496 Note on the Classification of Moths. [May, 
seems evident that the animal body is fundamentally molded by 
the energies of a double polarity, the one arising from the chemi- 
cal character, and the other from the physical relations of proto- 
plasm. The influence of external energies, strongly declared in 
the early phases of animal evolution, becomes less and less de 
_Clared as the polar energies assert themselves, so that eventually ! 
the action of external force is confined to producing the minor, 
specific differences of organization; while the deep-lying, typical 
characteristics of organic form are due to the action of the polar 
energies. 
And the character of the polarity specially referred to in this l 
paper may be thus epitomized. Nutrition is primarily devoted to q 
the growth and preservation of the individual animal, while its l 
excess or overflow is directed to the reproductive pole, where t 
yields the germ of a new animal. Motor influence is primarily 
devoted to the vitality and activity of the individual animal, while 
its excess is directed to and retained in the sensory pole, where 
riorly, the other anteriorly to their respective poles. The mate 
rial germ is more matter than energy, the mental germ mor : 
energy than matter. The one is*the ultimate of material 0 l 
chemical complexity, the other of motor complexity. As Om F 
pared with each other we may look upon the material germ 
possessed of maximum matter with minimum motion ; and re 
mental germ of minimum matter with maximum motion ; ie 
essential difference consisting in the complexity of material agg™ 
gation in the one, and of motor aggregation in the other. 
Fa 
e 
NOTE ON THE CLASSIFICATION OF MOTHS. ; ’ 
BY A, R. GROTE. 
HEN we take a general survey of the different p | 
tions proposed by authors, we must be struck with 1 
ferent ideas expressed with regard to the composition of aie 
and sub-families. Ata glance we see that the sub-families 0: = 
Bombycidæ and those of the Pyralidæ (as the last are r p 
in the “ New Check List”) have a higher value than the n wt 
of the Noctuidz and Geometride, as adopted by Guen Fi 
Packard. They rest on peculiarly strong structural grou” f 
