128 Ml*. J. W. Dunning on 



of a Phryganea require to be more distinctly pointed out. 

 Westwood has dealt with these grounds seriatim (Proc. 

 Ent. Soc. 1862j p. 101) ; and, so far as I can discover, 

 these are the only reasons which Newman has published 

 for doubting that Acentropus is a moth. As suggesting 

 points for further examination and explanation, the four 

 propositions are harmless enough ; but to suppose that the 

 enunciation of them has " knocked down the hobby," or 

 that by the repetition of them, the hobby will be 

 *' knocked down again,^^ is surely a miscalculation of the 

 strength of the arguments. I understand the question 

 to be " Is Acentropus lepidopterous, or is it trichop- 

 terous ? " By the first proposition, the presence of wing- 

 scales is admitted; it can scarcely be contended that 

 their presence is an argument against the insect being 

 lepidopterous, and it can hardly be intended to suggest 

 that Acentrojjus is coleopterous ; but unless such a sug- 

 gestion is intended, the proposition is wide of the mark : 

 there is no question about beetles, and to answer the 

 inquiry " Lepidoptera or Trichoptera ? " by saying " It 

 is like Coleoptera" is no answer at all. Again, it 

 can hardly be intended to suggest that Acentropus is 

 hymenopterous ; but unless such a suggestion is intended, 

 the third proposition is only throwing dust in the eyes, 

 and diverting attention from the real question, " moth 

 or caddis-fly ? " But the second proposition is, perhaps, 

 the most curious of all : from the premises, (1) , Acentropus 

 has tippets, and (2) , some Lepidoptera have not tippets, 

 it can scarcely be argued, much less "logically deduced," 

 that Acentropus is not lepidopterous. 



Newman concludes (Zool. p. 8217) by indicating "the 

 proper mode of proceeding in such a case as this," and 

 finally asks for a "verdict solely on the evidence." I 

 have only had an opportunity of examining the imago ; 

 but, bearing in mind, that " its mouth, wing-rays, thorax 

 and legs should have especial care bestowed on them," 

 the result of my own examination has been to satisfy me 

 that it is a moth. The earlier stages confirm this view; 

 the eggs are not enclosed in a jelly-like substance, as is 

 usual with Tinchoptera; and the larva and pupa have 

 nothing of the trichopterous type about them. The mouth 

 and head of the larva of Acentropus are unlike any known 

 caddis- worm; whilst the mummy-like pupa is totally 

 difterent from the pupte of Trichoptera, with their free 

 legs and antennae, and their strong mandibles, with which 



