278 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 



district it is an exceedingly variable butterfly, even in any single locality 

 where it may be taken. I have not a long series, but perhaps my best 

 specimens were taken in North Kuapdale, Argyleshire. The majority 

 are of a dark tawny colour, though some are warmer in tone than 

 others. I have one large pale-ochroous specimen which, though 

 having the rudimentary eye- spot on the upper wing, has another, 

 equally large and almost as distinctly marked, just below the median 

 nervure, and ocellated on the under side ; there are on the under side 

 of lower wing seven distinct eye-spots, three being ocellated ; the bar 

 on this specimen is uninterrupted. Another very dark specimen, 

 perhaps owing to its being smaller than usual, the under side of which, 

 instead of being dusted with silvery grey, is of a rich brown dusted 

 with green, though grey at the base ; this specimen has six very large 

 and prominent eye-spots on the under side of lower wing, all of which 

 are ocellated, and another black spot joined to the spot at the inner 

 margin ; there are also two light markings on the under side of upper 

 wing below the median nervure ; the bar on this insect is decidedly 

 broken. Another intermediate form has the rudimentary eye-spots 

 entirely obliterated on the upper side of all the wings, and but the 

 slightest indication of a spot on the under side of each ; the bar is 

 slightly broken. It would, however, take too much space to describe 

 many specimens ; they vary in colour, number of spots, and the bar 

 on under wing is sometimes uninterrupted, though oftenest broken. — 

 A. Adie Dalglish. 



The Senses of Insects. — From practical observation I have cer- 

 tainly been under the impression that so^ne Lepidoptera do possess the 

 power of hearing independent of the sense of touch, serving them as 

 a warning and protection. As instances I will cite firstly, Boarmia 

 repandata. Frequently, when walking in woods searching for Lepi- 

 doptera at rest on the trunks of trees, this insect has started off some 

 distance away, long before it was visible at rest ; and I have known it, 

 after re-settling, it may be, on the reverse side of a tree out of sight, start 

 off before I could reach it. Hypsipetes elutata (sordidata) has frequently 

 appeared to me to do the same ; and in the case of Cidaria truncata I have 

 frequently exclaimed, " That insect must have heard me." It is well 

 known how much more acute the powers of vision are in some Lepi- 

 doptera, apparently, than others. Tephrosia crepuscularia is easily boxed 

 at rest ; T. punctularia I have not found so at all times. Some of the 

 Eupithecia start off before you can touch them, or whatever they may 

 be resting on ; and other instances could be named showing that they, 

 if at rest, have one eye open. Why then may not some have auditory 

 powers more acute or sensitive than others ? In the case of striking 

 the trunks of trees the concussion or vibration would doubtless be the 

 cause of disturbing the insects referred to ; but their frequently taking 

 flight when apparently no disturbing sound has been made by con- 

 cussion appears to show the possession of another sense. It is well 

 known how different species of Lepidoptera differ in their habits 

 adopted for protection, some relying on very acute vision, others on 

 their resemblance to their surroundings. May not some species, then, 

 be able to detect sound apart from sensitiveness to concussion or vibra- 

 tion ?— T. B. Jeffeeys ; Bath, Sept. 19th, 1895, 



