INTRODUCTION. 33 



the work. Indeed my object in this prehminaiy sketch, has rather been to point out 

 in a general manner at the commencement, the plan which I have projected for my 

 arrangement, than to limit or define the groups permanently. I trust, however, that 

 the confirmation afforded by the Wiener Verzeichnis to this first imperfect essay, will 

 obtain for it an indulgent reception, until a more satisfactory elucidation can be 

 afforded. 



I have now traced the whole order of Lepidoptera in a rapid manner. I have 

 attempted to show that it consists of five tribes, and that in the metamorphosis of 

 each tribe, certain proiTiinent or typical forms are manifested, indicating the subdi- 

 visions next in rank, which will be denominated, according to the plan of the Annu- 

 losa Javanica, stirpes. The gradual passage of one tribe into another, or the con- 

 nexion of these higher groups by a natural affinity, has been only superficially stated; 

 but it will be sufficiently apparent, I trust, that in the disposition of these tribes, I have 

 attempted to follow the most gradual succession of nature ; and I shall leave the 

 proofs of this to the progress of the work itself. There is, however, one point re- 

 garding tlie connexion of the two principal tribes which presents itself for immediate 

 notice. If the position above advanced be conformable to truth, we are now enabled 

 to show with cogency, that the 'whole order of Lepidoptera constitutes a series 

 returning into itself. The satisfactory illustration of this point will be given with 

 greater advantages at the close of the work, when the subjects themselves shall have 

 passed in review, and can be appealed to ; and my present object will be chiefly to 

 show the point of connexion between the tribe first mentioned and the last, in which 

 the circle is completed. If we therefore return to the Papilionidas, we find the 

 stirps which recedes farthest from the typical character, to exhibit a decided tendency 

 towards the nocturnal Lepidoptera, both in its perfect state and in its metamorphosis; 

 this in both stages is indicated by their names, viz. Hesperidce in the former, Tortri- 

 ciformes in the latter. Nothing can more strongly prove this point than the following 

 description of the different stages, from the Vienna Catalogue : Fam. A (Papilionum) 

 Larva Tortriciformis ; Larva nonnullis Phalaenarum larvis persimilis ; subnuda ; 

 antice posticeque tenuior (subfusiformis) ; capite globoso paululum fisso ; in foliis 

 contextis habitare solet. Metamorphosis ad modum larvarum Tortricum, in tela. 

 Chrysalis similis phalaenarum pupis. A similar approach to the nocturnal Lepidop- 

 tera is exhibited by the perfect insect of the Hesperidse ; the body is generally short 

 and thick, the head large, the anterior wings when the insect is at rest expanded ; 

 the hinder tibige provided with fwo pair of spurs, one in the middle the other at the 

 tip. They fly chiefly in the latter part of the day. Imago pedibus sex sequalibus ; 

 antennis brevibus ; corpore plerumque brevi crasso, capite magno. Sedens alas, impri- 

 mis posticas, suberectas gerit. In all these particulars the Hesperidse depart from the 



F diurnal 



