434 Mr. T. H. Briggs on 
nearly over both these forms of Trifolii, and Filipendulee 
larva seems to be a connecting link between the two Trifoli. 
But throughout all the caterpillars of Filipendule, Lon- 
cere, the early and the late T'rifoli, the differences relied 
on as determinant, exist in a rudimentary form in the rest. 
The conspicuous orange spot in Lonicere, is more faintly 
to be traced in the rest; the ‘little tail? im the same 
insect, often appears in Milipendule and in the early Tri- 
folii, as a “minute black spot below the second of the 
two lateral spots,” and the x-like spots themselves are 
only the smaller spots magnified and developed into a 
certain shape. All the caterpillars may be described as 
yellowish-green or greenish-yellow, with two dorsal rows of 
black spots, larger or smaller, pointed or rounded, confluent 
or separate, and a lateral row on each side more or less con- 
fluent, and a more or less apparent dusky line above the 
feet. 
I have not said anything about the cocoons, as they are 
all similar; a Lonicerw, however, bred in 1866, spun a 
cocoon which presented a reticulate appearance. The 
one I bred this year did the same, others that spun up, 
however, did not, so I suspect this coimcidence was ac- 
cidental. 
Now, if we find this constancy of variation and deve- 
lopment and time of appearance, although there are no 
primary distinctive differences ranging through these four 
forms, are we to regard them as species or forms or what ? 
Do other forms, perhaps intermediate, exist? Willnota 
further examination of the general type of other colonies 
show? I donot anticipate much trouble about the mimics 
and the hybrids, they are exceptions, and only trouble- 
some so far as regards the particular specimen in question. 
A colony cannot be a colony of hybrids, or a colony of 
mimics ; either they are forms or species, and surely this 
is capable of elucidation. One word as to the hybrids 
and mimics; a hybrid usually (if it be a hybrid) shows 
signs of degeneration, which might occur throughout a 
brood; mimicry would be peculiar to the individual. 
This year on the 16th June at Folkestone, Pilipendule 
larvee swarmed in the warren, but no moths could I find; 
on Castle Hill the moths were out, but they were very 
small, and with a tendency to the obliteration of the sixth 
spot; antenne shorter than usual; one specimen, a ¢, 
