50 Mr. A. K. Grote on the Moths of New Mexico. 



element of Californian species, such as Botis mustelinalis and 

 several Geometridse. In Arizonian collections I have identi- 

 fied several species of Phasiane and Semiothisa described by 

 Dr. Packard from California. In the present collection from 

 New Mexico there are also eastern species, such as Hyper- 

 chiria Io 7 Hadena fractilinea 7 Mamestra detracta 7 Heliophda 

 commoides 7 Phibalapteryx intestinata 7 &c. We have next 

 species proper to New Mexico and Arizona, so far as we can 

 judge, such as Halesidota ingens and H. ambigua 7 also Helio- 

 phila bicolorata 7 Agrotis beata 7 A. grandipennis 7 and A. cir- 

 cumdata 7 with Marmopteryx sponsata 7 Aspilates viridirufaria I 



(one of the finest Geometridse known to me), and several other 

 species. Forms hitherto known to us from Texas, as Idtect, 

 peralbata 7 are also represented. But the species which offers 

 the greatest interest is a Noctuid, Copimamestra occidenta. 

 This species represents the European Copimamestra brassicce 

 tibial claw, hairy eyes, style of marking and all. Following 

 out the theory which I have strengthened in various papers* 

 we must regard such species as the remains of a former cir- 

 cumpolar tertiary fauna. The modifications which have taken 

 place in the two branches of the species, separated by the 

 ice-period and the forcing of the faunas southward, are suffi- 

 cient to enable us to recognize them today as distinct "species 

 under different names. * 



Before proceeding with the list of Prof. Snow's captures, 

 give a brief summary of the characters which I have used in 

 erecting genera in the Noctuid^e. I have worked at this 

 group, in the United- States fauna especially, during the last 

 twenty-five years, and have found occasion to propose some 

 ninety-five genera, chiefly in the main division of the family 

 as it is represented in temperate regions, the Noctuinse or 

 Nonfasciatse. As affording absolute generic characters, ad- 

 mitting of no rational dispute, I regard the structure of the 

 clypeus, the hairy or naked eyes, the peculiarities of the body- 

 vestiture, the venation, the armed or unarmed tibia?, and the 

 structure of the front tibiae. As comparative characters of less 

 value, but which still may be relied on in default of better, I 

 egardthe relative length of the labial palpi and tongue, the pre- 

 sence or absence of ocelli, the antenna! peculiarities, the relative 

 length of the abdomen, and the shape of the wings. Genera 

 established upon secondary sexual characters, such as Helio- 

 chilus 7 Gr., I am inclined to believe valid. Not only are 

 they sanctioned by older authorities, but by neglecting them 

 we lose sight of interesting facts, such as the occurrence ot 

 Heliochilus 7 for instance, in Asia as well as North America, 

 whence T at first described it. The gradual unfolding oi 



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