THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 



What I have endeavored to show here is a great variability in color 

 and maculation ; local constancy of color and maculation, and that the 

 local forms often breed absolutely true to themselves, and come fully 

 within Mr. Edwards' definition of a species. 



In the Lepidoptera we find variations equally great The species of 

 Satyrtis may serve as an example. Taking the two forms named, ?iephele 

 and alope alone, and excluding pegala, which really in my opinion belongs 

 with them, we have here two forms, to each of which in most localities 

 Mr. Edwards' definition of a species will perfectly apply. 



In my paper on the genus Satyrus I have recorded the variations of 

 the species, local and otherwise, and my conclusion on a re-examination 

 of further material is confirmed, showing that in the genus Satyriis macu- 

 lation, so far as any exists, is absolutely valueless for specific separation; 

 and further, though it is possible, of course, to separate the forms, I beheve 

 there is no distinct line of demarcation between most of the " species " 

 even recognized in that paper. 



In Chionobas and Cce7ionympha we have analogous variation, also 

 largely local ; but the material in these genera is not yet sufficiently large 

 to allow a final conclusion. In the Noctuidse very similar variations 

 occur. In the East, Agrotis lubricans is one of our most constant forms 

 and has a handsome reddish suffusion over the primaries. In Kans. and 

 N. M is found a form apparently bearing no relation to it ; but yet when 

 closely examined proving identical with our Eastern forms, except that the 

 red shade is replaced by blackish. This Western form Mr. Grote named 

 beat a. In Texas the examples taken are intermediate between the ex- 

 tremes of Eastern and Western types, and as properly referred to one as 

 the other. 



The variations of Agrotis dedarata Wlk. (campestris Grt., decolor 

 Morr., and vcrticaiis Gu.) further illustrate the same local tendencies. 

 This, in the East, is dark in ground color ; westerly the thorax and basal 

 space become rust red, and in some localities the only form found has a 

 lilac gray ground color. Now it is scarcely conceivable that with the same 

 amount of material to work with, any one could come to a different con- 

 clusion, yet at least two of the forms are good species under Mr. Edwards' 

 definition. Other species show equally striking variations, and yet are 

 undoubtedly alike. 



I have cited but a few instances of variation, where the variations are 



