IS VANESSA POLYCHLOROS THE PROTOTYPE OF V. URTIC-E ? 171 



3. If it hapiDen to be a hybrid* between the two species, it 

 offers an instance of the fact which has been proved by Darwin 

 and others, that in the case of hybrids between closely-alHed 

 forms the progeny, instead of assuming direct intermediate 

 characters, inherits the characters of one or other of its parents ; 

 and that in numerical proportions varying with the circumstances. 

 As my specimen is the only known individual of the swarm the 

 theory is rather a lame one. 



4. Lastly, on the understanding that the specimen is the 

 development of an Uriicce larva, we must conclude that it is 

 a case of recurrence to a previous form, and, if so, tltat form was 

 Polychloros ; that, while PohjcJtloros has not changed, the change 

 of habitat and environment has brought about the marked variety 

 which now constitutes a separate species in Urticce. In favour of 

 this supposition I may instance the well-known fact that V. Urticce,^ 

 like V. C-Alhuni and P. Cardui, varies occasionally in colour, 

 markings, and size, whilst Polychloros is much more persistent — 

 indeed almost invariable — in type, though irregular in point of 

 size. The latter variability, however, is common to all classes 

 of animals at any given period. 



This persistency of type argues an antiquity beyond that of 

 its allies, and makes it appear highly probable that V. Polychloros 

 is the ancestral prototype of V. Urticce. 



[In connection with Mr. White's paper, it may be interesting 

 to quote the following record of a similar experience given in the 

 'Entomologist,' vi. 88 : — " In the spring of last year I took the 

 larvaB of what I considered to be V. UrticcB feeding on nettles, 

 and from time to time added other larvae of Urticce in the same 

 breeding-cage kept for nettle-feeders only; to my surprise a 

 number of the imagos lesemhled Polychloros in colour and 

 markings, keeping the size of Urticce. I submit them to you for 

 your remarks. There was no apparent difference in the larvae 

 that I observed while feeding. — James A. Tawell ; Earl's Colne, 

 March 11th, 1872." The late Mr. Newman headed this note 

 " Poh/cldoroshsivyse feeding on Nettle," and described the butter- 



* [The Rev. G. H. Eaynor records ('Entomologist,' vi. 221) finding a specimen 

 of V. Urticce in coitu witli V. Polychloros. — Ed. Tiuns.J 



t Newman, in bis 'British Butterflies,' gives woodcuts of four aberrations of 

 Urtica, but not one of Polychloros ; nor does he instance an_\' variation in the latter 

 species. 



