492 Dr. Wallace on some Variations in Bombyx Cynthia. 
would rather, therefore, consider these as local varieties of Cynthia. 
Hiad the variety Ricini, perfecting its changes rapidly under a 
hot, moist climate, been larger and finer—had the coloration been 
more distinct, the markings more defined—I should have viewed 
the insect as a distinct species; but I regard size, intensity of 
coloration, distinctness of the markings, as clear evidence of 
abundant vitality—and this is corroborated by Capt. Hutton’s. 
views on the B. Mori, who states that the vers zébrés, or dark 
worms, are the healthiest and strongest individuals (vide Capt. 
Hutton on the Reversion and Restoration of the Silkworm, Trans. 
Ent. Soc. 3rd ser. vol. ii.) I must necessarily regard the con- 
verse, 7. €., smallness of size, blanched coloration, blurredness or 
indistinctness of markings, as indicative of diminished vitality ; 
and these latter indications are precisely what I find in the spe- 
cimens of Ricint and Guerinii. 
Three other points I mention, in conclusion :—First. That in 
looking over the empty cocoons in the autumn of 1866, I found 
about twenty large living pupe which had not hatched, and which, 
1 suppose, are laying over to emerge in 1867. 
Secondly. That a sound was frequently observed to proceed 
from the eggs, a sort of click, a single sound; this was generally 
in the second week, and I have been informed that a similar click 
had been observed to be emitted by the eggs of the Emperor 
moth. I attributed it to the parchment-like shell being pressed 
out with a spring by the effort of the larva within, and its returning 
to the concave form. ‘This little creaking or clicking sound was 
very frequently heard by me, often daily every minute, while 
sitting writing at my desk in the same room with the eggs. 
Thirdly. In two instances males at liberty paired with females 
put out to attract them at two miles distance from my house; and 
I found a worn female in my Ailanthery on the railway bank, 
resting by day on an Ailanthus tree. 
