of the PyraUdina of the European fauna. 435 



curious structure appears to be characteristic of the 

 PyraUdina; at least I have never observed it in any- 

 other group, but have perhaps not searched sufficiently. 

 Vein 1 ^ is often shortly or obsoletely furcate at base in 

 some families, especially the Pyralididce ; this was 

 certainly an aboriginal character of the whole group, 

 but has now disappeared very generally ; in those 

 genera where it is found it appears to be quite un- 

 reliable as a character for definition, being frequently 

 present in some species, and not in others ; I have 

 therefore not employed it as a generic character for 

 separation. Vein Ic is obsolete. In the hind wings 

 veins 1 </, Ih, It; are all present; but in some of the 

 genera with fissured wings, where the neuration becomes 

 extremely degraded, one or more of these veins tend to 

 disappear. In neither fore wings nor hind wings are 

 there any additional bars or veins, such as sometimes 

 exist as a survival in some ancestral forms [e.g., the 

 Hepialidce) . The relative breadth of the hind wings is 

 given in terms of the greatest breadth of the fore wings; 

 thus hind wings over 1 means that the hind wings are 

 broader than the fore wings. 



It will be seen that I have sunk the Eiyipaschiada in 

 the Pyralidida, and the Ilydrocampidce and Scopariadce 

 in the Pyranstidce, having found that on an extended 

 comparison no distinctive character could in these cases 

 be relied on as constant. 



The generic classification of the Phycitidce and Gal- 

 leriada is not given here ; M. Eagonot has been for 

 many years at work on these families, and it would seem 

 wise to wait for the publication of his results, of which 

 a part is promised this year. Should I find that his 

 views do not satisfy me, it will then be time enough to 

 publish my own. 



I desire to record my gratitude to those entomologists 

 who have kindly assisted me with specimens or other- 

 wise ; particularly to Prof. Fernald, who has been good 

 enough to furnish me with his valuable opinion on many 

 troublesome points, and to Mr. Geo. Baker, who enabled 

 me to have the advantage of inspecting his extensive 

 collection of Cramhidce, and Dr. Jordan's equally full 

 collection of Pterophoridce. 



