xlix 



botanist of renown, and I believe the botanical portion was religiously 

 respected by him. Not so the entomological. Sir J. E. Smith had himself 

 a collection of insects (mostly British), and these were added. Furthermore, 

 there is evidence that the labels on the insects, even if in what is 

 believed to be Linne's own handwriting, are not to be relied upon, and 

 there is strong reason for supposing that Sir J. E. Smith (or possibly some 

 early officer of the Linnean Society) apphed certain labels to better 

 examples of what were supposed to be the same species, destroying the 

 (probably mutilated) originals. Such a supposition is warranted in the case 

 of some specimens in the groups in which I am especially interested. 



" Of the history of the early years of its actual possession by the 

 Linnean Society little, I think, is known. As to its later history, I can 

 confidently affirm that it has been most carefully attended to. Its scientific 

 value (I speak now, as always, only of the insects) is quite another matter. 

 The amount of evident tampering is so great as to induce me to think 

 it might be an absolute benefit to science if it were destroyed, so great 

 is the danger that students, not thoroughly acquainted with its history, 

 take for granted that the fact of a label in Linne's handwriting attached to 

 a particular specimen entitles that specimen to be considered a ' type.' It 

 can enly be so regarded if the original description and collateral circum- 

 stances favour such an idea, and any value the collection may now possess 

 can only remain if it be studied in conjunction with Linne's own annotated 

 copies of his works, and those of other authors in his Library, in the 

 possession of the Linnean Society. 



'•In conclusion, it appears to me that the more generous course for 

 Mr. Smith to have pursued would have been to postpone action until some 

 other members of this Society were present capable of appreciating the 

 subject, or in the first instance to have communicated privately with the 

 Librarian, or some member of the Library Committee of the Linnean 

 Society which is responsible for the welfare of the collection." 



Mr. Stainton stated that he could fully endorse the conclusions which 

 had been arrived at by Mr. M'Lachlan, as he had examined the collection 

 on the previous day, and had not been able to detect any appreciable 

 deterioration in it since the year 1848, when he first had occasion to 

 consult it. Mr. Stainton further remarked that if Mr. Smith's examination 

 had led him to an opposite conclusion he had undoubtedly adopted the 

 proper course in bringing the matter under the notice of the officials of the 

 Linnean Society. 



Exhibitions, dc. 



Mr. Jenner Weir exhibited specimens of Hipparchia Semele from the 

 New Forest, Lewes, the Rigi, and Russia, showing a tendency to vary in 



H 



