28 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 
the geographical distribution and development of both groups 
from these apparently primitive, or, at least, oldest-known types, 
presents an open field to entomologists who devote their time to 
the study of the subject. Perhaps I should add that the white 
spots on the primaries of cardui are opposed to this order of 
development in the Vanesse; but the ocreater absorption power 
of the ground colour of the species will explain this apparent 
anomaly. JI, however, have seen one specimen with one of the 
large spots near the cell pale yellow. 
Ashburton, N. Z., November 9, 1891. 
EVOLUTION OF INSECT COLOUBS. 
By F. H. Perry Coste, B.S8c., F.C.S., F.L.8. 
T am glad to learn from Mr. Cockerell’s remarks (Entom. 
xxiv. 278) that he now agrees with me as to the evolutionarv 
relations of red, yellow, white. Mr. Cockerell charges me with 
crediting him with a theory which he never adopted, viz., that 
the order was yellow, white, red; but he overlooks the fact that 
in attributing this theory to him I did so only very doubtfully, 
and marked my uncertainty as to his position by a query (Entom. 
xxiv. 209); and, furthermore, that in a footnote I stated that 
since writing the passage in the text, I had found in mv notes a 
reference to some remarks by Mr. Cockerell, from which I inferred 
that he did not advocate the yellow, white, red, order. Never- 
theless, it seemed desirable to retain the arguments as they 
stood, since even if Mr. Cockerell did not advocate the yellow, 
white, red, order of evolution, I could not know but that somebody 
else might; and, therefore, to make my own position logically 
secure, it was necessary to meet and dispose of any objections 
that might possibly—even if improbably—be made. 
As a matter of fact, the arguments in the concluding passages 
of my articles were formulated at an earlv stage of my experiments, 
when it appeared of vital importance to disprove the theory that 
yellow preceded white. I did not then know where Mr. Cockerell 
would put red; but only two suppositions seemed possible,— 
either that he would adopt the lineal order, yellow, white, red ; 
or the bifureate order, yellow-white and yellow-red. I gave a 
good deal of thought to the subject, and my reasoning was given 
in the concluding passages referred to. Originally it had been 
intended to state these arguments at an early stage in my articles, 
but for various reasons they were adjourned. By the time that my 
articles were nearly finished I had come to consider the dispute as 
of but minor importance, feeling that I had tolerably well demon- 
strated my own theory; but having twice promised to argue out 
the question with Mr. Cockerell, I felt in honour bound to fulfil 
