166 [June 16, 
Grote.] 
slight structural characters. IT am inclined to keep in view the general ap- 
pearance and pattern of the insects in sorting them into genera, this has 
led me too far in the present group, as shown by Mr. Smith, and I have 
modified my views in consequence. There may be a question as to two or 
three genera which I here retain, but no harm is done by keeping them 
separate, and the natural grouping of the insects is facilitated. In but few 
cases have I overlooked the characters as charged by Mr. Smith, I have 
rather failed to recognize their true importance, and, without the Euro- 
pean types before me, and wanting some rare American. species, it was 
difficult to avoid making too many genera, considering the strong modifi- 
cations in armature exhibited by the different species. After having posi- 
tively referred Oxylos to Heliothis, Mr. Smith as positively now refers the 
genus to Alaria. Perhaps, when our species are all known, the genus may 
turn out to be valid ; it differs very slightly from Heliothis as stated by me, 
the shape of the wings divide it from Alaria ; thus I leave it for the pres- 
ent with one or two others, and having again gone over the generic types 
accessible to me in this group, the present arrangement expresses my final 
decision and comprehension of the matter. 
22. Acontiine m. This group contains the large genus Tarache (Acontia 
Ochs.) which is numerously represented in Africa and Southern Europe. 
Our American forms are only partially known. The vestiture is scaly, 
mossy and short on the front, the eyes are full, large, naked and unlashed. 
The colors are white with shades of olivaceous or purply, on fine dark 
streaks and scintillant patches. The finest species is Twrache Lactipennis 
Harvey, which simulates Ovris Wilsontt. Trichotarache differs in the im- 
portant character of hairs mixed with the body vestiture ; it borrows a 
character from the preceding group; the moth closely resembles 7. Hlavi- 
pennis in appearance, Trileucw has the shining look of Zarache, and in the 
body parts resembles my Buea from Texas, which has an European ana- 
logue, judging from descriptions. The tibie are unarmed; both forms 
have three pale transverse lines, and are of a peculiar fady ochry color. 
23. Hustrotiine m. This group is equivalent to the Moctuo-Phalwnidi of 
Boisduval, and contains mostly weak-bodied and frail-winged forms of 
which a few are remarkably distinct in structure. Spragueta differs from 
the European Agrophila, by the absence of vein 5 on the secondaries, and 
the narrower fore wings, which have the course of the subcostal veinlets 
modified. Thalpochares has no accessory cell; I have examined the neu- 
ration alone of Avtheria and Putula. Huherrichia is of a rich brown color 
with silver spots and lines, and has been confounded with the European 
genus Hriopus, of which latter genus we have a Floridian representative. 
Annuphila is a curious Californian genus, the species looking like minia- 
ture Catocale ; the genus appears to me related to Hustrotia, Azenia is re- 
markable for the clypeal structure. Hxyra has a roughly haired thorax, 
and the species feed, in the larval state, on the Pitcher Plant (Sarracenia). 
The economies of nature are very curious. While many flowers, in losing 
their honey, have their seeds ripened by the pollen brought to the ovary 
