— 
1883,] 137 (Grote. 
comparatively described. The descriptions in French of M. Guenée seem 
to me very good asa rule, and, as a consequence, but few of his North 
American species are in doubt. A study of the ornamentation of the Noe- 
tuide is interesting. In related species I found that the differences showed 
themselves first on upper surface of primaries, then of secondaries, lastly, 
beneath. 
T only mention the genus Catocala now to refer to’a paper, published by 
me some twelve years ago, in which I identified one species previously 
described, and in order to recall the fact that IT showed thaf the origin of 
the subreniform spot to be the outer median (transverse posterior) line 
itself. It here set back a sulcation which became gradually separated 
from the line, and in some species now appears as an almost round spot 
without any connection with its point of origin. In like manner I con- 
ceive the stigmata to have originated. The reniform probably form the 
median shade, the orbicular and claviform form the inner median (t. a.) 
line. The spots are then developments from the transverse lines, although 
it may not be certain whether the reniform is not a relic of a former band, 
or perhaps of the outer line, though this is not so probable, judging from 
the course of the median shade, which, in some species, seems to be inter- 
rupted by the reniform. Every one has read or should read the best chap- 
ter in Mr. Scudder’s book on butterflies, that on classification and origin, 
and will remember his theory of the primitive style of marking, a succes- 
sion of lines following the shape of the outer margin. It seems quite exact 
to me from my previous studies of the markings of the Moctuida. It also 
works in with my conclusions as to the law of variation in this group, 
which I showed affected the upper surface of fore wings first, then the hind 
wings, and then the under surface, following the exposure of the surface, 
to the light and air. 
From these characters we may offer the following réswmé by which the 
student may recognize a Noctuid. The front is square and broad, the 
labial palpi are divergent and prominent, obliquely ascending, the second 
joint longest and thickly pilose, the ocelli are present, the eyes are full, 
the tongue stout, the maxillary palpi concealed, the antenne thread-like, 
ciliate or brush-like, rarely pectinate in the males. The thorax is heavy 
and stout, the prothorax broad and distinct, the patagia relieved, the meta- 
thorax very short, the flanks broad ; the wings stiff, strong and short, the 
secondaries plain, covered by the fore wings in repose, the primaries 12, 
the secondaries 8 veined, the latter with two internal veins counted as 
one; the legs are strong, tarsi spinose, tibiz sometimes with claws or 
spines. The abdomen is conical, and exceeds the hind wings, its contour 
defined. The vestiture is hairy or mixed with flattened scales, usually 
dense. 
The form of the Noctuida (as insisted on by Agassiz as a family charac- 
ter), united three structurally distinct groups, regarded as families by 
Lederer. The first of these is represented in our fauna by a few species, 
and is nowhere numerous. No name hitherto employed for it is tenable 
PROC, AMBR. PHILOS, SOC. XxI. 114. R. PRINTED AUGUST 3, 1883. 
