JOURNAL 



Jlf\a JBopk Qntoraologirfll %nM^. 



Vol. 1. 8EPTEM15E11, 181)3. Xo. 3. 



A PRELIMINARY REVISION OF THE BOMBYCES 

 OF AMERICA NORTH OF MEXICO. 



\>\ 15. Nb:U.MOKGEN AM) Ha|<R1m)\ (,. \)\.\\<. 



Ill llic present revision, we have in view, for the first object, 

 the correction of the synonymy of species. We have also given 

 synopses of the faniiUes, genera and species of tiie North Ameri- 

 can Hoinbyces, including all described from this region 'except 

 certain ones which we cannot determine from the published 

 descriptions, but which are listed at the end of this paper. Certain 

 other species which we have not been able to examine and of 

 which we have found no ind)lished account of struiture, are given 

 at tlie end of their respective families. 



\\ t have not altered the limits of the sujierfamily liombyces 

 as it has generally been unilerstood ; but we do not attempt to 

 (.lefine this group. The charai'teristics of the several families are 

 too diverse to allow of a comprehensive definition which would 

 exclude all of the other divisions of tlie moths. We have adoj^ted 

 the families sul)stantially as they stand in Prof. Smith's list ; but 

 the serial arrangement of both families and genera is arbitrary, 

 as we follow the order of the synoptic tables. Descriptions of 

 families, subfamilies anil genera are omitted to save space ; but 

 the salient points of difference can be inferred from the synopses. 



Under the name Euchromiidae we include the Syntomidae and 

 Ctenuchidte of Prof. Smith's list. We find the character relied 

 upon to separate them to be inconstant. The .Agaristidae repre- 

 sent an approach to the Xoctuidce in venation as well as in the 

 characters of egg and larva. The Pyromorphidre are unchanged, 

 except that we have transferred a series of species to Triprocris 

 which were wrongly described under Lvioniorp/ia. I'nder the 



