NOTE ON GENERIC CHARACTERS IN THE Noctuips. (108 
of the fore tibia are closely associated. The last of the head 
structures that are of value in generic separation are the antenne. 
Of these, excluding the sexual peculiarites developed in the 
Deltoids, we have simple, serrate, and pectinate types. If I may 
be permitted an argument which has been urged against my use 
of characters variable in other orders, I may cite Prionus among 
the Longicorn Coleoptera as an instance where all three of these 
types occur in the same genus, and where there is even a large 
variation in the number of joints within the limits of the same 
species. I use this argument, however, merely to show that 
antennal modifications stand in no better position than any others 
that have been spoken of. Antennal structure is, in my opinion, 
of very subordinate importance, and, while it may have generic 
importance in some cases, is yet, as a rule, of specific value 
merely. The use of the character would often separate insects 
that are habitally and structurally otherwise very closely allied ; 
how closely, indeed, Mr. Butler himself furnished a pretty illus- 
tration. Under Pachnobia carnea the British Museum collection 
contained specimens of three distinct yet closely allied species, in 
one of which the male antennz are simple, in the other serrate, 
and in the third obviously pectinated! Yet they looked so much 
alike that Mr. Butler unhesitatingly placed them together. We 
have in our fauna three species closely allied to Cleoceris vimi- 
nialis, looking so much alike that I hesitated at first about 
considering them distinct. Further material, containing both 
sexes of each, showed that these three species, in the males, had 
simple, serrated and pectinated antenne respectively. To have 
separated them generically would have destroyed the natural 
association or relationship of the species. In our American 
species of Teniocampa all forms, from the simple to the pecti- 
nated types, are represented, and so gradual is the change from 
one to the other that it is almost impossible to draw a dividing 
line. It would be easy to multiply instances, was there anything 
to be gained by it; but I will add only that my studies have led 
me to the conclusion that in the Noctuide, antennal characters 
are of very subordinate value, and rarely of more than specific 
importance. 
Passing to the thoracic structures, we find valuable characters 
in the appendages. The legs, as a whole, are much of one type. 
There are always two spurs to the middle and four to the hind 
tibia, while the fore tibia is always furnished with an epiphysis. 
Excluding the sexual modifications, the legs are frequently clothed 
in a characteristic manner, the peculiarity running through a 
series of allied species. This is of generic value. Beside the 
usual clothing of hair and scales, there may be an armature of 
chitinous spinules to the tibia. These may be on the middle 
tibia only, on the middle and hind tibia, or all may be so armed. 
This is a constant character, and of generic importance. I would 
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