14 THE entomologist's RECORD. 



here? Looking at Mr. Scudder's plates, I see, that what I consider 

 natural genera, as Co/ias, Argymiis, Limenitis, etc., have each their 

 own type of these organs. It is not to be supposed that they are cast 

 in moulds like so many iron pots ; and knowing that every other organ 

 varies, we have the right to believe that the genitalia vary also. How 

 much, is the question. In the plates the figures are not drawn to a 

 uniform scale, and the organs are differently exposed, probably drawn 

 as they had dried. Some seem to have shrunk in the drying, others 

 perhaps are done from green subjects, and are full and plump. But 

 taking them as they stand : on pi. 33 all these species of Limejiitis seem 

 to be essentially alike, and I apprehend that the variation between 

 them is no greater than would be found between individuals of each. 

 So the three Argynnids, ailanfis, cybele and aphrodite are essentially 

 alike. Grapta progne cannot be distinguished from G. comma, 

 though they belong to different sub-groups, while G. faiuiiis differs 

 conspicuously from comma, though these two belong to the 

 same sub-group, and can be but one remove from a common 

 ancestor. On pi. 35, the three Colias, interior, philodice and 

 eurytheme, are as like as three marrowfats. My friends, why 

 are things thus ? If the test is not infallible it is not to be trusted. If 

 it fails anywhere it may fail often. Now, on page 329, under the head 

 of Grapta i/iterrogationis, we read these words: — ' The two forms (of 

 this species, to wit, fabricii and 2i?}ihrosa) differ so greatly and so 

 constantly from each other, not only in the colouring but in the form 

 of the wings, afid even in the abdominal appendages (the genitalia), that 

 they have been considered distinct species I ' That is, if they had not, by 

 breeding from the egg, been proved to be one species by the evidence 

 of the genitalia, they would be considered as two ! It seems to me 

 this settles at once and for all the value of these organs as tests of 

 species. The study of them may amuse an idle hour, the drawings of 

 them are very pretty, but that they are of any value so far as concerns 

 closely related species does not appear. "^ — -J. W. Tutt. 



Sports in Venation. — Mr. A. B. Cordley in Entom. Neivs, vol. i., 

 p. 88, records two specimens of the Hymenopteron Nomada maculata, 

 Cress., which had only two submarginal cells, the first transverse cubital 

 nervure being obliterated in both anterior wings ; also a specimen of 

 Nomada imbricata in which the same peculiar modification occurs. 

 Mr. Cordley also records one specimen of a species of Colletes, 

 and one of a species of Andrena which have three submarginal 

 cells to one anterior wing, but only two to the other. Mr. E. T. 

 Cresson records a specimen of Nomada maailata with the first trans- 

 verse cubital nervure obliterated in one anterior wing, but not in both. 

 He also adds: — "Such 'sports 'are frequent among the saw-flies, but 

 rare among bees." — J. W. Tutt. June, 1890. 



Fecundation before or after Hybernation.— Each year, during 

 the months of September, October, and November, I find in a cave on 

 Mont Saleve, near Geneva, a beautiful geometer, Triphosa subaudiata, 

 Dup. It is known that this species hybernates, and reappears in April 

 and May of the following year, exactly like its congener T?-iphosa dubi- 

 tata. I have strong reasons for believing that copulation in these two 

 species takes place regularly only in spring, although I have not proved 

 the fact myself I think that it is so, not only because an analogy in 



