190 THE EXTOMOLOtrlST's RECORD. 



dimorphism and mimicry, at any rate, at lirst, is in the field, and our 

 contention is amply justified by Mr. Marshall's clear and trenchant 

 criticism. What a lot of time, trouble, and paper would have been 

 saved had Mr. Marshall written us the facts of the life-habits before the 

 supposed mimicry of the species had been dealt with, rather than have 

 had the suppositious side of their mimicry written up first, and the 

 facts of their life-habits so much later! It is advisable to keep well in 

 mind the critical, although oti'hand, statement made by one of our 

 fellows after a lengthy discourse on the "seasonal dimorphism" of 

 some Central American Callidryads — " Ah, yes, if they are the ex- 

 amples in the ' X ' Museum, I think I took them congregated round 

 the same puddles on the same day." One wondered then, and still 

 wonders, how far merely museum theories are ever right. 



An excellent piece of literary work has just been published by 

 Professor C. H. Fernald, on " The Genera of the Torttkhlae and their 

 types " (obtainable from Carpenter and Morehouse, Amherst, Mass., 

 U.S.A.). The references appear to be quite trustworthy, although 

 some of the conclusions may be open to question. The future worker 

 will not be likely, however, to sink so many genera as the learned 

 Professor appears to think desirable, but this is quite apart from the 

 excellence of his work, which is so arranged, that workers can get at 

 the facts without being at all prejudiced by opinions. Every systematist 

 should see this booklet (pp. 1-68). 



It may be advisable to state that, owing to alterations in the system 

 of heating, the Insect Rooms at the British Museum, South Kensing- 

 ton, will be closed from July 1st to the end of September. 



The Societe lepidopterologique de Geneve continues its successful 

 career, and the third fascicule of its Bulletin, under the editorship of 

 Professor C. Blachier, maintains well the reputation of its predecessors. 

 It is full of excellent things, and illustrated by two plates of newly- 

 named aberrations of butterflies. Besides "The Presidential Address," 

 by Mr. A. Pictet, there are — (1) The Proceedings of the monthly 

 meetings. (2) List of Members. (8) "Varieties and aberrations of 

 Erebia ttjndarus," by Dr. Reverdin. (4) "On the fertility of the 

 second broods of European Sphingids," by Dr. Denso. (5) " The genus 

 f.eptidia,'' by J. Culot. (6) " The lepidopterological fauna of the 

 pierriers of the Alps in 1907," by P. A. H. Muschamp, F.E.S. 

 (7) "List of lepidoptera captured in the Valais m July, 1907," by M. 

 Rehfous. (8) "Aberrations of lepidoptera," by M. Rehfous. (9) "New 

 aberrations," by P. A. H. Muschamp, F.E.S. (10) "Description of 

 varieties and aberrations of lepidoptera," by J. Culot. Dr. Reverdin's is 

 a particularly good piece of work, and Dr. Denso's is suggestive, 

 though several facts, published in our Natural Historii of British 

 Lepidoptera, vols. iii. and iv., bearing on the subject would have helped 

 to have developed his suggestions regarding some of the species. We 

 are pleased to see Mr. A. Pictet re-elected president, whilst the Society 

 honours itself in honouring Mr. P. A. H. Muschamp, who must be 

 looked upon as the founder of ihe Society, and his title, " Membra 

 fondateur honoraire," is well-deserved. Students of European lepi- 

 doptera will find the Bulletin full of interest, whilst most of the papers 

 will appeal strongly even to those who merely study British species. 

 We wish our Geneva friends and fellow-members every success. 



It is with the greatest regret that we have to record the death of 



