Dec. 1897 ] 
Grote: Classification of Lepidoptera. 
151 
carried to its extreme. I try to show, in pursuance of this observation, 
that it is questionable whether we can believe that the corresponding 
simplification can be attained by the Radius of the primaries, from the 
different position and conditions of the two wings. It is also interfered 
with by the absorption of IVi. This proves the absorption of the 
Media to have commenced after the absorption of the radial veins on 
secondaries. 
4. I try to show that the general movement is inaugurated with the 
secondaries and that these show its effects more plainly than the pri¬ 
maries in one and the same individual. We must logically expect this 
to be the case from the entire course and the resulting theory of the 
specialization as applied to the wings, and regard it as arising from 
mechanical causes. 
To descend to the application of these conclusions to classification, 
I try to show : 
1. That the position assigned by Scudder and Comstock (1. c. Ill,) 
to the Swallowtails, next above the Hesperidae, cannot be maintained 
in view of the pattern of the wings. The wing pattern of the Hes- 
periadae and Lycaenidae is really the same and the interpolation of the 
Papilionidae at this point is a violent proceeding.- Far better is the 
position assigned to the Papilionidae by Chapman; best of all the plac¬ 
ing of the Parnassi-Papilionidae, in a linear series, at the commence¬ 
ment of the Day Butterflies. The longitudinal vein IX on primaries, 
being a subprimary vein offers a subprimary character for dichotomy. 
The wing of Papilio loses its generalized characters, by a gradual pro¬ 
cess of specialization, in Parnassius. The Parnassi-Papilionidae differ 
by a “high” character, the loss of VIII on secondaries, from all the 
other butterflies. They are thus comparable with the Attacinae, the 
most specialized of Moths. 
2. I have shown the indissoluble nature of the alliance between the 
Parnassiidae and Papilionidae and that the former are more specialized 
and should “head the series.” The similiarity in color between the 
Parnassians and Pierids is adventious and secondary. 
3. I have shown that the Nymphalidae retain the radius in a gener¬ 
alized condition. That the higher groups alone show a perfection on 
on the opening of the cell, but that the upper branch of the Media is 
not absorbed by the Radius (as in Mancipium , Pier is, Nemeobius ) but 
retains generally its position on the crossvein at the extreme upper cor¬ 
ner of the cell. I thus show that there is small ground, from the neura- 
tion, for any supremacy of the Nymphalidae, still less of the Agapetidae, 
