498 Note on the Classification of Moths. 
With the Noctuidz comparatively sharp division may be at- 
tempted between the Noctuinz and Catocalina, yet an observer 
such as M. Guenée classified a catocaline form as a species of 
Heliophila, and I believe that an insect allied to Ophiusa has beea 
recently described as a species of Taeniocampa, illustrating the 
difficulties of the task. The Deltoids, on the other hand, slide 
imperceptibly into the lower Catocaline. Here the tropical 
forms are so numerous and diverse, that’ the links seem yet exist 
ing and the value of this division is thus lowered below that of the 
two others. Yet the extremes, such as Catocala and Hypena, are 
readily distinguished. j 
I would regard the Bombycidæ in the light in which I gather 
the group is held by Dr. Packard, as a family of moths of ancient — 
origin, and which, as it survives to-day, affords numerous syi- 
thetic sub-family groups, which should not be divorced from he 
family association ; its classification may be considered as typical : 
of the arrangement of other groups of moths. Starting with 
ideas derived from a study of the Bombycidz, we shall be bet- 
ter prepared for an appreciation of the relationship existing ber 
tween other groups of genera in nocturnal Lepidoptera. In tht 
classification of the Noctuidæ it would seem best to hold a post 
tion intermediate between that of Guenée and Lederer, in ordet : 
to avoid, on the one hand, the formation of sub- family gro 
which rest on slight characters and, on the other, to insure’ i 
recognition of the break which probably exists between 
groups first indicated under the names of Woctue nonfi asciale aud 
Noctue fasciate by Borkhausen. The difficulty of studying thè 
Noctuidz is increased by the number of forms inhabiting Noctis 
no more than a dozen species mentioned in our books, 
have about sixteen hundred. The number grows at 
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for example, which, to the appearance of Orthosia, has is 
eyes and untufted abdomen of Teniocampa and the spine 
more especially characteristic of the genus Agrotis. 
