292 INSECTA. 



out digitatiflns. All those that in tlieir caterpillar state live almost 

 exposed, or in fixed domicils, several of which have at least sixteen 

 feet, and which, in their perfect state, have their superior palpi very- 

 small, or entirely concealed, the wings more or less triangular, hori- 

 zontal or tectiform, and not folding round the body, will compose the 

 first eight. The last of these latter, or the eighth, is the only one in 

 which the caterpillars have fourteen feet, two of them anal. If the 

 same number be found in some others, then the two last are wanting, 

 ^ The two divisions, Attacus and Bombyx of the genus Phalaena of 

 Linnseus correspond to the four first sections. The proboscis is most 

 frequently rudimental, or very small, and its two threads are not 

 united. The inferior palpi, those of a small number excepted, are 

 small and almost cylindrical. The antennae, at least in the males, 

 are pectinated or serrated. The wings are horizontal or tectiform, 

 and in several the inferior ones project beyond the others when at 

 rest, and sometimes are also destitute of that bristle or bridle which 

 connects tliem with the latter. The thorax is always smooth, as well 

 as the abdomen, and woolly. The latter is usually very voluminous 

 in the females. The cocoon of the chrysalis is usually well felted and 

 solid. 



Although the nocturna of the fourth section are closely allied to 

 those of the preceding ones, we find a character in their caterpillars 

 perfectly unique in this order : the anal feet are wanting, while all 

 those of the three preceding sections have sixteen. 



The type of the first section, that of the Hepialites, is the genus 

 Hepialus, (Hepiolus of some authors) of Fabricius, and the Cossus of 

 the same. The caterpillars are rare, and remain concealed in the 

 heart of the plants on which they feed ; their cocoon is mostly formed 

 of particles of the matter that nourishes them. The margin of the 

 abdominal annuli of the chrysalis is dentated or spinous. The antennae 

 of the perfect insect are always short, and most frequently present 

 but one sort of small, short, rounded, and crowded teeth. Those of 

 the four others are always terminated by a simple thread ; but they 

 are furnished inferiorly in the males with a double line of setae. 

 The proboscis is always very short, and but slightly apparent. The 

 wings are tectiform and usually elongated. The last abdominal an- 

 nuli of the females form an elongated oviduct, or sort of tail. The 

 caterpillars of these Insects are very injurious to several kinds of trees 

 and other useful vegetable productions. 



Sometimes the antennae, almost similarly formed in both sexes, 

 have but very short teeth, arranged in one or two lines. 



Hepialus, Fab., 



Distinguished by their almost granular antennae, which are much 

 shorter than the thorax. The inferior wings are usually destitute of 

 a bridle. 



The caterpillars live in the ground, and feed on the roots of plants. 

 H. humuli, Fab.; Harr., Exp., of Eng. Ins., IV, a — d. The 

 superior wings of the males are silver-white and immaculate ; 

 those of the female yellow with red spots, 



