862 MODERN CLASSIFICATION OF INSECTS. 
find the first isolated ; the second, in its fenestrated wings, approaches 
some of the Sphingide, but its metamorphoses are totally different, 
resembling those of Cossus ; whilst Anthrocera, on the other hand, is, 
in its preparatory states, a Bombyx, and in its final one probably inter- 
mediate between Macroglossa and Pyralis; AZgeria, nevertheless, is not 
farther removed from Sphinx than is Castnia or Urania, nor than Hepia- 
lus or Lithosia are from Attacus, in the tribe of Bombycide. Geometra, 
Tortrix, Noctua, &c., in their extended state, are groups admirably de- 
fined, and yet it is impossible to look at Euclidia, Acosmetia, Nola, or 
Platypteryx, without perceiving, either that we must extend the limits 
of our families, so as to admit these anomalous groups, or else must 
create a far greater number of families than has hitherto been done. 
The works of foreign authors, who have elsewhere so materially 
tended to forward our acquaintance with the insect tribes here (that 
is, more especially amongst the smaller European, as well as the Exo- 
tic tribes), give us but little assistance. On reviewing the sketch 
given in a previous page (p. 325.) of Mr. Stephens’s arrangement of 
these groups, we find them to correspond nearly with the Linnean 
grouping *, but I cannot understand wherefore Lithosia is introduced 
into the same group with Noctua, whilst its legitimate station seems 
to be intermediate between the aberrant Bombycide and the Ypono- 
meutidz ; neither can I understand why Pyralis is united with Geo- 
metre, agreeing neither in habit nor transformations. Platypteryx, 
on the other hand, agrees with Geometra in the habit of the imago, but 
in its transformations it is much nearer to Cerura amongst the Bomby- 
cide. As to the Vespertina, comprising all the minute moths, they 
may be said to be still in a state of chaos, as any one may be con- 
vinced by comparing the works of Haworth, Curtis, and Stephens, 
* Mr. Stephens’s arrangement of these tribes is exhibited by him in the following 
sketch, published in the Introduction to his Systematic Catalogue, with a view to 
prove the circular distribution of the order : — 


iE geriide ; Sesiide. Papilionide : Nymphalide. 
10 Sphingide : Hesperiidae. : 
Zygenide. Lycenide. 
Notodontide : Hepialide. Geometride: Platyptericide. 
JOM Ve 
Bombyceide: Arctiidae. Pyralide. 

Lithosiide : Tineide. 
Noctuide IV. Wal Tortricide. 
Pterophoride. Yponomeutide. 
