B.C. Ei\TOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



Mr. Tutt concludes : " That the details of such an arrangement as 

 this will be modified by further observation is highly probable, but that 

 this will form a sound basis for future work we feel convinced. We 

 shall find, for example, in future schemes, no derivation of generalized 

 from specialized superfamilies, nor a flat-egged family from an upright- 

 egged one, the former giving rise again to another upright-egged family, 

 as repeatedly occurs in the work of Packard, Dyar, and Meyrick." 



This is a general outline of the principle on which classification is 

 based. Our attention has been confined to probable descent and the 

 relationship of families. When we come to consider the genera and 

 the respective members thereof, there are several special features and 

 structures which have been found to be constant ; that is, not varying 

 in different individuals of the same species. Amongst them I may 

 mention the palpi, the eyes, whether hairy or smooth, the venation, 

 the spines on the tibize {vide Mr. Wolley-Dod). Mr. Pearsall states 

 that in the Geometridse he has found the following characters reliable: 

 Antennae, frontal tubercles and tufts, the tongue, the claws on fore tibiae, 

 the tibial spurs and the hair-pencil on hind tibiae of male, besides other 

 characters. There is also another structure which lately has been found 

 of great importance, and this is the genitalia of male insects. Professor 

 Smith and Doctors Barnes and McDunnough have drawn attention to 

 this feature as a means of determining closely allied species. And Mr. 

 F. N. Pierce, of Liverpool, has recently published two volumes giving 

 illustrations of the genitalia of all the British Macrolepidoptera. I have 

 brought this work with me to-day so that you will be able to see 

 how infinitely diversified the structures are. I have also brought two 

 microscope-slides with preparations of the organs of two specimens for 

 your inspection. 



I fear I have occupied too much of your time ; I did not intend to 

 be so long when I began to prepare my address, but the subjects of 

 nomenclature and classification are so important and controversial that 

 even now I have only treated them in a cursory manner. I can only 

 hope that in what I have brought before you I have been able to convey 

 some acceptable information. 



Mr. President : The next paper is on " The Salal-moth. Lithocolletis 

 gaultheriella," by R. N. Chrystal. (Read by Mr. Sherman.) 



