NOTES, CAPTURES, ETC. 61 



there in not only capturing the imagines in plenty, but also in 

 breeding this variety in quantities, and afterwards sent them to 

 our most eminent entomologists, who all agreed with me in 

 thinking it a verj' interesting variety of E. nanata. After many 

 opportunities of observing it both in the larval and imago states, 

 I must record my strong opinion that it is nothing more nor less 

 than a variety of E. nanata. Mr. Gregson must have been 

 perfectly aware of all these facts ; and even allowing that it is a 

 distinct species, which I am sure it is not, unless he received 

 Mr. Curzon's permission to use his name, which I doubt, I think 

 entomologists will agree with me that he has shown somewhat 

 questionable taste in naming it after a gentleman who has 

 collected but one season in the far north." At p. 52, vol. xviii., 

 we find, from Mr. Gregson, the following quotation, and I must 

 ask for careful attention, as Mr. Gregson seems to think the 



argument unanswerable. The italics are mine "When 



looking over Mr. Curzon's captures here, he again called my 

 attention, as he had before done by letter, to the fact that hardly 

 two of his long series of E. curzoni were alike, and that very 

 often the two upper wings differed in pattern, &c. Now for 

 E. nanata, I do not know a more constant pug. I have only seen 

 three varieties of it; they are all in my cabinet, but only one of 

 them is a striking variety ; yet I have bred and looked carefully 

 over many thousands of bred and captured specimens for varieties." 

 Once more, so far so good. Now it is my custom, at the close of 

 each year, to recall old recollections by reading over ni}- books on 

 Natural History. While thus occupied, a day or two ago, I came 

 across the following under the heading " Observations on Eupi- 

 thecise, by Mr. Gregson." After a few remarks on linariata, 

 rectangularia, etc., comes nanata, the most variable !, the most 

 abundant, and perhaps the handsomest pug we have both in the 

 larva and jierfect state ! " [vide ' Intelligencer,' ^vol. iv., p. 184, 

 1859). Which of these statements are we to accept? In 1859, 

 " the most ' variable ' pug we have ; " in 1884, " I do not know a 

 more ' constant ' pug, having only three varieties out of many 

 thousands," &c. I have always, in common I believe with most 

 entomologists, considered the so-called curzoni as a northern 

 variety of nanata, but I am now entirel}' outside the entomolo- 

 gical world, and have scarcely any correspondents. I should, 

 therefore, feel obliged for the opinions of competent and 



