474 INSECTA. 



to their proboscis, palpi, and antennx, these Insects are but slightly re- 

 moved from the preceding- ones, 



5. The NocTuajLiTEs, Lat., are similar to the preceding Insects in the 

 figure and relative size of the wings, and in their position when at rest, but 

 present the two following distinguishing characters: a horny, and most 

 commonly long, spirally rolled proboscis; inferior palpi abruptly terminated 

 by a very small or much more slender joint than the preceding one; the 

 latter much wider, and strongly compressed. 



The body of the Noctuselites is more covered with scales than with a 

 woolly down. Their antennae are usually simple. The back of the thorax 

 is frequently tufted, and the abdomen forms an elongated cone; they fly 

 with great rapidity. Some of them appear during the day. 



Their caterpillars usually have sixteen feet; the others have two or four 

 less, but the two posterior, or anals, are never absent, and in those which 

 present but twelve, the anterior pair of the membranous ones are as large 

 as the next. Most of these caterpillars enclose themselves in a cocoon to 

 complete their metamorphosis. 



Here we have Erebus and Nodua. 



6. The Phai;enje Tortrices, L., are closely allied to the two preceding 

 sections. The superior wings, of which the exterior margin is arcuated at 

 base and then narrowed, their short and wide figure forming a truncated 

 oval, give a very peculiar appearance to these Insects. They have a dis- 

 tinct proboscis, and their inferior palpi are usually almost similar to those 

 of the Noctuse, but somewhat salient. 



They are small and prettily coloured; their wings are tectiform, but flat- 

 tened almost horizontally, and always laid on the body. In this case the 

 upper ones are slightly crossed along the inner mai'gin. 



Their caterpillars have sixteen feet, and their body is closely shorn or 

 but slightly pilose. They twist and roll up leaves of trees, connecting 

 various points of their surface at different times by layers of silken threads 

 running in one direction, and thus form a tube in which they reside, and 

 feed in tranquillity on their parenchyma. Others form a nest by connecting 

 several leaves or flowers with silk. Some of them inhabit fruits. 



The posterior extremity of the body is narrow in several. Their cocoon 

 has the figure of a bateau, and is sometimes of pure silk, and at others 

 mixed with foreign matters . 



The Tortrices compose the subgenus PxRAtis, Fab. 



7. The Geometry comprise Lepidoptera in which the body is usually 

 slender, the proboscis either nearly wanting, or generally but slightly 

 elongated, and almost membranous. The inferior palpi are small, and al- 

 most cylindrical. The wings are ample, extended, or tectiform and flat- 

 tened. The antenns of several males are pectinated. Th e thorax is always 



