Groups of the Lepidoptera. 345 
places it in the Noctue already, and in the same position 
which Dr. Knaggs ‘‘recommends.” Stainton had placed 
it in the Geometre, following Hiibner, Stephens, and 
others who had also done so. Here is a change in which 
surely the list-writers might spare us a few sentences in 
a foot-note. 
But Dr. Knaggs also “advises” us to place the Ptero- 
phori among the Pyrales ; and if a change of this sort is 
to be brought about thus in a labelling list, it is a waste 
of time ever to write a book. 
In Dr. Knagegs’ List, a rule to be observed in the con- 
struction of synonymic Lists is laid down, and a reason 
for it is given. The rule (expressed * by the way, in 
eccentric English) is that where the two sexes of a species 
have been named simultaneously, the name given to the 
female should be preferred. J am not concerned now 
with the reason; it is a great thing to have some reason 
advanced. But as to the author’s confidence in his own 
rule, it is instructive to examine his treatment of a few 
well-known cases. 
Linneus “ named simultaneously ” the two sexes of the 
Meadow-brown Butterfly, terming the male Janira, and 
the female Jurtina ; and Haworth actually did term the 
Butterfly Jurtina alone, which according to Dr. Knaggs 
was the only right name. Dr. Staudinger also suggests 
that Jurtina may be the better name, because it is given 
before Janira, in order. Dr. Knages, however, writes 
the species down Janira, in defiance of his own regulation. 
There are several other instances. Sibylla is, it is now 
admitted, the male name for our White Admiral But- 
terfly, and Camilla the female, both names being given 
by Linnzeus; Camilla for a long time was the name in 
use in England, Haworth, Stephens, and Curtis (the two 
latter with emphasis) stating that Camilla is the name 
of our insect. Dr. Knaggs has Sibylla in his list. T'ro- 
chilium Cynipiformis appears to be in a similar case, 
the female name being Cistriformis, Rottemburg. And 
to take one other instance, exceedingly easy to be veri- 
* The following is Dr. Knaggs’ “‘ Note.’’—‘‘ Should the sezes of a species 
have been named simultaneously, that of the female is adopted, for the 
reason, that, while the ¢ is alone utterly incapable of perpetuating its 
species, the unimpregnated 2 9 of several insects have the power of 
reproducing their like, and may therefore be considered to be of the higher 
organism.” [I am responsible for all ttalics.] 
