340 Mr. W. Arnold Lewis on 
that group “ Aventiv,’ and its neighbour Deltoides, 
were not both constituted primary groups, in order to 
keep the two essential ones Drepanule and Pseudo-Bom- 
byces in countenance. 
The new order shirks the affinity between Geometra 
and the Deltoides, and Geometra and Pyralis, of which M. 
Guenée spoke so strongly (in his Généralités, vol. 9) ; 
as well, of course, as shirking the necessity for re- 
arrangement of the Noctue ; for, at present, the order 
of that group leads one (according to M. Guenée’s own 
expressions) to expect more Geometre to come at the end! 
The union of Sphinw and Bombyx in one group I will 
not discuss. I say with all humility, that the proposition 
is, in my view, the result of an extreme disregard for 
the opinion of entomologists, no one of whom has been 
found to say a good word for the arrangement. ‘The 
* sroup” Nocturni is properly stigmatised by Mr. New- 
man as “heterogeneous, and far too comprehensive” 
(Brit. Moths, pref. vi.). 
It stands to reason, that the arrangement of families, 
made with a view to their proximity to certain other 
families, must require alteration when these last are no 
longer in proximity, and their place is taken by species 
totally different. But the feat to be accomplished by the 
apostles of the new arrangement was this, that though 
this reform was to be made, and the relations of the 
neighbouring families altered, yet no change was to be 
made in their order of arrangement. It was done, and 
the result is the group Pseudo-Bombyces—a creation in 
which, from its wonderful audacity, men are almost fain 
to see some merit. 
Observe one way in which (if it was necessary to strain 
a point) the affinity of Geometra and Bombyx might be 
exemplified. At the end of Bombyx, place Platypteryz ; 
then begin Geometra, taking the group as at present 
arranged, backwards; end Geometra with Metrocampa ; 
then begin Noctua with Hrastria and Plusia, etc.; there 
you have Geometra next to Bombyx,—the affinity victori- 
ous, and no outrage on common sense, such as an eruption 
of Bombyces, eight hundred species out place. Or again, 
place Geometra before Bombyx, end Geometra with Amphi- 
dasys, &c. (termed ‘‘ Bombyciformes ” by Hiibner); then 
take the Bombyces, and go on from them to the Noctue ; 
either by the Bombycoide, or by Gonoptera as Latreille 
suggested. 
