XXI 



but even here when a nearer projection exactly covered a 

 more distant one, the other pairs would be more or less " out 

 of register." 



It was obvious that in all these side views more or less of 

 the upper surface of the more distant wings was visible, over- 

 lapping the edges of the nearer under surface. It was probable 

 that we found here the interpretation of the broad dark 

 margin of the upper surface in all the jagged " Commas " 

 of the Palaearctic and Nearctic Regions — a modification of 

 pattern which results in a dark upper surface being seen 

 beside a dark under surface in side views of the position of 

 rest. Looking at the patterns of closely related Vanessidae 

 from this point of view it appeared probable that edges 

 markedly out-turned like those of the Commas would only 

 be found in polychloros and its allies. 



The feature observed by Dr. Perkins was presumably a 

 permanent character of the hardened wing-membrane, but 

 it would be interesting to confirm this by looking at the 

 expanded wings of the living butterfly. The drying of the 

 wings and mode of appearance of the feature would also be 

 well worth investigation. 



It was extraordinarily interesting to find new observations, 

 like these of Dr. Perkins, made upon one of our best and 

 oldest known species. 



Dr. S. A. Neave read a letter from Mr. W. J. Harding 

 regarding the capture of Polygonia (Grapta) c-album at 

 Holcombe in Devonshire, and some discussion took place 

 as to the distribution and recent spread of this butterfly in 

 the south of England. 



