1261 
As most of the remaining genera also contain many or at least 
some species, showing the lustrous spots to a greater or less extent, 
we come to the conclusion, that a hereditary tendency to the 
production of lustrous spots over the whole forewing-surface must be 
present in all Hepialids, but by other factors is either repressed 
(which leads to the diminution or total suppression of the silver- 
spots), or modified (blue or brown spots), or restricted to certain 
wing-areas. In other cases on the contrary, it is fully displayed, 
producing complete metallism. 
These restraining factors must differ in character as well as in 
intensity of influence, according to genera, species, varieties, local 
forms, sexes and individuals. Yet as they lead to similar chains of 
modifications in different genera, it is obvious that we may not 
found the system of the different features of our genera on the 
peculiarities of the links in this chain. 
In order to justify this conclusion, let us once more compare the 
species of one genus, and afterwards this genus as a whole with 
others, taking as our starting point a form with a wing-design of 
a primitive character. 
As such several species of the genus Charagia may be chosen, 
for the upperside of their forewings shows that regularity and 
simplicity of pattern, which L take to be an indication of primitivity. 
The wing-design is composed of alternating biconcave and biconvex 
markings, arranged in transverse rows, parallel to the external margin 
of the wing. In Ch. mirabilis Q the pattern is seen in its simplest 
and most complete form. Nowhere do the spots trespass on the 
course of the veins; in different wing-areas they agree with one 
another in shape as well as in size. It is only along the margins 
that inconsiderable deviations from these general rules occur, espe 
cially along the anterior wing-border. Moreover the discoidal cell 
shows slight variations of the hourglass-shapes and disturbances of 
the regular arrangement, which latter thereby only strengthens the 
impression of its primitivity, as the said wing-areas are those which 
have suffered the strongest modifications in their venous system. 
This impression is furthermore strengthened by the repetition of 
the same pattern ‘on the underside of the forewings and both surfaces 
of the hindwings, differing only by being less sharply traced, and 
coloured in lighter hues. As already remarked, this indistinctness 
without doubt may be ascribed to a tendency towards total dis- 
appearance. But besides, this pattern differs from that of the upper 
side of the forewings by its simplicity, all spots and blotches being 
alike in shade and hue, instead of the rows of darker and differently 
