BT THOMAS P. LUCAS, M.R.C.S.E., ETC. 69^ 



equally dazzled with the brilliancy of her more favoured consort. 

 The polymorphism of the female image is difficult of explanation. 

 The Diadema Bolinda has been named some twenty-four time& 

 in consequence of the variableness of the females. Such varia- 

 tion is doubtless influenced by the damp or dryness more than 

 by the temperature. It may also be that these females are thus 

 enabled to frequent a larger number of species of trees or shrubs 

 or flowers in the search of food, &c. ; but whatever the cause, it 

 had been foreseen, and each pupa automatously prepared for its 

 position and duties. 



Poulton tells us that he is convinced that the caterpillar is 

 influenced in its nerve economy by its surroundings to definite 

 instinctive actions. True ; but surely no one in their senses 

 would say that the caterpillar looked wisely into the future and 

 itself provided against a state of being of which it had never had 

 any experience. Light and shade, food, heat and cold all 

 influence the individual in its automatous helplessness, but what 

 laws determine its sex and its colouration type in all its stages 

 is even beyond man's ken. Is the caterpillar wiser than man ? 



In the variations, and in the near assimilations of species,^ 

 and even in the mimicries of nature, every species, male and 

 female, knows its own mate. And in polymorphisms the variations 

 go on from season to season in the play of the species, never 

 changing to a new creature, unrecognizing and unrecognizable 

 by its fellows. Antherasa Janetta is a silkworm moth in point. 

 The multiple variation gives power of increased measure of 

 concealment. No type keeps distinct, each may develop from a 

 single batch of eggs. 



I have only touched the barest outline of the subject. 

 Little has as yet been done. Brisbane is most rich in numbers. 

 I suppose there are nearly 400 species of Pyrales to be taken near 

 the town — more than twice the number found in Great Britain 

 and two-thirds the number found in all Europe. Scores of 

 species remain to be discovered and described. The study is 

 most healthy ; it entails no hard work. The lady artist may 

 revel here and do permanent helpful service. Again I urge' 

 the various members, but especially the ladies, to add to the 

 pleasure and happiness of life by taking up this most charming^ 

 bewitching, and elevating study. 



