THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 207 



as a connecting link ( Uebergang ) to the Hesperidce. They are, in most 

 respects, as far from the skippers as any other true butterfly. The coin- 

 cidences at best indicate that, in certain characters, the Papilionidce stand 

 nearer to the common ancestor than the Nymphalidce. But whether our 

 surmises are right or wrong — and that they are right or wrong cannot be 

 proved, and is a matter of mere reasonable probability — we stand in need 

 of a linear series for our catalogues and collections. This is a practical 

 want, and we must meet it by the most philosophical means possible. 

 We are offered a certain character in the true butterflies, the different 

 modifications of the front pair of feet, and this character it is clearly philo- 

 sophic and practical to use. We must not be influenced by slighter 

 characters to overturn our conclusions, or by vague general considerations 

 which are wide of the result we are aiming at, which is a reasonable 

 sequence for our species, genera and families of butterflies. 



I find that Mr. Wallace says that the Da?iaidce, no less than the 

 Papilionidce, have developed complicated adaptations to the surrounding 

 organic and inorganic universe. Adaptation, mimicry and dimorphism, 

 depend evidently on climate and surroundings, and are not any proof of 

 higher structural value in themselves. They are phenomena called forth 

 by circumstance, with the plastic butterfly as the wax for the seal. Perhaps 

 this very plasticity is a proof of a certain weakness of type, just as weak- 

 ness of character in us is displayed by our attending to every wind that 

 blows. " In the extensive family of NynipJialidce" says Mr. Wallace, " we 

 find that several of the larger species, of feebler structure, have their 

 wings modified ; while the powerful species, which have all an exces- 

 sively rapid flight, have exactly the same form of wing in Celebes as in the 

 other islands." Size or relative beauty are no guide for a structural 

 arrangement. 



I should commence, then, the linear series of our butterflies with the 

 four-footed butterflies : First the Nyinphalidce, following these with the 

 Satyridce, which differ by the blistering of the veins of the fore-wings, and 

 are considered by writers generally as a distinct " family." There have 

 to be general considerations guiding our arrangement of the genera ; and 

 the knowledge requisite to form these is hardly gathered yet. A mere 

 technical description of form and structure is not of itself sufficient. Com- 

 parisons are needed of all the stages. Again, in the stringing together of 

 the mass of detail, the general principles which should guide us in estab- 



