I02 John Henry Comstock 



the reduction of the anal area of the fore wings precedes the 

 reduction of the anal area of the hind wings. 



E. The Generalised Frenuliivi-conservers . — Moths in 

 which the anal area of the hind wings retains three veins, and 

 in which the base of media of one or of both pairs of wings is 

 preserved. In all of these moths the second branch of media 

 (vein V.^) tends to become united with cubitus, thus forming a 

 four-branched cubitus. 



This is to a certain extent an artificial division, being based 

 on characters that represent merely a degree of divergence 

 from a primitive type. But it is really much more nearly a 

 natural division than would seem at first sight. For if we 

 omit those Zygsenids that are included in it, it consists of four 

 families, each of which is comparatively little removed from 

 the stem form of the Frenatae, and each represents a complete 

 line of development. It is a grouping together of several 

 short stems that arise near the base of the genealogical tree. 

 In the case of the Zygsenids included here we have to do with 

 generalized members of a line of development which has 

 reached in its more specialized forms as great a degree of di- 

 vergence from the primitive type as has been attained by any 

 members of the order. 



I place but little weight upon the divisions of this group of 

 families indicated below and in the table above. It is merely 

 a convenient distribution based on recognition characters, and 

 is not intended to represent affinities. For I believe each of 

 these families represents a distinct line of descent, between 

 which and any other line we at present know no connection 

 except that of the common progenitor of all Frenatae. 



F. Moths in which a great reduction of the subcostal cell of 

 the hind wings is taking place, the subcosta and radius being 

 grown together to near the end of the discal cell. (Figs. lo, 



25-) 



G. Moths in which the anal veins of the fore wings anas- 

 tomose so as to appear to be branched outwardly, (Fig. 

 25) The extremely generalized condition of these moths is 

 shown by the slight reduction of the anal areas, there being 

 three anal veins in both fore and hind wings, although veins 

 IX and XI of the fore wings coalesce to a considerable 



