202 THE entomologist's record. 



about this form of variation, one feels justified in applying the name 

 to the much more unusual aberration, in which the pale transverse 

 lines are absent on all the wings. It is a curious point, to call to 

 mind, that, in Linne's first description of the insect, he mentions no 

 lines at all [Fauna Suecica, ed. 1 (1746)]. I exhibit the best 

 specimen of this aberration which I have been able to find, bred last 

 year by Mr. L. W. Newman of Bexley, to whom I must express my 

 thanks for his kindness in placing at my disposal his large stock of 

 the insect. 



4. Ab. ctmeata, n.ab. — I now come to a form, which 1 had never 

 met Avith, until the fine bred specimen before you was sent to me by 

 Mr. Herbert Massey. This would be merely typical were it not for 

 the development of a large white triangular or wedge-shaped spot on 

 the basal side of, and in contact with, the lunule on the forewing. I 

 have heard of several more in the possession of other collectors. Mr. 

 Massey's is, however, still the finest I have so far seen. I would point 

 out that the spot is not, and, indeed, cannot be, the effect of mere 

 bleaching. The specimen is quite fresh, the spots are definite and 

 symmetrical, and occur in other individuals of this species. 



5. Ab. svbcaendescens, n.ab. — I am quite prepared to meet with 

 criticism as to the aberration which I mention next. A few specimens 

 picked from many more, seem to me, to be distinctly blue-green, or 

 shall 1 say bluer-green than the bulk of the specimens, for I have 

 been told that the colour of (t. pajyilumavia is always blue-green. I 

 confess that the tint is not, so very striking, and that I myself cannot 

 always see it. But the specimens in which it occurs are fresh, and, in 

 fact, generally in the finest possible condition. I have also been told 

 that the colour is the result of fading, or of the method by which the 

 insect has been killed. I should be deeply obliged to anyone who 

 would let me know of a specimen which had been turned blue by any 

 process of killing, or of preservation. G. jiapilionaria fades to yellow, 

 or dirty white. Seven interesting specimens are to be seen in the 

 Natural History Museum which have been ruined by resetting, the 

 damp having discharged all the green and left them quite yellow. 

 Few people use cyanide or ammonia for killing green insects, but I 

 believe I am right in saying that neither of these poisons injures this 

 species, if judiciously applied, although, if the action be continued 

 too long, the colour will be changed to yellow. I have submitted dry 

 specimens to the action of ammonia for an hour without any trace of 

 effect. I cannot recall the action of the laurel-jar of bye-gone days, 

 but am sure I should, if it changed green moths to blue. The only 

 true blue specimen of G. papilioitai ia which I have come across, is 

 the fourth in the series of the Linnean collection, to which I have 

 referred above, and I should much like to know, whether it was born 

 so, or if not, whether the colour is the result of old age, or of the 

 disease of which it died. I am myself so satisfied that some specimens 

 are more blue than others, that I venture to include this form amongst 

 those worth looking for. But, after all, colour is largely a matter of 

 individual judgment, iuul amongst the most dangerous questions to 

 raise in company. 



6. Ab. siibobsoleta, n.ab. — Another somewhat unusual form is 

 that in which both basal and subterminal lines are absent on the fore- 

 wing, and the subterminal on the hindwing, leaving only the second 



