198 [August, 



allowing such a range of variation that it was difficult to determine where one 

 species ended and the other began ; also a gynandrous specimen of Saturnia carpini, 

 L., belonging to Dr. Mason, one side being male the other female. Mr. Edwards, a 

 specimen of the rare female of Morpho Cypris, from Bogota, with a male for com- 

 parison. Mr. Dennis, ova and young larvae of Leucophasia sinapis, L., and of LyccBna 

 Argiolus, L., under the microscope. Mr. Hall, two specimens of the rare var. 

 unicolor, Staud., o? Mamestra persicaricB, L., bred by a northern collector from a dark 

 specimen derived from suburban larva; ; also several specimens of a Eupithecia 

 from Mr. Machin's collection, which Members thought were E. mintttala, Gn., var. 

 Jcnautiata, Greg. Several Members who had larvae of Callhnorpha Hera, L., had 

 been only very partially successful in getting them through the severe frost. A long 

 discussion took place as to the felling of trees in Epping Forest. The consensus of 

 opinion was that no harm had been done, and that none was intended to be done. 

 Mr. Carrington and others thought that a periodical cutting of the undergrowth 

 would be of great advantage to entomologists, and instanced the method of cutting 

 Woods in Surrey and Kent. 



June 13th, 1895. — The President in the Chair. 



Mr. Frohawk exhibited a dark leaden-blue var. of Lycfena beJlargus, Rott., 

 taken at Weymouth in 1892. Mr. Perks, a Julus taken among bananas in Covent 

 Garden. Remarks were made by several Members on the season, and a few records 

 were made of the appearance of Colias Edusa 



June 21th, 1895.— The President in the Chair. 



Mr. Jager exhibited a bred series of Arctia lubricepeda, Esp., from radiata 

 parents ; among them were both var. radiata and ya,v.fasciata, as well as some almost 

 normal types. Mr. Turner, eggs of the lace-wing fly. Mr. Dennis, a larva of Catocala 

 nupta, L., a pupa of Lyccena Argiolus, L., and a pale specimen of Argynnis Selene, 

 Schiff. Mr. West (Greenwich), specimens of Cryptocephalus nitidulus, Gyll., C. 

 coryli, L., C. aureoltis, Suf., and Elater elongatulus, 01., all taken in Headley Lane 

 on June 3rd. — Heney J. Tuenee, Hon. Secretary. 



INCREASING MELANISM IN THE BRITISH GEOMETUIBM. 

 BY C. G. BABBETT, F.E.S. 



Of all the phases of colour-variation which occur with us none 

 is more interesting than that which within the last few years has come 

 more and more into notice — the tendency on the part of several 

 species of Qeometridcs to assume a black, smoky-black, or grey-black 

 hue, while at the same time losing almost all trace of their normal 

 markings. There are good reasons for believing it to be a somewhat 

 modern development of variation, and its quite recent extension to 

 fresh species has roused fresh attention to the subject, rendering it 

 desirable that the " History of the movement " should be written, or, 

 at any rate, the records, such as they are, brought together. There 



