April, '08] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 149 



This theory cannot be tested in a large country, where the 

 shades and colors are various, and can only partially be proven 

 in an isolated country. The Bermudian surface affords us 

 the best possible exemplification of the theory. 



As material for reasoning in this line, let us imagine a 

 coral island placed seven hundred miles from the mainland, 

 as Bermuda is, but connected with it by a chain of islands, as 

 Bermuda could have been, and let all the intervening islands 

 become submerged by the subsidence of the sea bottom, which 

 is possible. Up to this time, the insects of the mainland have 

 had free access to all the islands, and vice versa. Conse- 

 quently, the species are similar and the above condition among 

 the insects of the island cannot arise, but now that they are 

 cut off from the mainland, the local environment begins to 

 shape their destiny, which seems to be as described. 



I believe that all insects so placed will have their colors 

 modified unless extremely well defended by poisonous quali- 

 ties, weapons of defense or underground habits. 



A New Variety of Papilio Philenor. 



BY HENRY SKINNER. 



Papilio phflenor hirsnta n. var. 



This differs from the ordinary form in the hairy character 

 of the body and the shortness of the tails. The thorax and 

 abdomen are clothed with long black hairs and the tails are 

 4.5 mm long. Male and female from Plumas County, Califor- 

 nia, 9,500 feet elevation. Received from Mr. George Franck. 



EDITORS, ENT. NEWS : I take pleasure in announcing the recent or- 

 ganization of "The Association of County Entomologists" of California, 

 formed in San Jose, February isth, 1908. W. H. Volck, Entomologist 

 for Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties, was made president, and E. L- 

 Morris, Entomologist for Santa Clara County, secretary and treasurer. 



The object of the Association is for a more perfect co-operation in 

 dealing with problems common to the orchardists of the districts rep- 

 resented. We hope by frequent consultations, comparison of plans and 

 results of work to be better able to further the horticultural in- 

 terests in our counties. EARL L. MORRIS, Secretary. 



