THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 89 



produced apically, the hind margin convex (in Bellona it is concave or 

 sinuous), the base less obscured, beneath paler." If these characters are 

 not enough on which to found a species, or separate two species, how 

 much further must we look ? But in addition there are other separating 

 characters. 



What are we to think of a transient visitor on the strength of his 

 desultory experience " going through " such collections as he had access 

 to, pencil in hand and carpet bag in the hall, and of his " authentically 

 named " specimens from " experienced collectors," making a list after this 

 fashion ? Confessing at every step that he is lost, groping his way by 

 query marks, uncertain whether to call a thing a var. or a good species ; 

 but, all the same, putting each incomprehensible form under something 

 else. He laments his trouble, but can't approve of Edwards' way of 

 getting over the difficulty (Elwes' difficulty) by creating other species, 

 p. 566. Everywhere trans, ad Zerene, vel Edwardsii, vel Monticola, vel 

 Behrensii, vel Cailippe, vel Meadii, one species half the time trans, to at 

 least two others. The result of this floundering is a paper and list on the 

 lines of, and level with, Strecker's Catalogue ! With a difference, how- 

 ever, in favor of Mr. Strecker : that no matter how ignorant he is, he 

 never allows it, but is cock sure that Cybele and Leto and Nokomis are 

 but the same thing; and Colias Eriphyle, Philodice a.nd Euryt kerne ; 

 and Satyrus Nephele, Ariane, Boopis, Gabbii, Alope, Fegala, IVheeleri, 

 all one (vide Cat.). We do not find him dealing in query marks or alter- 

 natives. Such assurance is at least refreshing in contrast with the painful 

 uncertainty and confusion of this paper. 



Indefinite knowledge is definite ignorance, but when one is in the 

 latter state, why take the world into his confidence ? 



I suppose, before Darwin, all naturalists were perforce lumpers of 

 species. Each species was a little world with its group of satellites. 

 But, since 1861, the view is changed, and in this country lumpers are 

 nearly as scarce as dodos. 



I myself am the reverse of a lumper in my method of work, and as I have 

 always avowed the fact, my position is well understood. " I apprehend," 

 says Prof Owen, "that few naturalists nowadays, in describing and propos- 

 ing a name for what they call ' a new species,' use that term to signify what 

 was meant by it twenty or thirty years ago. ■•' * * * -j-j-ig proposer 



