branched as in Cossids). Among 
a i 
Australian Cossid. 
specialized Hesperids (Pathesperia) one median nervule by incorpor- 
ation with the radial system forms a six-branched radius in forewings, 
the middle median nervule and the cell nervule in hindwings dis- 
appear, and there is a tendency in the middle median nervule in fore- 
wings to do likewise. (See Dr Grote’s figures; Nat. Sci., vol. xii., 
pls. i. and i1.). 
The neuration of Lycaenids is similar to that of 
Pierids, but not identical; in each group specialization 
by reduction in the number of radial nervules in fore- LA 
wings is observed, but there is this difference, viz., 
whereas among Lycaenids reduction occurs while the 
median nervules retain their position and identity as S 
such, the same specialization is observed among Pierids 
after the incorporation of one of the median nervules 
with the radial system. Whether it is possible to take eee 
into consideration the relative position of the median ner-  (Lycaenid). 
vules in the forewings of Lycaenids and associate them with Hesperids 
therefor, my personal observations are not sufficiently extensive to 
justify an opinion. Certainly the position of the median nervules is 
extremely alike in each group, and Dr Grote associates them, 
having observed also the tendency among Lycaenids to lose the middle 
median nervules in the same manner as do Hesperids. This, so far as 
