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MEMOIES OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. 
discal venules either situated nearer the base of the wings than usual, either forming a quite regular 
curvilinear line {Hxihrotata or the hinder venule is decidedly bent inward {hydromeli 
and unicolor) or regularly curved inward {hiunilata). 
Legs rather stout, with thick, long tufts of scales; fore tibim with Hat spreading tuft; hind 
tibias with two j^airs of large, nearly equal, long, sharp spurs. Abdomen long, cylindrical, not 
tufted at the end, nor densely woolly, as in Cerura, 
Coloration : The species are quite variable, but more or less dull gray, with indistinct scalloped 
transverse lines and an obscure linear or a twin discal spot; hind wings gray, with a faint interrupted 
diffuse outer line, or whitish; in the suhrotaia group the fore wings are pale ash, with tawny 
blotches at the base, and didused over the wing, while the dai'k markings are more distinct. 
The genus is characterized by the unusually short hind wings, with their well-rounded apex; 
the front of the head is rather narrow, the palpi stout and usually broad; the thorax very hairy 
beneath. The species are nearer those, of Schizura than any other genus of the family, showing 
no near relationship to Cerura in adult characters, except the width of the head on the vertex. 
The limits of the genus are doubtful, and some authors may in the future decide to divide it into 
several, perhaps retaining Lochmaeus and Cecrita as genera. I have been inclined to do this both 
from the venation and the larval characters, but when we take into consideration the unusual 
amount of individual variation in the venation such a course seems hazardous. If any division 
were to be made it must be to retain Lochnuciis for a single species, manteo. 
The genus may bo divided into five subgenera, which are, however, more or less artificial, and 
appear to be perhaps incipient subgenera the result of the specialization of the type in different 
directions. 
Siibgeuua 1, Fore wings long, apex squarish; hind wings well rounded; in the hind wings the second 
suhcustal venule arising half way between the subcostal and independent M. (Lochmeeus) manteo 
Subgenus 2. Fore wings rather long, ajiex pointed; hind wings rounded, short; palpi not very thick and 
stout; fore wings gray, Avitli olive-green or reddish tints, and obscure scalloped inner and outer lines; 
discal mark dih’use and indistinct; discal venules in both wings forming a regularly curved line. 
JI. (Cecrita) umhrata, ohliqua, astarte, guiticittaj hiiindataf and phmoaa 
Subgeniis 3. Antenuje with longer pectinations than in the other species : fore wings short, broad and square 
at the apex (subrotata and ligdromeli)\ venation variable, the discal venules together forming an oblique 
curve. anhrotaia 
Subgenns 4. Discal venules forming a rather sharp angle directed inward, and situated between the inde- 
pendent venule and the first cubital venule. Female antenna3 nearly as well pectinated as in the male. 
H. (TAtodonta) hydromeli 
Suhgenus 5. Fore wings moderately long, with the outer edge bent, the fore wings very uniform in color, 
and without distinct markings of any kind; venation nearly identical with that of aatarte and obliqua. 
H. unicolor 
The geueric characters of Litodonta given by Harvey were these: ^‘It differs by the anteuum 
being pectiuatq in both sexes. "The thorax is more brushily tufted behind ; the head more appressed ; 
the abdomen shorter.” It seems to us that these characters are not of geueric value, as H, suhrotata 
is very neap H, hydromeli^ but others may prefer to retain the genus as distinct, at least until 
something is known of the larval history. 
Larva, — Body usually thickened in the middle; head with a red lateral baud edged with white 
or with white and yellow, with equal red lines, the space between clear green, or filled iu on first, 
third, aud sixth abdominal segments with red, which in some species extends down on the side; 
anal legs either normal or long and slender. In Stage I larva either normal, unarmed, or with 
from one to nine pairs of deer-like antlers; anal legs with normal or (Lf. unicolor) with long, 
slender, eversible ends. 
Cocoon. — ^Eegular oval, translucent, like very thin parchment in color aud structure: spun 
between leaves. 
Fnpa. — Body usually thick aud plump ; front of head with two parallel, slightly marked ridges 
between the eyes; cremaster armed with two stout, large, conical spines, differing much in shape 
in the different sx)ecies. 
Geographical distribution. — The geuus is confined to the New World and the species range from 
Nova Scotia and Maine to Mexico, Central America, Surinam, and Brazil. At present more species 
