gg INTRODUCTION. 



in its disposition somewhat analogous to the horn of the Sphingidae, but very different 

 in form and appearance. The colours of this larva are generally green or brown ; and 

 in some of the subdivisions it is handsomely variegated : in all cases it is longi- 

 tudinally striated, but the striae vary in number and breadth : it is occasionally 

 marked with a single broad longitudinal lateral band; the surface is almost in all 

 cases dotted, and sometimes variegated with large distinct white spots. Several of 

 the forms in our series agree so strikingly with the families of the Vienna Catalogue, 

 that they deserve to be enumerated, as affording an illustration of the identity of this 

 stirps in Europe, and in the tropical regions of Java, viz. 



Fam. H. Larva? Tenuistriatce, p. 72, No. 42, 55, &c. Javanese Metamorphoses ; ty- 

 pical genus Polia, Hubn. 



Fam. M. Larva? Albilaterales, p. 77, No. 30, 36, &c. Jav. Met. ; typical genus Gra- 

 phiphora, Hubn. 



Fam. N. Larva? Terricola?, p. 79, No. 46, &c. Jav. Met. ; typical genus Agrotis, 

 Hubn. 



Fam. O. Larva? Largostriata?, p. 81, &c. No. 62, 157, 13, &c. Jav. Met. ; typical 

 genus Mamestra, Ochsenh. 



Fam. P. Larva? Obliquostriata?, p. 83, No. 150, &c. Jav. Met. ; typical genus Hadena, 

 Schrank. 



The Fam. B, which with great propriety has been named Bombyciformis, because 

 the larva resembles the verticillate stirps among the Bombycidae, belongs also to this 

 stirps, but not to the typical groups. The typical genus is Acronicta ; and the pecu- 

 liarity of the larva is noted by Mr. Curtis. It is also found in the Javanese series. 



The distinguishing character of the larva of the next stirps of Noctuidaa which 

 I shall enumerate, although without any regard to its affinity, is its being attenuated 

 almost equally towards both extremities, and very slightly covered with a short down. 

 The name of Fusiformis is therefore with propriety applied to one of its subdivisions, 

 which constitutes the family C of the Noctuae of the W. V. This family embraces 

 several genera of the present systems ; as Lithosia, at least in part, and Eidepia of 

 Curtis, and Deiopeia of Stephens. I defer the analysis of its subdivisions to another 

 occasion. I shall then endeavour to examine the somewhat extraordinary combina- 

 tions of Schrank ; if they are correct, many of the Tinea? will be here arranged. 

 Schrank's genus Setina, comprises most of the species of the family with fusiform lar- 

 vae; and he unites in one family, which he denominates Lepidoptera Tineafformia, be- 

 sides Setina, the genera Nemapogon, Tinea, Setella, Harpella, Plutella, and Stigmella. 

 It remains to be ascertained whether these are indeed related by affinity, or whether 

 he has been guided in this disposition merely by analogical relations. The habit of 



forming 1 



