THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST, 28 



H< 



paper remains to be done before the maps can be more than tentative. 

 Dr. Smith called attention to the fact that the geological formations often 

 mark sharp transitions in the distribution of insects and also in life 

 histories. He cited the fact that on one border of a certain formation in 

 New Jersey the elm-leaf beetle and codling moth are single-brooded and 

 on the other double-brooded. 



Dr. Howard called attention to the fact that locality labels by States 

 were unreliable for West Virginia. 



4. A fourth paper by F. M. Webster, entitled " Warning Colours, 

 Protective Coloration, and Protective Mimicry," was read and discussed 

 at length. 



The paper treated of cases among insects where a species unarmed 

 and in no way capable of protecting itself, was, to a certain extent, pro- 

 tected by its resemblance to armed species, or such as are known to be 

 distasteful. Others, by their actions, mimicked the movements of certain 

 other species, and were thereby mistaken for such as are inedible. The 

 ground was taken that birds, after learning that certain insects were not 

 fit for food, would shun any other insects appearing like these, wherever 

 they might come in contact with them, even though at a different season 

 of the year. There may be cases where one species mimics another, 

 when the enemy has become exterminated and no protection is needed. 

 Caution was enjoined against hasty and immature conclusions, as there is 

 much to be learned in the matter, but facts should not be cast aside as 

 mere coincidences when more information would enable us to push the 

 problem to a point nearer a solution. That insects, especially, gain pro- 

 tection from their coloration and movements is assured, but much 

 caution is necessary before conclusions are reached. The paper was 

 illustrated by specimens. 



5. " On the Variations of certain Species of North American Odon- 

 ata," by D. S. Kellicott, was a brief study of certain of our common 

 species. Attention was drawn to the fact that species were not always 

 separated even by authorities in the group ; that when distinct species 

 are separated from their confreres by such very slight differences of 

 structure and coloration it is necessary to carefully record the variations 

 of even our commonest species. The species reported were Etiallagma 

 carwictdatum^ Morse, found in collections, until Morse pointed out its 

 distinctness, under the label oi E. civile, Hagen., and the Gomphines, G. 

 fraternus, Say, and G. externus, Selys. The first was found to be in 



