( li) 
generations, are of special interest in connexion with Mr. F. 
Galton’s law of heredity.* 
In conclusion, Dr. Dixey observed that many points of 
ereat interest had necessarily been left untouched in the pre- 
sent brief sketch of Standfuss’s work. He hoped, however, 
that enough had been said to show the scientific importance 
of the researches that had cost their indefatigable author so 
much labour. It should be especially gratifying to entomolo- 
gists that the present experiments afforded one more illustra- 
tion of the aid which could be brought by entomological data 
towards the solution of some of the most difficult problems of 
biology. 
Mr. Cuampron showed for the Rey. J. H. Hocking an 
example of the long-bodied moth, Vatosoma ayrionata, ¢, 
from New Zealand; also one of Protopaussus walkeri, Waterh., 
found by Mr. Walker in China, the subject of a later com- 
munication; and specimens of the rare Hmblethis verbasci, F., 
from the Scilly Isles. 
Mr. Jacosy showed a Halticid beetle with a singular 
abnormality, the side-margin of the prothorax being split, 
and embracing a long process. 
Dr. Cuapman exhibited some Spilosoma lubricipeda bred by 
Dr. Riding, who stated that the original 2 parent exhibited 
‘was a selected variety, not a fair sample of the brood she 
belonged to. Mr. Hewett of York gave me the larve, and had 
selected the parents from a series bred the year before from 
larve from Hull. There has been pure selection from nor- 
mal broods, and no introduction of zatima blood. The 4 
parent was a normal, though well-marked ¢, not kept. The 
specimens sent are picked specimens, but 1 have many more 
like the least marked ones, the proportion bred with similar 
variations being roughly about twenty per cent. They show 
* Mr. Galton has lately tested his law (first enunciated in his 
work, ‘“ Natural Inheritance,” 1889, p. 134) by application to the 
records of the breed of Basset hounds already mentioned. His 
recent paper, “ The Average Contribution of each Several Ances- 
tor to the Total Heritage of the Offspring,” Proc. Roy. Soc. 1897, 
pp. 401-413, shows that it stands the test remarkably well.—F.A.D. 
