126 THE entomologist's record, 



to gather helps to confirm Mr. Cockerell's view." As this is the first 

 intimation I have had of Mr. Cockerell's paper referred to, I would 

 point out that after many years' observations on the subject in New 

 Zealand, I have also arrived at the same conclusions. In a paper on 

 " The variation of Argyrophuiga aniipodum " [Ento/nologisi xxii. 37). 

 I gave the results of colour variation in this species, and in Chryso- 

 phaiins boldenarum for a number of years. At the same time I stated 

 that Melanochroism, or a general darkening of the species, occurred in 

 humid seasons, or such succeeding very wet winters. My remarks on 

 " natural selection," in its bearings on the question of Melanism and 

 Melanochroism are also in support of Mr. CockereH"s views. It will 

 thus be seen that the same cause produces the same effects on some 

 species in the same latitudes of north and south. Of course, New 

 Zealand is strictly an insular area.— W. W. Smith, Ashburton, New 

 Zealand. June 6th, 1890. 



Moisture Theory of Melanism. — A striking confirmation of the 

 moisture theory of Melanism came to my notice some few years back. 

 I was then residing at Clapton, and occasionally worked the Hackney 

 Marshes. One evening at dusk I netted about three dozen Tortrices 

 which, when I got home, I found were Xanthosetia zoegana. Quite 

 one half were the form known tss ferriigatia, Haw., which has the whole 

 of the superior wings suffused with a ferruginous tint, instead of 

 bright yellow, as in the type, and of the remainder, several were inter- 

 mediate between the variety and typical specimens. 



Now the spot where I took these was one reeking with moisture, and 

 which during a large portion of the winter months, was covered by floods. 



The species occurs occasionally throughout the Lea Marshes ; but 

 the specimens I have always found typical except in this particular 

 spot. — AV. G. Sheldon. July 21s f, 1890. 



Aneurism in Liparis salicis. — I have noticed similar saccular dis- 

 tension to that described by Dr. F. J. Buckell and others, in Liparis 

 iolicis. — Joseph Anderson, Jun., Chichester. 



Delayed Emergence of Lepidoptera. — The delay in emergence 

 which makes certain individuals of many species remain two or more 

 winters in the pupal state must have several elements in its causation. 

 Some species appear to do so normally — perhaps Petasia nubeculosa is 

 the best example of this. I have now pupge apparently quite healthy 

 going for their fourth winter, and have also Cuspidia inegacepliala going 

 for a third and fourth. There must always be a good deal in individual 

 constitution, for of pupae identically treated, some go over and some 

 come out. I desire, however, more especially to call attention to what 

 is a very usual cause, and that is not a defect of temperature but an 

 excess. It is as though the pupa felt that its proper season for 

 emergence had arrived or past, before it had made a move, and it must 

 therefore wait till next season. This view appeared to be especially 

 demonstrated when, two years ago, I had some pupre of several species 

 that I thought I would get out of the way by forcing them, and began 

 to do so early in the winter. Not one of these pupae would be forced, 

 they resisted the high temperature in the winter, throughout the spring, 

 when their proper season for emergence arrived, and went over the 

 next summer and winter. These pupce included some Dianthcecice, which 

 are rather prone to taking a second winter, some Geometers, and some 



