NOTES, CAPTUKKS, KTC. 235 



jiidus-aris, &c., are almosl destilule of chlorophyll, although 

 it exists in a passive condition in many of these plants. 

 Attention to this interesting subject must yield many 

 important discoveries; and to none could the study be more 

 suitable than the readers of the ' Entomologist.' — G. C. 

 Dbdce ; Northampton Natural History Society. 



Additions to the Doubleday Collection. — The notice 

 in the exchange list of the September number of the ' Ento- 

 mologist,' that fresh specimens of no less than 238 species of 

 Lepidoptera are required for the "Doubleday Collection" at 

 the Bethnal Green Museum, must surely be a matter of 

 surprise and regret for the majority of entomologists. In this 

 regret I fully share, but I must confess that I am not surprised. 

 Soon after the Collection was received at Bethnal Green, and 

 before the public were admitted to see it, 1 went through it, 

 and called the attention of the authorities of the Science and 

 Art Department, at South Kensington, to the fact that many 

 specimens were in imminent danger of destruction by mites, 

 and offered, as a labour of love, to endeavour to check this 

 threatened destruction. In consequence of my letter 1 was 

 asked to meet Mr. Matchvvick (under whose control, I 

 believe, are the natural-history collections) and the late Mr. 

 Andrew Murray. It was then decided that, previous to 

 moving infected specimens, a catalogue should be made, and 

 that then the mites should be attacked. The making of this 

 catalogue I superintended, and I understood Mr. Murray 

 would then eradicate the mites. Immediately after the 

 demise of Mr. Murray 1 heard that the destruction of the 

 specimens was progressing, and I again wrote to the 

 authorities at South Kensington Museum offering my 

 services. My letter was acknowledged, and an answer pro- 

 mised, — which, by the bye, I have never received. The mites 

 in the interval have, 1 presume, had it all their own way, 

 otherwise a request would not now be made for 238 species. 

 I am afraid that the want of care, — I can call it nothing 

 else, — which has permitted this loss of Lepidoptera, will not 

 encourage entomologists to come forward to jeopardise 

 further specimens; besides the Collection will be the 

 "Doubleday" Collection but in name, if it is to be formed 

 of specimens with which Mr. Doubleday had nothing to do. 

 The proposal revives the story of Jack's knife; and of the 

 celebrated old uuisket, of which nothing remained but the 

 touch-hole. I notice the appeal is made " out of respect for 

 the memory of the Founder." Out of such respect 1 made 

 my offer ol' free service. Surely respect would have been 



