132 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST, 



a distinct species be so rapidly evolved. The ties between the old and 

 the new forms would either be immediately and permanently sundered, 

 or at least greatly enfeebled, as the only means by which these ties of 

 consanguinity could be preserved would be in recurrence of such unusual 

 incursions as that by which the colony had at first been established. The 

 direct influence of the new conditions would be especially effective in pro- 

 ducing modification, because the change of conditions would be an un- 

 usually great one. However, this is but conjecture. As facts, we know 

 that Meadii lives above timber, and Elis, at a great distance to the north, 

 below timber ; and that they differ, although not broadly. They are not 

 known to live next door to each other, anywhere. The geographical relations 

 oi Elis to Meadii may prove more interesting and important than the ques- 

 tion as to the exact biological ties. Should the name of Elis prove to be 

 " Dennis," it is but one more skeleton to stand upon end with the rest of 

 the weird monuments up on Synonym Mountain ; but, in either event, 

 one would like to know just why Elis and Meadii live at different relative 

 altitudes. 



The nature of the difference in the imago between Elis and Meadii is 

 the chief reason for considering them distinct. At first sight, I did not 

 expect Elis would prove distinct from Meadii. After obtaining gradually 

 an ample material oi Elis, and becoming quite familiar with its mode of 

 variation, such differences between Elis and Meadii became evident, that 

 I was obliged to consider the two forms as probably distinct. By the 

 kindness of Mr. David Bruce, I have lately obtained an additional fine 

 series of Meadii, and after repeated comparisons find my previous im- 

 pression strengthened. I sup'pose that a new species of butterfly may be 

 considered inaugurated, so soon as a varying form has acquired a visible 

 diversity in the method of its biological progress, as compared with the 

 method of the proximate species ; and that our earliest recognition of this 

 acquired diversity will be by observation of a correlant diversity in the 

 method of the color-pattern of a representative series of the new species, 

 as compared with the method of the proximate species. I think Elis has 

 reached this point and that it is a valid species. 



Meadii, as such, does not occur at Laggan. My set of six male and 

 eleven female Meadii compare with the caught Elis, in average size, as 

 follows: Meadii, males 47^ mm., females 48 5-7 mm.; ca.\ight Elis, 

 males 51 1-5 mm., females 52 j^ mm.; " fair count and no favour." 



• Erratum. — Page 96, lines i and 2, "Mount Temple about eight miles south- 

 west" — for "south-west" read "south-east." 



