92 THK KNTOMOLOOIST's RECORD. 



shape of the latter is distinctly more elongate and parallel-sided, thp 

 le.^s and antonnsB a clear red instead of somewhat infuscate, and the 

 occipital spots much more distinct and of a brighter colour. These 

 differences do not, however, appear to me to be sufficient to justify 

 the assumption that our Dumfries insect may not after all be the 

 A. affinis of Thompson — in fact, careful examination of the males, 

 both of these and the Carlisle specimens, reveals the male 

 characteristics, which, I think, are undoubtedly specific, very 

 distinctly. The much shorter anterior tarsal claws, the "dens 

 validus et acutus " of the same claws mentioned by Thompson, and 

 more especially, a character to which my attention was first drawn by 

 Mr. H. J. Thouless, of Norwich — that is, the difference in the 

 stridulatory file. In A. a/pnis the teeth of this file are deeper, set 

 at wider intervals, and generally much more distinct ; the edge, also, 

 of the abdominal cavity Avhich bears these teeth is more abrupt, so 

 that the organ is probably a more effective instrument than it is in 

 A. lOKiiiicidan's. These, of course, are all male characteristics, but 

 quite sufficient to discriminate specifically between the two insects. 

 I must confess, however, that I find the females exceedingly difficult 

 to separate. I do not think the colour of the refiexed edge of the 

 elytra is at all constant in either species, and the shape of body and 

 colour of legs and antennae are certainly comparative and probably 

 variable. As regards the relative shape and size of the wings of the 

 metasternum, I can hardly detect much difference, certainly " not 

 enough," as Canon Fowler says, " to warrant their being placed in 

 two different genera, as is done by Thompson." The relationship 

 between the two species seems closely comparable wath that which 

 exists between A. fiitttatns, Payk., and A. bii/iittatKs, 01., which, 

 similarly, can only be separated with certainty by the male 

 characteristics. 



In conclusion, I would sum up the differences, as far as I have 

 been able to detect them, as follows : — 



Form more parallel, colour deeper black, legs and antenutc a dearer red, 

 occipital spotri more distinct. In male, anterior tarsal claws shorter, outer claw 

 armed with a very distinct larRO sharp tooth which extends to middle of claw, 

 teeth of stridulatorv file deeper and more distinct, edge of stridulatory cavity more 

 abrupt. ' ^ A.alhtiis. 



Form more oval, colour with a slight aeneous cast, legs and antennas more 

 infascate, occipital spots less distinct. In male, anterior tarsal claws larger, with 

 an inconspicuous tooth at base, teeth of stridulatory tile finer, closer together, and 

 less distinct, edge of stridulatory cavity rounded off'. ./. uniiiiicidaris. 



A. iiniiuiciilaris seems fairly widely distributed over Great Britain 

 and Ireland, but of the occurrence of A. affinis further south than 

 Cumberland more evidence is required. Both species probably belong 

 to the " Celtic " or northern group in our fauna. 



The egg=laying habits of Polyommatiis admetus var. ripartii, with 

 description of its ovum. 



By H. POWELL. 

 This butterfly was fairly abundant, though local, in the Entrevaux 

 district (Basses-Alpes) towards the end of July, 1903. Like nearly all 

 the other species, it was quite a fortnight behind the usual date of 

 appearance. In 1901 males were flying in the same locality as early 

 as June 29th. Its favourite habitat is a rather bare slope of ground 



