Sept., 1907.] Luther: Description of Automeris. 131 



they can be readily divided by closely following these descriptions. 

 Also an article in the Canadian Entomologist, Vol. XXXVII, No. 6, 

 p. 216, may help to orient one unused to the genus. The larvae 

 chysalids and eggs of these two species also are very distinct. Of 

 course no one denies that these species are closely allied, as also are 

 calanus and edwardsi, but their distinctive characters are permanent 

 and stable from generation to generation and appear in all the stages 

 from the egg to the imago. Some of the members of the genus Jhanaos 

 are much more confusing than XhtTheclas here referred to but their 

 validity as separate species is unquestioned. The true test of the 

 identity of species is found in breeding. Let Dr. Skinner breed a 

 few of these butterflies and then let us hear his conclusions. How- 

 ever he should not despair. I remember distinctly when I, as a boy, 

 was quite convinced that Argyunis cybele and A. atlantis were iden- 

 tical and that all preceding entomologists were entirely wrong. Such 

 ideas should be kept secret until one has facts wherewith to prove 

 them. Any premature disclosure of one's psychical processes without 

 sufficient facts or adequate logic to substantiate them is unfortunate as 

 it tends to mislead the inexperienced beginners and confuses the litera- 

 ture of the subject. 



DESCRIPTION OF A VARIETY OF AUTOMERIS 



10, FAB. 



By Chas. H. Luther, Jr., 

 Providence, R. I. 



Automeris io, variety fuscus, new. 



Male. Expanse of wing 2" to 1^%". Head, antenn£e, thorax, abdomen, legs 

 and ground color of wings a bright yellow. Discal markings on the fore wings in the 

 form of an irregular broken oval with a dot in the center. Large eyes and broad 

 yellow marginal bands on the hind wings. 



Female. Expanse of wing i^/^" to "^^yi" ■ Head and thorax dark brown. An- 

 tennae, abdomen, legs and under-surface of wings brick color. Markings on the upper 

 surface of fore wings pronounced, the whole having a general rich dark brown effect. 

 Ground color of hind wings, dark yellow with large eyes. 



Habitat. — Providence and Cranston, R. I. 



Eggs. — First all cream color. At the expiration of two days a 

 blue spot appears at the top of the eggs. 



Larva. — First dark brown. Later some are brown and some are 

 green, with the usual io markings and spines. 



