Lepidopterological Contributions. 353 



The manner in which the Phalaenid genus Heliomata, G. <& 

 R., with a similar geographical distribution, mimics the orna- 

 mentation of Nymphidia, is worthy of notice. 



Family Sphingidae. 



When studying the position of the European Sphinx convol- 

 vuli, Linn., and Sphinx ligustri, Linn., with regard to the 

 American species of Macrosila and Sphinx, we are led to con- 

 sider the former species as belonging to the genus Macrosila, 

 Boisd. (emend. Grote). Indeed Macrosila con vol vuli exhibits 

 the main structural features shared by our American species of 

 Macrosila, a genus of which M. rnstica may be considered typi- 

 cal, and which contains a number of species of similar habitus 

 and robust development. Dr. Clemens has shown that, in 

 their maxillary development, M. Carolina, M. 5-maculata, and 

 M. cingulata, agree with M. rnstica. Following the arrange- 

 ment of the species in our recently published " Synonymical 

 Catalogue," M. convolvuli falls in very naturally after our 

 North American M. cingulata, a species which has been oc- 

 casionally mistaken by earlier authors as identical with its 

 European congener. While we thus consider the European 

 M. convolvuli, the lowest and most degradational specific form 

 of Macrosila, we concede, on the other hand, that the European 

 Sphinx convolvuli, Linn., is the highest or t}*pical form of 

 Linnasus' genus Sphinx, as now received. Thus the course of 

 Hubner, in separating the two European species generically, is 

 justified, and Lethia, Hvhner, becomes synonymous with 

 Sphinx, Linn. While borrowing a brighter tint from a higher 

 genus, S. ligustri is structurally identical with the North Ame- 

 rican S. chersis {Lethia chersis, Hub., Sphinx cinerea, Harris), 

 S. drupiferarum, S. kalmiae, etc. 



In this view a somewhat different arrangement of certain 

 genera belonging to the tribe Sphingini suggests itself. We 

 would inaugurate this tribe with Ceratomia, Harris, a genus 

 which, in its reduced thoracic and cephalic parts and its soft 



