158 THE entomologist's RECORD. 



notice, sinking into synonymy a name one had well earned by a careful 

 study of that same race, has turned most entomologists against this 

 author, and it has put in a wrong light a line of research, which in 

 itself is excellent and most promising. I must add, however, that 

 Friihstorfer admitted I was right, when I made these remarks to him 

 daring a call I paid him in Geneva, and that lately he has published 

 some monographs, with a summary of his works on some Kicbiae and 

 Melitaeae, which is just what is needed. 



Another line of research has been opened by Chapman and 

 Reverdin, with the study of the <iemtaUa, which has already yielded 

 most important results by revealing the existence of unsuspected 

 species, even in regions and in groups of Lepidoptera, which were 

 thought to have been thoroughly worked out. It is now becoming 

 clear, however, that the results of this method of establishing and 

 distinguishing species have been at first overrated and that one cannot 

 rely on it as a touch-stone to cut short any debated question. These 

 organs have been shown to vary both individually and geographically, 

 within the limits of some species, just as much as any other 

 characteristic, and that in many cases conclusions can only be drawn 

 by comparing the averages. Sometimes they have directed the 

 attention of entomologists to the existence of other specific features, 

 which had escaped their notice, but there have been cases in which 

 the f/enitalia appeared quite alike when there existed evidences of other 

 sorts that two species were before one, and I believe one will often 

 meet with the opposite case of different looking timitalia in the various 

 races of a single species ; for instance, I cannot believe that Z. ronieo, 

 Dup., is a distinct species from Zyfiaena scahiosae, Schifl'., as sug- 

 gested by Burgiefl', or that the Italian transalpina, Esp., includes 

 three or four species, as maintained by Rothschild and Jordan ; the 

 differences they have detected can, I think, be explained by the general 

 structure of these races, some of which have slender al)domens and 

 others stouter ones ; this would naturally modify also the aspect of 

 the last abdominal segments. It is all a question of establishing 

 what differences are specific in the various genera before drawing con- 

 clusions in particular cases. Notwithstanding these difficulties, the 

 method, when properly and judiciouslj' handled, will certainly yield 

 most important data. This brief review of the developments of the 

 study of variation in the Lepidoptera is, I think, sufficient to show 

 how necessary it is to make a new start in the form of local lists and 

 to work up again even the regions which were thought to be tolerably 

 well known. In connection with Italy this has of late been begun 

 partially by several authors, besides ourselves, and, as far as Peninsular 

 Italy is concerned, it seems as if we had reached a fairly complete 

 knowledge already. 



{To he continued,) 



Notes on Entomology in France and Italy, July=August, 1921. 



By Lt. E. B. ASHBY, F.E.S., Memh. Soe. ent. de France. 



Leaving London on Friday, July 22nd, 1 reached Melun the 

 following morning {ria Paris), and walked from there to Barbizon in 

 the Forest of Fontainebleau. 



The Forest was very dried up through the long continuance of 



