( 3 ) 



claws simiile. — Frenulum and rctinacniliini prcsi^ut or absent ; an donjfate snbbiisal 

 jnitcli of glossy, modified, scales on forewing below behind SM-, on Liudwlug above 

 l)efore C. — Nenration ; forewing : no areole ; SC and SC--' before apex of cell, 

 SC- and SC^ on a long stalk, free part of Sf I- very weak and short, and mostly 

 absent (individnally varialilc) ; SC'^ ending close to apex of wing, sometimes 

 continued along edge and joining 8(J' at apex, .SC"' from SC^ at about one-third 

 the way from cell to apex, R' from upper angle of cell or shortly stalked with 

 Sl'^-' ; R- from below centre of apex of cell, but always well above angle ; M' 

 before angle of cell, M- in or near middle of coll ; SM' absent, SM' forming fork 

 at base with SM- ; njjper angle of cell more distal tlian lower angle. — Hindwing : 

 C and SC- separate, connected with one another by a conspicuous slanting bar 

 (= SC) in or near middle of c<'ll ; SC- or (seldom) R' ending at farthest point of 

 wing ; R' from upper angle of cell, often from SC- ; R- in or near centre of cell, 

 never from lower angle ; R' and M' separate, or (seldom) stalked ; SM' absent.— 

 Genital armature of c? : tenth segment simple or divided, the tergite as well as 

 the sternite, the latter often without process, the segment asymmetrical in several 

 instances. Clasjieis very varialde in size and shajie, often with a patch of friction- 

 scales dorsally on outer surface, the number of such scales sometimes reduced to 

 one, in many cases this organ ([uite alisent ; in some Amhulicinae a corresponding 

 organ on innerside of eighth tergite. Armature of ciasper very variable according 

 to species and genera, sometimes the two sides different. Penis-sheath and penis- 

 funnel also much diversified in the family. — Genital armature of ? : vaginal 

 aperture generally surrounded with ridges, processes, or folds, but often lacking 

 special armature, occasionally asymmetrical in position. 



]>ititribt(tion : all regions excei)t the antarctic zone, reaching northward to 

 La]ilaud, southward to New Zealand and Patagonia, most plentiful in the trojiics. 



The bulk of the sj)ecies of this family is easily recognised by their peculiar 

 and well-known habitus, but some might easily be passed over as Notodouts. An 

 examination of the antenna, abdomen, and neuration will show their true position. 



II. A. Siihiiujidao asemanophorae. 



First segment of palpus without patch of short sensory iiairs on the inner 

 surface near base. 



II. 15. Sphingidae semaiwpliorae. 



First segment of [lalpus witli a patch of short sensory hairs on tlie inner surface 

 near base. 



II. A. Sphingidae asemanophorae. 



The palcli of sensory hairs is ubseiiL from the palpus in all the species. The 

 friction-scales of the cJ lie flat upon the clas[ier.* The tendency of development 

 in this section of tlie family is reduction of organs, leading to the disappearing of 

 the tongue, frennlnm and retinaculum, ]inlvillus and paronychium, of the proximal 

 jiair of spurs of the hindtibiae, the friction-scales of the S, the meso- and metatarsal 

 combs, and the abdominal siiines, tlie most reduced forms representing the highest 

 gtages of di'velopment. The bristles of the pilifer become rather often modified into 

 Hcales, or disappear almost entirely in a few instances. 



' Kxoept miildle onrs of I'oUaiia biirlihohi ; see p :W. 



