MR. JAMES WM. BOULT. 243 



tion at the hands of Boult, particularly in the case of 

 Amphydasis betularia. He informs us that this species, taken 

 near Hull thirty years ago, would be light coloured (the type) 

 to dark in the ratio of eleven to one. Now the case is exactly 

 reversed, the darker varieties being in the ascendant. This 

 modification is probably due to the growth and extension of 

 the city which has encroached upon the habitats of betularia. 

 At all events, it has its bearing upon certain problems which 

 the evolutionist knows well to appreciate. 



The foregoing suggests to the writer's mind some of the 

 sorrows of the true naturalist, ever jealous of the extinction 

 of native species. Boult has his lament to make in this 

 respect, and has furnished us with a big list of species that 

 are now partially or entirely extinct in the Hull district. On 

 this point he has a whole stack of information which lack of 

 space prevents inclusion here. 



As evidence of what the amateur and local worker may 

 do for science generally, it may be remarked that in several 

 instances where only one food-plant of insects was mentioned 

 in Newman's book and other of the early manuals, Mr. Boult 

 has practically demonstrated that there are several plants 

 upon which certain species are now known to be in the habit 

 of feeding. 



The unbounded energy and assiduity of purpose manifested 

 by our subject in the above outlined directions during the 

 past twelve years has resulted in the production of the third 

 and finest collection that he has yet made. It embraces almost 

 everything lepidopteral that is to be found locally, together 

 with an almost exhaustive representation of British moths 

 and butterflies. Not merely is the perfect insect (imago) 

 included, but also the eggs, larvae, chrysalides, &c. Any one 

 privileged to inspect the collection — and a slight wish to see 

 it is at once responded to — cannot but be struck with the 

 immense amount of work it must have entailed. 



There is no secret, however, as to its accomplishment, 

 although holidays, as ordinarily understood, have not figured 

 much in the stonemason's life — perhaps a fortnight in twenty- 

 five years. But evenings, Saturday afternoons, and Bank 

 Holidays (Sundays invariably excluded), have been his sole 

 times of operation, but as previously stated few of these have 

 been neglected. 



After the hard day's work with mallet and trowel and 

 much heavy lifting, relaxation has been sought, feeding or 

 preserving caterpillars, and setting or mounting the perfect 

 insects, work which, perhaps, too often has robbed the 



