Not dealt with in this volume.
IX.—THE MICROPTERYGINA.
The following are the principal characters of the Micropterygina:—
"Fore-wings with an oblique membranous dorsal process (jugum) near base, forming with the dorsal margin a notch or sinus, which receives the costa of the hind-wings. Hind-wings without frenulum, 1c present, with 11 or more veins, neuration essentially, almost or quite identical with that of fore-wings. Fore-wings and hind-wings more than usually remote at origin.
"In the two families, which constitute this highly interesting group, is fortunately preserved a type of Lepidoptera whose existence could never have been inferred from a study of other forms. Without a knowledge of these two families the true origin of the order could never have been more than a matter of more or less probable conjecture. The Micropterygidæ are the primeval ancestors of all the Lepidoptera, indicating their origin from the Trichoptera so nearly that one or two more discoveries might make it hard to draw any line of demarcation. The Hepialidæ are an offshoot from the Micropterygidæ (with considerable extinction of intermediate forms), constituting a separate line of development quite unconnected with any other Lepidoptera; if, as is possible, this separate stem may have ever given rise to other branches forming distinct families, all trace of their existence seems to have been lost.
"Imago with fore-wings and hind-wings more or less semi-oval, termen and dorsum forming a nearly uniform curve.
"Larva with few hairs, with 10 to 16 prolegs, or apodal, living concealed.
"Pupa in Hepialidæ with segments 7 to 11 and in male 12, in Micropterygidæ with all segments free."—(Meyrick.)
In this work the Hepialidæ alone are dealt with, the Micropterygidæ being reserved for a future work. It may, however, again be mentioned that the last-named family contains amongst its New Zealand representatives Palæomicra chalcophanes, a species which more closely approximates in structure to a Neuropterous insect than does any other member of the Lepidoptera. This insect is consequently regarded by Mr. Meyrick as the most ancient species of the order yet known. The survival of Palæomicra in New Zealand is quite in accord with the existence of such forms as Apteryx and Dinornis amongst the birds, the tuatara lizard (Sphenodon) amongst reptiles, and Peripatus amongst Myriapoda, archaic forms which have been preserved in this country through its long isolation from continental areas, and the resulting absence of more recent competing forms.