306 THE entomologist's record. 



for a public apology. Of course, I regret hurting the feelings of the 

 members of the Council ; but, that the outside members fully under- 

 stand, that what I write is intended for the ultimate good of the 

 Society, is proven by my election on the Council at the last Annual 

 Meeting. I am sorry that I cannot find room to print the lengthy 

 letter from the Council, and the reply which it would demand. 



Erratum. — For "This," page 281, line 24, read, '"' E. heydeniana." 

 As at present constituted, the paragraph reads as if "This" referred to 

 erigerana, which is incorrect. 



VARIATION. 



Lyc^na ICARUS VAR. — The variety of L. icorus mentioned by your 

 correspondents on p. 282, having a row of black spots on the margin 

 of hind wings, was named nigromaailata in Efito/ii. 1889, p. 99. Mr. 

 South exhibited and remarked on this variety at a meeting of the South 

 London Entomological Society on July 14th, 1887. — T. D. A. 



COCKERELL. 



Parallel Variation in Coleoptera. — It may not be uninteresting 

 to note that the question of parallel variation in closely allied species 

 seems to apply with equal force to Coleoptera as to Lepidoptera, and I 

 would specially point out the Coccinellidce ; in this group we have three 

 very variable species, viz., Coccinella bipinicfafa, C. variabilis and C 

 hieroglyphica, all of which range in colouring, from pale brown or 

 reddish with black spots to deep black with or without a red shoulder 

 spot on each elytron. One other instance I would mention, and that is 

 in regard to Dromius quadri-maculatus and D. quadri-notatus ; while 

 collecting at Barnet this Christmas, I took a series of each of these 

 insects, and, in both of my series, the variation of the basal spots on the 

 elytra range from oblong ovate to nearly circular, with all the inter 

 mediate forms. Dronius quadri-signatus varies most probably in the 

 same manner, but I have only a single specimen of this insect. — H. 

 Heasler, Peckham. 



Is Miana fasciuncula a var. of M, strigilis ? — The ease (?) with 

 which the Armagh specimens oi Aliana {ante, p. 242) can be differen- 

 tiated may be readily estimated. They were exhibited twice at 

 the City of London Society, the members there agreeing with 

 me, and wisely refusing to commit themselves. At the South 

 London Society three different opinions were elicited, one member 

 deciding differently on successive evenings. Messrs. Porritt, Tugwell, 

 South, Ftnn, Atmore, A. Robinson, and several others disagree 

 as to how many specimens should be called sfrigi/is, and how many 

 fasciuncula, in a short series of nine specimens. Of course I agree 

 with the opinions of all, as the three or four dubious specimens, 

 I repeat, are equally well-named as either species. Yet many of 

 my friends are ready to suggest that I am wrong, and want tuition 

 in the art of separating them. Mr. South professes to distinguish them 

 by the dorsal tufts, yet some of the Armagh specimens which he 

 admiis fasciuncula are better tufted than a.ny strigilis ; and, as Mr. Fenn 



