SCIENTIFIC NOTES. 275 



me of an earthworm severely contracted. On close inspection they 

 were seen to be segmented, one end of the segment was prominently 

 rounded, sloping suddenly to the other end which entered the rounded 

 end of the one next it. Here also, as far as I could see, the term 

 "folded" is not appropriate. The condition of the costal edge of the 

 winglet was now clearly displayed, but very difficult to describe. If a 

 piece of stiff twine is laid on the table, doubled back and forth in as 

 short bends as it is possible to give it, held in place and viewed from 

 above, it gives a good idea of the appearance of the front of the winglet 

 viewed edgeways ; cut the bends on the side representing the centre of 

 the wing, and it forms a strong resemblance to the upper surface of its 

 costal edge. Crimped or crimpled would be a suitable term to express 

 the condition. These views were obtained, and could only be obtained 

 when the winglet was saturated with moisture. 



Kirby and Spence seem to have made their description from observ- 

 ations on butterflies. From what we know of insects, we should be 

 warranted in expecting as much diversity in this as in other departments 

 of their history. 



This is but a meagre outline of views obtained, and thoughts sug- 

 gested, by an intensely interesting series of observations, made in a 

 direction that offers an almost unlimited field for investigation. — J. 

 Alston Moffat, Curator of the Entomological Society of Ontario. 



Protective colour variation of Dianthcecia conspersa. — I 

 bred a variety of D. conspersa last year from larvse obtained in Cornwall. 

 The white is entirely replaced by buff, with a slight greenish tinge (the 

 latter especially noticeable on emergence) in two of the specimens bred, 

 and in four others there is transition in all degrees, but with predomin- 

 ance of the buff, from the type to the variety. The hills in the district 

 are metamorphic, varying in colour from slaty-grey to blackish, and 

 they are covered with lichen, especially the yellow lichen. Query — Is 

 this a protective variation ? It seems possible if not probable, as the 

 larvse were taken from Siieiie inflata and ^. niaritima near the coast. — 

 W. S. Riding, Buckerell Lodge, Honiton, Devonshire. Oct. ^th, 1891. 



Generic position of Polyommatus bcetica. — At a meeting of the 

 City of London Entomological and Natural History Society, held on 

 June 1 8th, the proceedings of which were given in the Etit. Rec.,\o\. ii., 

 p. 119, the position of that ubiquitous butterfly which is there called 

 Lyccena bcefica was brought forward, a letter from Mr. Culpin, from 

 Brisbane, having been read advocating its exclusion from the genus 

 LyccR)ia. It would seem as if the idea had then been thought new. 

 But it is included, or perhaps, I ought to say, replaced in the genus 

 Polyommatus under the name P. bcettcus, by Mr. de Niceville in his 

 Butterflies of India, Burmah and Ceylon., vol. iii., published last year. 



Mr.de Niceville is undoubtedly entitled to be considered an authority 

 on Indian butterflies, and he has given the subject of the classification 

 of the family of the Lyccenidce that occur in India very careful attention. 

 He has recorded, in the work above referred to, his reasons very fully. — 

 C. A. Bird, Rosedale, 162, Bailing Road, Hammersmith, W. 

 October 24//!, 1891. 



The generic position of Dianth^cia barrettii. — I wholly dis- 

 sent from Mr. Buckler in assigning this species a place in the 

 genus Luperina. Mr. Tutt says {in litt.) that ''however necessary a 



