﻿180 EIGHTH ANNUAL REPORT 



is so with all genera erected by the mere coining of a name without recognizable defi- 

 nition; and while a Hiibner, in making a number of divisions on superficial grounds^ 

 may accidentally hit upon relationships which subsequent research proves cor- 

 rect, he certainly does not greatly benefit science by his work. Again, we may 

 learn the necessity for the adoption by entomologists of some rules for guidance m 

 matters that do not come within the scope of present accepted rules. Can names con- 

 nected solely with published figures be accepted? Shall we write Fucece Boisduval or 

 Yuccce Walker? Such questions become the more important when two diflferent names 

 are employed. A figure, however good, cannot be considered a definition ; and, whilst 

 most entomologists would consider ttiat the species in question had not virtually beeiv 

 named until described by Walker, others take a different view, and perhaps with rea- 

 son, since a good figure, so far as recognition of the thing intended is concerned, is 

 infinitely more definite than the majority of the earlier descriptions of species in ento- 

 mology. 



In conclusion, 1 take pleasure in expressing my obligations to Mr. W. F. Kirby, of 



Dublin, Mr. John A. Ryder, of Philadelphia, and Mr. Herman Strecker, of Reading, Pa.^ 

 for kind assistance in my studies of this insect; and more particularly to my esteemed 

 correspondent Dr. J. H. Mellichamp, of Bluffcon, S. C, for his efforts in furnishing 

 material, and to my friend Mr. S. H. Scudder of Cambridge, Mass., for valuable aid^ 

 always freely given. 



Since the above article was written I have been able to mak& 

 some further observations on the manner of pupation, on the flight of 

 the butterfly and on the early larval habit. 



The exposed portion of the blackened, chimney-like funnel, made 

 by the larva, has a length of from four to six inches; but the funnel 

 virtually extends from one to three inches below the still green and 

 growing leaves before it reaches the more solid portion of the trunk 

 where the true burrow may be said to commence. Throughout this 

 entire length the funnel is elastic with a tendency to contraction. It 

 is within the hidden base of this elastic funnel, or just above the bur- 

 row proper, that the pupa state is generally, if not always, assumed, 

 A more careful study of Yucca tops in which the pupa was naturally 

 formed — i. e. in plants not cut till after pupation — shows me, also, that 

 the partial closing of the burrow near head and tail is due solely to 

 the elasticity of the funnel. No additional silk is used, and nothing 

 that can well be called a cocoon is constructed. Just above the natu- 

 ral contraction that occurs at the junction of the more elastic with 

 the more firm and solid portion of the burrow, the pupa rests— the 

 cast-ofl" larval skin generally helping to close up the lower pas- 

 sage. Here the pupa has perfect freedom of motion, and readily 

 twirls the lower part of the body when disturbed. The natural 

 recurvature of the abdomen, as shown in the flgure, presses the 

 bristled, dorsal and terminal portion of the body on the one side, and 

 the ventral, middle portion on the other, against its elastic confines, 

 and holds it securely. A few muscular movements, aided by the 

 leverage and hold which the aforementioned bristles insure, bring the 



