112 



Revision of the Australian Hesperiad>e. 



By Oswald B. Lower, F.Z.S., F.E.S., Etc. 

 [Read August 10, 1911.] 



Introduction. 



Since Mr. Meyrick and myself gave our Revision of this 

 group (Trans. Roy. Soc, S.A., vol. xxvi., p. 38, et seq.j many 

 new forms have been discovered and the synonymy of others 

 further corrected, consequently no excuse is necessary for a 

 further revision of this difficult yet fascinating group. In 

 dealing with the present monograph I have not deviated per- 

 ceptibly from the arrangement laid down in the former paper. 

 The neural characters and antenna! structure, together with 

 the peculiarities of palpi, have been made use of where 

 expedient. In recent years Scudder and Elwes have advanced 

 their theory of classification by utilizing the genitalia as a 

 means of discrimination — in fact, Elwes has considered this 

 system of paramount importance in characterizing the differ- 

 ent species. I am not averse to the utilization of these 

 characters when of value or in doubtful species, but prefer 

 keeping to our original arrangement. 



When we become better acquainted with the earlier 

 stages of the various species I hazard the opinion that the 

 present arrangement will require considerable alteration, but 

 as yet we are acquainted with so few that nothing satisfac- 

 tory can be promulgated in this direction. What knowledge 

 I possess in the matter indicates interesting results. The 

 various pupae known to me present generic peculiarities which 

 promise to be of particular value in generic distinctions. 

 Whether they can be used to advantage in future remains to 

 be seen. At present I have an open mind on the question, 

 which is better than formulating an hypothesis which would 

 fashion matters to assimilate with preconceived ideas, as fre- 

 quently the latter method promotes useless disputes over 

 minor details and narrows the mind to indulge in acrimonious 

 personalities which are devoid of value, excepting perhaps to 

 make confusion confounded. For instance, one could form 

 several new genera for the reception of species under Hes- 

 perilla, but the problem is too complex to be finally disposed 

 of with the knowledge we at present possess of the various 

 known species. I have erected new genera where I have con- 

 sidered it necessary and have submerged others when indi- 

 cated. 



