Ill 



ing from different regions or sections of the same region showed such differ- 

 ences that it was impossible at that time to consider them as identical. Fre- 

 quently, in close proximity we find individuals of the same species so differing, 

 that they have been considered as belonging to distinct species, and it is not 

 until explorations are made in more remote regions that other races are found 

 proving the specific identity of the first two. To illustrate this it will only be 

 necessary, for the members to examine the series now before them from oregona 

 to rejyanda, in which with a fuller series of specimens than we now have, the 

 identity could be established without the possibility of any doubt. Such se- 

 ries may be seen beautifully arranged in the collections of Dr. LeConte and 

 Mr. Ulke. By this it will be seen that within certain limits there can be no 

 greater error committed than that of considering markings alone as indicative 

 of specific differences. We have dorHuUs and Saulcyi becoming at times entirely 

 white, with all degrees between this and the fully marked specimens. Punc- 

 iulata also, from the dull bronze immaculale specimens found with us, becomes 

 in the south western territory brilliant green and with markings almost as dis- 

 tinct as in tortuosa. The variation of rugifrons are none the less marked, the 

 brilliai^t bluish green degenerating to a dull black in the race known as mo- 

 desta. It must be evident to the members that from color the only other alter- 

 native is structure and it seems finally that nothing short of some well defined 

 and permanent structural differences indicate true sj^ecific characters. Perma- 

 nent, because in the group from oregona to repanda we find differences in the 

 serration of the elytral tips, some being almost entirely free of this sculpture, 

 while in others it is very stronglj^ marked. In some instances, structural dif- 

 ferences are more strongly marked in one sex than in the other, as between the 

 females of cuprascens and macra. With closely drawn lines it is probable that 

 of our 68 species one-half, at least, would be considered races or varieties. It 

 therefore behooves the members to be constantly on the watch for even the 

 slightest variation from the typical form, so that large series may be studied 

 and the knowledge sooner attained as to what really constitutes a species and 

 what a variety in the interesting genus Cicindela. 



June 10, 1867. 

 Vice-Presideut Pine in the Chair. 

 Ten members present. 



The following Papers were presented for publication in the Tmus- 

 actions : — 



'• Descriptions of a new Pseudomorpha from California, with notes 

 on the Pseudomorphidae, by Geo. H. Horn, M. D." 



"On Amphizoa insolens, Lee., by Geo. H. Horn, M. D." 



The Report of the Committee on Constitution and By-Laws was ta- 

 ken up, and the Constitution and Chapters 1, 2 and 3 of the By-Laws 

 adopted with several amendments. 



