October. 18it5. 1 225 



ADDITIONAL NOTES ON INCREASING MELANISM IN BRITISH 



OEOMETRIDJi. 



BY THE LATK W. H. TUGWELL. 



In the London district Ennomos angulauia frequently occurs 

 very dark indeed, not black, but of an unicolorous sooty-brown, a 

 very striking variation from the ordinary type. This form was I 

 believe first found in Hyde Park. 



Ntssia hispidaeia. — This species shows a most decided tendency 

 to become melanic. In 1888 I bred a long series from Richmond Park 

 parents, and fully fifty per cent, were of a decided melanic type, both 

 males and females ; fully as dark as any of the Yorkshire P.piJosaria, 

 in fact, about the same tone of colour as this species from Shipley, 

 spoken of as black, the colour being sooty. 



Hemeeophila abeuptaeia. — This species in the London district 

 is occasionally found quite black. 



BoAEMiA ABiETAEiA. — Amongst the dark yew trees on Boxhill 

 and Mickleham Downs, where this species is fairly common, the dark 

 and black type is quite the form of the district, in fact, you rarely 

 breed but this melanic type. The red coloured specimens are rarely 

 or never seen there now. These black insects are extremely delicate, 

 the slightest rub denudes their scales and spoils the beauty of the 

 specimens for the cabinet. 



Tepheosia punctulata. — I possess a melanic specimen of this 

 species, given me by the late Mr. Thomas, of Eotherham, Yorkshire. 



Yenusia cambbica. — I possess three fine specimens of the 

 melanic form of this insect ; they were taken at Eotherham, York- 

 shire, and presented to me by the late Mr. Chas. Thomas, of Eastwood 

 Vale. Evidently this form is very rare, as Mr. Porritt tells me he has 

 not been able to obtain it as yet in Yorkshire, so 1 may congratulate 

 myself on possessing three quite perfect examples. 



Htbebnia leucopheaeia. — Of this most variable species, so 

 common in Eichmond Park, perfectly black specimens are to be ob- 

 tained not unfrequeutly. They occur of every possible shade, from 

 the deepest black and all tones down to pale grey. The black and 

 white banded form is much more striking in appearance, and more 

 readily detected on the dark bark of the old oak trees, and so perchance 

 the quite black form the more often escapes detection, as it is easily 

 overlooked. 



IStee:sia cLATiiuATA. — This pretty species, which in the type is 



T 



