494 



INSECTS AT HOME. 



suggested by Mr. Stephens, namely Marrjaritia, from the Greek 

 word ]Margarites, which signifies a pearl. By the way, it is 

 evident that brunettes should never be named Margaret, the 

 name being as inappropriate as Blanche or Lily. 



The name, however, has been reluctantly rejected by ento- 

 mologists, because the name of Botys, given to these Moths by 

 Latreille, has the priority, and entomologists are obliged to be 



1. Hydrocampa atagnalis. 



4. Stenopteryx hybridali- 



2. Botys nrticalis. 

 a, Eotys, lai-va. 



3. Spilodes cinctalis. 

 b. Spilodes, larva. 



as jealous of priority as are officers of seniority. It does not 

 matter who invents a name, or how appropriate — or the con- 

 trary — it may be. That name which is first published has the 

 priority, and that name will be accepted ever afterwards. 

 There is only one chance of deposing an old and inappropriate 

 name in favour of a newer and better, namely, to prove that 

 the old name has clearly been anticipated in some branch of 

 zoology. If such anticipation can be shown beyond contra- 



