( viii ) 



species in this country the British specimens were con- 

 siderably larger than the continental type, whereas at the 

 present day the specimens bred in confinement are much 

 below the average size of the continental specimens. 



Mr. Baly suggested that the development of the eggs 

 might be retarded so as to counteract this tendency to 

 diminution in size. 



Mr. W. White asked whether Abraxas grossnlariata had 

 been thought of as suitable for the proposed experiments 

 instead of Selenia illustraria. 



Mr. Porritt observed that he thought some species of 

 Ephyra — for instance, orbicularia or omicronaria — would be 

 the best to breed from for Mr. Gallon's purposes. 



Mr. Sydney Klein suggested a possible difficulty in the 

 measurement of the moths ; and he dwelt on the great 

 importance of keeping the larvas out of doors. 



Mr. Waterhouse thought the measurement of the wings 

 would be difficult unless some definite plan of measurements 

 to be followed with every specimen, were agreed upon. 



Mr. Dunning expressed an opinion that the proposed 

 experiments ought not to be left to any one individual, or be 

 confined to any one species. 



Mr. Bates said he had no practical experience in breeding 

 British moths, but he suggested that an amended memo- 

 randum, explaining exactly the data required by Mr. Galton, 

 should be printed and circulated amongst all the entomo- 

 logists in the United Kingdom, whether members of the 

 Society or not. 



Dr. Sharp remarked that he thought valuable results 

 would be obtained from a series of systematic observations 

 such as those proposed by Mr. Galton and Mr. Merrifield ; 

 but that if more than one observer were required it would 

 be necessary for the authors to publish a statement con- 

 taining full details as to the selection of moths, the preserva- 

 tion of specimens, and the mode of measurement to be 

 adopted. 



