172 tHE ENTOBIOLOGIST's RECORtJ. 



Tcp/tm.sia (evidently hhtortata) " is far more difficult to procure than 

 the pale one, being very local in this country." 



I am not a believer in the immutability of species, or the special 

 creation theory, but as firmly convinced as any of my readers that, 

 in descent with modification by means of natural selection, and the 

 consequent " survival of the fittest" theory, as propounded by Darwin 

 and Wallace, we have the correct interpretation of the means by 

 Avhich species are evolved. 



I am certainly of the opinion that 7'. crepmcularia is the species, 

 and that T. bistortata is a sub-species, or a species in the process of 

 development, but whether it will ever develop into a species, or be 

 finally supplanted in the keen struggle for existence by the more 

 widely distributed "-•' and much more plentiful *■* T. crepmcularia, is 

 another question. 



That the specimens received by Mr. Barrett in 1886, from Derby- 

 shire, were T. crcpim'xdaria, and not T. bistortata, as stated by Mr. 

 Barrett, I do not entertain the least doubt. The dates, April 12th and 

 April 21th, agree very well for those of the former. T. bistortata does 

 not occur in Derbyshire. 



That the double-brooded specimens of '/'. crcpusndaria (biioidiilaria) 

 referred to by Mr. Barrett, exist only in that gentleman's imagination, 

 and that Mr. Tutt is quite correct in stating that a second brood of 

 this species in nature is unknown, I am also firmly convinced. I 

 observe also that Mr. Barrett seems to be unaware of the existence of 

 April T. crepuscidaria [biundularia). 



[Since writing the above, Mr. R. Stafford, in a letter dated 

 November 26th, 1896, states that " both species are double-brooded here 

 (Pwcllengare)," and this gentleman has sent me specimens of the 

 second brood of 2\ crcpusrnlaria (biundularia) as well as its ab. 

 ddaiiirrcnsis. They are quite distinct from the second brood of 

 T. bistortata.] 



As I have no intention of allowing my interest in the Tcphrosia 

 question to flag, I should be glad to receive specimens, with dates and 

 exact localities, from North and Central Europe, North Asia, Japan, 

 North America, Shetlands, Orkneys, Hebrides, North Wales, 

 Scotland, Ireland, or the northern, eastern and midland counties of 

 England. I should also like information, together with specimens 

 and particulars of geographical distribution, temperature and elevation 

 of locality above sea-level, from any district not mentioned in my 

 paper. I particularly want to know Avhere the species have not 

 been noticed by collectors residing in the district. 



In conclusion, I wish to specially thank Messrs. Riding, Bacot, 

 Mason, Prout, Robertson and Kane, who have each rendered me 

 excellent service. To Messrs. Riding and Bacot I am specially 

 indebted, as, without their most valuable aid, my paper would have 

 lost much of its interest and scientific value. I must also thank most 

 heartily all those gentlemen Avho have contributed to my paper, for 

 their ready response to my many questions, and their evident wish to 

 help me by every means in their power. They have very materially 

 lightened my labours, and enabled me to place before you a great 



* Is this true, except for the British Islands? T. bistortata has a marvellous 

 range over the whole of the PalBearctic and Nearctic regions. The distribution of 

 T. crqniscularia is, so far as records go, much more restricted. — Ed. 



