Gd 28409 
V. Report of Progress in Pedigree Moth-breeding to Dec. 
7th, 1887, with observations on some incidental 
points. By Freperic MERRiriexp, F.H.S. 
[Read December 7th, 1887.] 
Puate V. 
Ir will rest with Mr. Francis Galton to describe at the 
proper time and place the results of the experiments in 
pedigree moth-breeding which I have commenced for 
him, if they should be carried to a successful conclusion ; 
but in the meantime I am encouraged by him to write a 
sort of report of the progress hitherto made, and I think 
it is possible that the facts already observed may throw 
light on some points that are frequently subjects of 
inquiry and discussion in entomological and other 
periodicals. There are many of these points on which 
I have noted facts that may hereafter prove useful; but 
there are not many on which the observations made have 
been carried far enough to justify me in occupying the 
Society with them, and as to these I bring them forward 
partly in the hope of receiving suggestions from investi- 
gators qualified to offer them by scientific training and 
a lengthened experience, to neither of which I have any 
claim. 
Having obtained an abundant supply of S. dlunaria 
(bilunaria of the ‘Entomologist’ list) much earlier than 
of S. illustraria (tetralunaria of that list), I was led to 
try more experiments with the former than I had at first 
intended. I determined, in particular, to try the effect 
of forcing, partly in the hope that if success attended 
these efforts the period necessary to obtain pedigree 
results would be much shortened, and partly because 
I thought it would be interesting to know the effect that 
would be produced by forcing a rapid succession of short 
generations on an insect which in the natural state has 
in temperate climates only two generations, one covering 
four or five months mostly warm, the other seven or 
eight months mostly cold, each of these naturally 
alternating broods presenting such differences in size, 
TRANS. ENT. SOC. LOND. 1888.—PART I. (MARCH.) 
