the Classification of Lepidoptera. 
349 
Frenatge " and the Generalised Frenatge ^' respectively, 
i will not do more here than call attention to this 
difference, as the Pyromorphidse is one of the families 
about which I have been in doubt. From this there can 
be no doubt that Dyar correctly differentiates the 
Euchromiidde, the Arctiid part of the so-called Zijgsenidse, 
from the PyromorphidsBj which represent the true 
Zyg£enas in America. If this be so, his conclusions 
are in agreement with those of Dr. Chapman. 
The study of a group of insects from the point of 
view of any special structure deserves nothing but praise. 
Its utility is beyond all question ; but generalisations 
based on such a study should be compared most care- 
fully with results already obtained in other directions, 
in order to see that they do not widely disagree with 
them. If they do, the matter should be gone over 
again, with a view of showing either that the previous 
results are a,ctually at fault or that there is an error in 
the present generalisation, for it may be regarded as 
certain, that any system, based on a really good, re- 
liable, structural character will in the main agree with 
that ideal system which it is the desire of all scientific 
men to reach, which, based on a study of insects in all 
their stages, shall show us their lines of evolution and 
their present relations to each other. 
The results submitted by Comstock, Hampson, and 
Dyar agree in one important particular, and that is, 
that they substantiate the apparently sweeping innova- 
tions which Dr. Chapman made as regards the relations 
of various families of Lepidoptera. Probably his paper 
was the most severe blow which the Bombyces, as a 
collective group, ever received, whilst it revolutionised 
our ideas of the Tineina. Lepidopterists, generally, 
recognized the heterogeneous mixture which these two 
groups presented, but what their real relationships were 
no one seemed able to point out. Some of the Bombyces, 
so-called, were transferred by Dr. Chapman to the 
lowest groups of the Lepidoptera ; whilst some of the 
Tineina were shown to exhibit a strikingly high deve- 
lopment. Unfortunately our American workers at this 
subject, as well as Mr. Hampson, appear to have found 
the Tineina too tough a task for their entomological 
digestion ; it is to be hoped, however, that they will 
attack this part of the work from their own points of 
TKANS. ENT. SOC. LOND. 1895. — PART III. (SEPT.) 23 
