the 'prototype of V. Vrtica / 3 



does not affect the development of the individual, but such 

 individuals are treated as friends. It is to be remembered, 

 at the same time, that the larva of Urtica bears a much 

 closer resemblance to Fymmeis Cardui than to Pohjchloroa 

 [specimens of larvae (preserved) were exhibited for the sake 

 of comparison.] 



3. If it happen to be a hybrid^ between the two species, it 

 offers an instance of the fact which has been proved by 

 Darwin and others, that in the case of hybrids between 

 closely- alhed forms the progeny, instead of assuming direct 

 intermediate characters, inherits the characters of one or 

 other of its parents; and that in numerical proportions 

 varying with the circumstances. As my specimen is the 

 only known individual of the swarm the theory is rather 

 a lame one. 



4. Lastly, on the understanding that the specimen is the 

 development of an Urtica larva, we must conclude that it is 

 a case of recurrence to a previous form, and, if so, that form ivas 

 PolycJdoros ; that, while PolycJdoros has not changed, the 

 change of habitat and envh'onment has brought about the 

 marked variety which now constitutes a separate species in 

 UrticcB. In favour of this supposition I may instance the 

 well-known fact that 7. Urticw,^ like T'. C-Album and P. 

 Cardui, varies occasionally in colour, markings, and size, 

 whilst PolycJdoros is much more persistent — indeed almost 

 invariable — in type, though irregular in point of size. The 

 latter variability, however, is common to all classes of animals 

 at any given period. 



This persistency of type argues an antiquity beyond that 

 of its allies, and makes it appear highly probable that F. Poly- 

 chloros is the ancestral prototype of V. Urticce. 



[In connection with Mr. White's paper, it may be interest- 

 ing to quote the following record of a similar experience 



i[The Rev. G. H. Raynor records ('Entomologist' vi. 221), finding 

 a specimen of V. Urticce ui coitu with V. PolycJilows. — Ed.] 



2 Newman, in his ' British Butterflies,' gives woodcuts of four aberrations 

 of UrticcBy but not one of Polycliloros ; nor does he instance any variation 

 in the latter species. 



