Lepidopterotis Insects considered indigenous, 14-9 



bars on the back are very beautiful. They fly in jerks like 

 their congeners ; always alight on the side of a tree ; and the 

 cock has a very rich crimson spot on his head. Your in- 

 genious correspondent, the Rev. W. T. Bree, with his never- 

 failing felicity, calls him the pump-borer. (Vol. I. p. 301.) 

 Indeed, the communications of this gentleman, on whatever 

 subject, display such versatility of knowledge and elegance of 

 taste, that tliey always elicit the most cordial admiration ofi ; 



Sir, yours, &c. 

 Westfelton, near Shre'wsburi/, John F. M. Dovaston. 



January 21. 1832. 



Art. VIII. On the Claim of certain Lepidopterous Insects talen 

 in England to be considered as indigenous. By W. A. B. 



That most interesting branch of natural history relating 

 to the geographical distribution of organised existence, is 

 making that progress towards perfection which the daily 

 discovery of new forms, and the most accurate discrimination 

 of specific characters, can alone effect. In this, as in all other 

 departments of science, till settled down on the firm and im- 

 mutable basis of evident truth, we may allow ourselves the 

 aid of theory as of a scaffolding to assist in the erection of a 

 pile which is to endure for ever ; cautious, at the same time, 

 how we argue upon facts stubbornly at variance with our pre- 

 conceived ideas ,* resistance to which may close our eyes to 

 conviction, that might eventually have burst upon our view 

 with the clearness of noonday. 



The observations of our distinguished countryman, Mr. 

 Stephens, in his admirable Illustrations of British Entomology, 

 on S'phin.r Carolina, quinquemaculata, Drur<rV, and some 

 other American lepidopterous insects that have been captured 

 at large in England, have occasioned the following strictures 

 upon what appears to me very inconclusive reasoning against 

 their right to rank as indigenous productions of this " our 

 favoured isle." In venturing these my opinions, in opposi- 

 tion to so great an authority, I am actuated by no wish to 

 dogmatise, but, by challenging enquiry by others, to clear up 

 what I am incompetent singly to decide. 



Mr. Stephens seems to consider it as an established prin- 

 ciple, that a species predominant in one quarter of the 

 globe cannot with propriety be looked upon as aboriginal 

 when found at large in another, although the frequency of 

 its occurrence might otherwise sanction the opinion of its being 



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