SOME VARIETIKS OF NOCTU^ FKOJI DONCASTER. 251 



much more interesting than is the collection of extraordinary aberrations 

 (in many cases the result of artificial selection), which are of no use in 

 determining the amount of variability, nor the local range of varieties, 

 in any species. I do not mean that such inbred artificial varieties are 

 of no scientific value. They are of use in showing how much more 

 rapid is the variation of species under artificial than under natural 

 selection ; and that by artificial means, races may be developed, that 

 in nature would probably never exist. But I maintain that as an aid 

 to the nafnral history of a country, they are out of place. The Kotherham 

 and Barnsley Ermines are of interest as showing what may be made 

 out of Sj>ilosoin(i lahriclpeda, just as fantails, pouters, &c., are interesting 

 as showing what may be made out of the rock dove. True, S. zatima or 

 S. radiata may exist as a foreign variety in a state of nature, but this 

 does not make Yorkshire radiata a natural part of the lepidopterous 

 fauna of Yorkshire. Before describing my varieties, I should like to 

 say a few words concerning varietal names. Until very lately I had a 

 great objection to the introduction of an alarming number of new 

 names ; such I looked upon as an unnecessary excrescence on our already 

 too confusing nomenclature. Since, however, I have studied Tutt's 

 British Nocttue and their Varieties, my opinion has undergone a com- 

 })lete change, and I am now one of those who prefer to use a short 

 varietal name, rather than an unwieldly verbal description. For example, 

 it is much simpler to write and much easier to understand Orrhodia vaccinii 

 var. mixta, than " the variety of 0. vaccinii cliai'acterised by a dark 

 ground colour, and pale margins to the stigmata, pale nervures, dark 

 transverse lines, and with an ochreous band near the hind margin." 

 Against this it may be urged that among jjolymorphic species there 

 will be no end to varietal names, and that instead of simplification, we 

 only get confusion more confounded. But this is not the case, because, 

 if we have distinctive names for several well-marked varieties, inter- 

 mediate forms may be distinguished by means of hyjihened varietal 

 names of such forms as the intermediates most nearly apju'oach. 



The varieties occurring at Doncaster confirm the opinion expressed 

 by me in an essay, read before your society some time ago, that in that 

 locality, while we are in some measure under the influence of the West 

 Riding melanic area, yet there is a decidedly southern tendency in our 

 insect fauna as regards si)ecies ; but as regards varieties, the general 

 tendency is towards boreal forms. 



The first species tliat I would draw your attention to is Asphalia 

 Jlavicornis. I have six specimens in my box. The 1st, 2nd and 5th, 

 are the ordinary North of England form, and represent the Linnjean 

 type : — " Upper wings grey, with three black strig;>3." In the 5th 

 specimen the stigmata are very curiously formed. The 4th is almost 

 the southern form (galhaniis, Tutt), the indistinct stigmata and pale 

 transverse lines beLjuging to that form, but the ground colour not being 

 (|uite light nor green enough. The Gth is intermediate between the 

 4th and the t3'-pe ; while the 3rd is a very beautiful and, I believe, un- 

 common form, with tlie ground-colour paler tlian in the type, and the 

 transverse lines very strongly marked. This is tlie only specimen of 

 this variety that I have seen. The type is by far the most common form 

 at Doncaster, tlie (jalli<nuis-\'\ki:' specimens being very scarce. 



Asphalia diluta. — This species is very abundant at sugar, and, for a 

 generally constant species, varies considerably, but I have not met with 



