classification of the Pterojiiioridce. 3 



given above, as with those shared by all the Pymlidina, 

 since ScJireckensteinia does -not belong to that group at 

 all, but to the Tineina, with which it is usually correctly 

 placed, ranking under the Elachiatiche next StatJivwpodi. 

 A comparison of the neuration will be sufficient. In the 

 Pyralidina veins 8 and 9 of the fore wings (vein 8 being 

 always the supra-apical vein) are always stalked ; vein 8 

 of the hind wings is partially closely approximated to 7 

 (often anastomosing). In ScJireckensteinia veins 8 and 

 9 of the fore wings are separate ; vein 8 of the hind 

 wings is widely remote from 7 throughout. These 

 differences are conclusive ; the first alone would be 

 amply sufficient. The abdominal uncus seems to be 

 absent (at least I found no trace of it in one specimen 

 dissected), and the wings are not fissured. The hairiness 

 of the larva, which seems to have been the only reason 

 alleged for the transference of ScJireckensteinia to the 

 PteropJioridcs, is a character of the most triHing im- 

 portance in classification ; it recurs in almost every 

 principal group, and, as usual with dermal appendages, 

 depends mainly on external circumstances of life. Com- 

 pare the water-breathing gill-apparatus of the larvae of 

 certain Ilydrocanqndce, a much more remarkable struc- 

 ture, yet insufficient even to delimit genera. 



I proceed now to state the main characters of the 

 Pyralidina, with the object of showing that the Ptero- 

 pJioridce are justly included in that group ; these are as 

 follows ; — 



Fore wings with normally 12 veins, 1 a and 1 b present, 1 b almost 

 always simple at base, 5 belonging to system of lower median, 

 6 from middle of transverse vein, independent, 7 belonging to 

 system of upper median, 8 supra-apical, 8 and 9 stalked, 12 free. 

 Hind wings witli normally 8 veins, la, lb, and 1 c present, 5 be- 

 longing to system of lower median, G belonging to system of upper 

 median, 8 in part closely approximated to 7, usually anastomosing 

 with it beyond cell, posteriorly divergent. 



With the above ty[)e the Ptero}ihorid(B agree absolutely 

 in every particular, and this combination of characters 

 is not found in any other group, except the Pyralidina. 

 But, in order to distinguish this type of neuration in the 

 PterojyJioridte, it is necessary to examine the older and 

 more ancestral genera, in which the fission of the wings 

 has not proceeded far ; in the more advanced forms is 



