[September 1884. _ BULLETIN BROOKLYN ENTOM. SOC. VOL. VIL 73 
median of some authors is usually from about the middle of the wing 
to near the hind ang’e. The others are usually close together from the 
end of the vein. From the end of the discal, to the end of the median 
vein, is usually a fine cross vein which closes the discal cell. Beneath 
the median vein from the base to the outer margin at or near the hind 
angle, is the internal vein or veins: No. 1 of the system. This may be 
simple and single throughout its course, or it may be furcate toward the 
base. Sometimes a complete cell is formed, but more usually there is 
only a recurved spur near base. ‘This furcation is given great value by 
Herrich-Schaffer and is relied upon by him to isolate the Woctusdae. 
The range of variation in venation of primaries, is comparatively 
limited: rarely there are two internal (dorsal) veins counted as 1, and 1a; 
usually there is one, and in the Seszdae there is none; often an acces- 
sory cell is present; in the Woctuzdéae usually, in the Goméycidae rarely. 
Veins 6 to 10 are the most variable, but their variations have sometimes 
not even a specific value, and are never a family characteristic. Rarely 
the median cell is distinctly divided by a complete vein, but in most 
forms of Heferocera a distinct fold or rudimentary vein is traceable. The 
position of v. 5, is of great importance in classification. Usually, and in 
the Noctuidae always, it is close to v. 4, but occasionally it is nearer to 
v. § than 4, and this is the usual structure in the Geometridae. 
Occasionally the primaries have but 11 veins, but the families in 
which this obtains are so few and either not represented in our fauna at 
all, or are so peculiar in other respects, that there is scarcely a need to 
refer to venation at all. : 
In the secondaries the range of variation is greater. In the aberrant 
Hepialidae they are similar in venation to the primaries and are 12 vein- 
ed. In almost all other families, 8 is the normal number save that there 
_may be two or three internal veins classed as Nos. 1a, 1b and 1c respec- 
tively. The costa] thickening is always wanting: the costal vein is usualiy 
present. Sometimes the subcostal forms the margin of the wing itself. 
It is to be noted that the terms costal and subcostal veins have been con- 
fused, and this must be borne in mind when using the table of families 
and comparing descriptions of venation in other works. Rarely in 
both wings there is a cross vein between the subcostal and costal vein, 
and this is given considerable weight: occasionally the subcostal and 
costal veins unite near base for a short distance then separate again and 
form thus a narrow basal cell, ‘This character also has been given fa- 
