96 Bulletin of the Brooklyn Entomological Society Vol. XI 



long by nature if it contains a long vowel or a diphthong. Anatis, 

 Formica, Hyloccetus, Panag^us. 



A syllable is short in quantity if its vowel, not naturally long, 

 is followed by another vowel. Alaus, Ddnaus, Ldsius, Leria. 



A syllable is common, i. e., it may be considered either long or 

 short, if its vowel, originally short, is followed by a mute and a 

 liquid. Such syllables by preference should be shortened, but in 

 Latin composition especially in poetry they show a tendency 

 toward lengthening. Though comparatively few in number, it 

 is this class of words that gives most perplexity to the entomolo- 

 gist, for until the original quantity of the vowel is known the pro- 

 nunciation is doubtful. Phdlacrus, Olibrus, Connophron, Rd- 

 natra, Omophron, Ephydra, Hydrometra, Anahrus, Atropos, Hdli- 

 plus, Geometra, Nicocles, Triprocris, Cuterehra, all have a short 

 vowel in the penult and the accent is thrown forward. Cehrio, 

 Crdhro, Epdchra, Gymnetron and Tenebrio are given a long 

 vowel before the mute and liquid, while Arthromacra may 

 lengthen the penult for easier pronunciation. 



Vowels. In most cases vowels are given their customary long 

 or short English sounds without regard to the niceties of intona- 

 tion required in spoken English. However certain letters and 

 certain positions exercise a modifying effect, as for instance the 

 influence of the letter r on the preceding vowel in Arthrdpeas, 

 Elater, Platygdster, Morpho, Phdra. 



Vowels, irrespective of the length of the syllable, usually have 

 their long English sounds before another vowel or diphthong. 

 Empodsca, Edis, Epeolus, Herlades, Heplalus. When occurring 

 in an unaccented or short syllable i and y are given the short 

 sound even when preceding another vowel. Bihio, Bembidmm, 

 Chdlia, Drasterius, Meldndrya. Final a and usually unaccented 

 a are broadened to sound like the final a in Africa. Nomadd, 

 Aedes. 



Diphthongs in quantity are always long, thus when occurring 

 in the penult carry the accent. Passalcecus, Cori'mel&na, Zar^a. 

 In quality, se and oe are pronounced like e. ^geria, Mschna, 

 CEcdnthus, CEdicnema, Polystdechotes. 



Vowels usually have their short English sounds before two con- 

 sonants, excepting sometimes a mute and a liquid, and in ac- 



