Scptomber, 1895. 201 



blackish forms that the latter were supposed by the local Entomolo- 

 gists to be typical hiundularia, while they held the creamy-white form 

 to be typical crepuscuJaria, when arose in due time much controversy 

 at cross purposes. In time the melanic influence extended to the 

 March emergence, and now nearly all are alike dark ; the change 

 extending to both fore- and hind-wings. 



In some parts of Yorkshire the change does not seem to be quite so 

 complete ; the creamy-white form appears later, from April till July, 

 some of the specimens being more or less tinged with the brighter 

 light brown cjlouring, and a few dark grey or smoky-black, which 

 black specimens are said to be always the latest to appear in the 

 season. In Derbyshire those appearing in the beginning of April are 

 of various shades of grey, and dark grey approaching to blackish, but, 

 so far as I have observed, they have hardly assumed the smooth black 

 tone of colour, but are clouded and mottled with dark grey, and even 

 in some instances have one wing paler or darker than the rest, appa- 

 rently indicating a state of transition ; but the normal markings are, in 

 them, usually more or less obliterated, and they rarely show the white 

 subterminal line of the South Wales examples. I have seen recent 

 specimens of this last form taken by Capt. Robertson and Mr. Holland 

 near Swansea, and they agree in this respect with the earlier Neath 

 examples. The dark variation of this species does not seem as yet to 

 have very greatly extended its area in this country, but Professor 

 Meldola has met with it in the Isle of Man, and Mr, Chas. Watts in 

 Ireland. Abroad it is well known in mountainous districts. 



Ampeidasts betulakia. — Probably this was the next species to 

 exhibit melanic symptoms — certainly it has given them full and free 

 course. No record seems to have been ke])t of the first black speci- 

 men, though it is wonderful that so striking an aberration should pass 

 unnoticed. 



In the " Entomologist " for October, 1886, Mr. Joseph Chappell, 

 of Manchester, says : — '* In my early days the black variety was 

 almost unknown. I think Mr. Edleston purchased the first I heard 

 of. In the Manchester district the species has gradually altered in 

 colour from light to dark during the last forty years. The dark forms 

 now predominate." In 18G5 Mr. Edleston wrote in the same Maga- 

 zine, " some sixteen years ago the ' negro ' aberration of this species 

 was almost unknown." These statements place the origin of this 

 black variety witliin the period from 184G to 1850. Mr. Edleston 

 I'urtiu-r rciiiark.s (in 18G-j) : — " 1 placed some virgin females in my 



