1887.1 247 



These and similar facts are of very great interest, and should be carefully ob- 

 served and noted. Among other details worthy of attention are the proportional 

 development of " tails " at the anal angle of the hind-wings of Polyommatus Phloeas, 

 and the genns Thecla. It seems exceedingly probable that coincident with the 

 attainment of the most vigorous conditions under the sunny southern skies, these 

 appendages are prolonged. Thus we find Italian specimens of P. Phlosas (which in 

 England possesses only rudimentary tails) adorned with well-marked filaments of 

 this description. In tropical and sub-tropical countries some species of LyeanidcB 

 have them of prodigious length, and there seems some reason to think that these 

 adornments have been developed from tail-less ancestors, for in some cases the $ 

 alone is tailed. 



Certain of the genus Thecla are characterized in the (J by a peculiar scaleless 

 membranous patch at the extremity of the discoidal cellule of the fore-wing. This 

 peculiarity has suggested a subdivision of the genus. Occasionally, however, ex- 

 amples occur in which this mark is almost wholly absent. Such aberrations should 

 be looked for. There are numerous traits of variation noticeable among well-defined 

 species of other genera, the occurrence of which point to convergent lines of ancestry. 

 Take, for instance, the apical ocellus common to most of the Satt/ridcB. In E. Janira 

 we find a more or less double ocellus with a single pupil usually, but I possess ex- 

 amples, chiefly ? , in which this apical ocellus is bi-pupilled ; just like the species 

 I Tiihonus, Ida, and Pasipha'e, which otherwise are abundantly distinct ; the females, 

 I however, of the first two being closely approximate. I have also seen a $ Janira 



with two ante-marginal spots on the fore-wing, besides the ocellus at apex. 

 I The ErelicB constitute, on the European Continent, a most interesting group of 



! variable Satyrs. The true E. 'Ejnphron is said to be only found here in its degenerate 

 form (or is it rather the pristine type ?) Cassiope. It may be possible, however, that 

 examples of the type may also occur. It is noteworthy that very interesting phases 

 of oromorphic and pediomorphic variation are shown among this genus, the colour 

 and mai-kings being affected by altitude, and also in some cases the contour of the 

 wings ! Here, again, sexual divergences seem to suggest some indication as to the 

 genesis of species, the females of several species retaining a rounded contour of wing, 

 which, in one or two species, is common to both sexes occasionally at great elevations. 

 Of Ccenonympha likewise we have but two representatives in Great Britain, and the 

 larger of the two is notably variable. Its pale non-ocellated form seems to occur as 

 an aberration with the type in Scotland and elsewhere, but I do not know if it is 

 found alone, as a local variety, in any part of the United Kingdom. Between it and 

 the dark brown Yorkshire {Typhon with numerous and large ocelli there exists every 

 grade of pattern. In C. Arcanius, and in a less degree in one or two other species, 

 we find an exactly parallel variation to that of Typhon, in regard to the development 

 of the ocelli and band of under-side of hind-wings. 



The foregoing observations will serve to show that the British 

 eotomologist who collects varieties merely for the sake of their beauty 

 or unique character, is neglecting a branch of the subject which is of 

 extreme interest. 



A paper by Mr. Dobree, in the " Entomologist " of February, 



