23 
the hindwing—which is generally more weakly marked. The Phalae- 
nidae (Boarmids, etc.) contain most of the large species, most of the 
most densely scaled and clothed, the great majority of those with 
angled and irregular wing-margins, etc. 
The Acidaliidae show a great predilection for the wave-like mark¬ 
ings, and these are generally reproduced with equal distinctness in the 
hindwing; in some, at least, of the wave-marked Larentiids, such as 
Eupisteria obliterata, Vennsia cambrica, the hindwings are much more 
faintly marked. It is interesting in this connection to remark that in 
the extremely rare cases in which the Acidaliids take on a median band 
after the manner of the Larentiidae, they reproduce that also on the 
hindwing; the typical form of Ptychopoda aversata will occur to you as 
an example. The Wave Moths, too, are usually of small size, of slender 
build, and if not “ wasp-waisted,” at least somewhat feeble at the 
junction of thorax with abdomen ; who has not moved a row of dry 
specimens of Acidalia in fear and trembling, knowing from, past 
experience that the least jerk will assuredly send the abdomen flying? 
A prominent feature in their structure, and one which should have 
thrust itself upon the notice of every careful setter, is the very frequent 
abortion of the $ hindleg, the tibia sometimes seeming little more 
than a brush or fan of hairs, while the tarsus is greatly abbreviated or 
almost lost. This peculiarity has been used in classification, and 
I shall have occasion to return to it. 
The early stages of the family deserve close attention. The eggs 
are comparatively seldom of the simple ovate form of the Larentiids, 
but are often bricked, or at least a good ideal elongate, and in some 
instances elaborately ribbed. The majority that have come under my 
notice are of a fleshy shade, mottled with darker. The larvie show 
great diversity, and will also be returned to later. In the typical 
section {Acidaliinae) the larval seems to be invariably the hybernating 
stage, and the predilection of most of the species for withering or 
decaying food—in a few cases, like herbariata, for thoroughly dry 
plants—is almost proverbial. The pupa is seldom of quite the 
prevalent Geometrid—or shall I say “ Heterocerid ? ”—texture, its case 
being thin and fragile, the thorax nearly always completely split down 
on dehiscence, sometimes altogether much broken. In some of the 
species of so-called Acidalia, there seems to be also a resemblance to 
the somewhat flattened, anteriorly broadened form that is characteristic 
of Cosymbia (Zonoscnna ) and of Anisodes, etc. 
I may here remark that, regarding the Acidaliidae as a family, I am 
inclined to recognize three subfamilies (1) Acidaliinae , which are our 
study this evening, (2) Cosyrnbiinae ( = Ephyridae of Guenee) which are 
certainly related to the preceding, though differing in some points in 
larva, pupa, and imago. We have in Britain only one genus, Cosymbia 
(porata , pendularia , etc.), but the Oriental and Neotropical Anisodes, 
Heterophyra, and others belong to the same subfamily, (3) Cyllopodinae, 
which are perhaps only connected with the Acidaliinae by convergence. 
They are comparatively large and strong, bright yellow species, pre¬ 
senting a very distinct aspect; but they have so many structural 
characters in common with true Acidaliids that if there be no direct 
phylogenetic connection it is a very remarkable coincidence. The 
great African Aletis and its allies—which enter into mimetic associa- 
xx. 
