XXXVU 
far more important and striking than those which, according to Mr. Wol- 
laston, distinguish his Pogonus salsipoteus from chalceus, Masoreus arenicola 
from Wetterhalii, Pterostichus haligena from longulus ; and if we admit with 
him, and those who follow these new theories, that a long isolation has led 
to a modification in the form of an insect, we ought certainly to expect 
much less similarity between those individuals which live in temperate 
Europe and those living in the almost tropical climate of the Canaries, than 
between such as inhabit islands so near together as Porto Santo and Deserta 
Grande. How much greater still ought to be the difference among indi- 
viduals of Pristonychus complanatus from Europe, from Chili, from the 
Cape, and from Australia; of Plochionus pallens from France, California 
and Java; of Loricera pilicornis from Europe and America, &c.?; but, never- 
theless, specimens from countries so distant are nearly identical, while 
individuals from the same locality show very often much greater differences. 
I do not mean to deny that atmospheric circumstances might influence the 
size or coloration of certain species, as we see in several species of Carabus, 
Nebria, &c.; but we never find among specimens of diverse stations such 
striking and constant differences of form as those which occur between 
Eurygnathus parallelus and Latreillei. Why attempt to force nature rather 
than admit that there can be in that group of islands two species of 
Eurygnathus, just as there are twenty-three species of Calathus, fourteen 
of 'T'rechus, seven of Olisthopus, five of Zargus, and three of Broscus ? 
“ Mr. Wollaston leans on the authority of our lamented friend, the late 
Dr. Schaum, and I am happy to find such homage to his memory; but 
Dr. Schaum might have been in error in this case, as he was in that of 
Aptinus cordicollis, which he believed for a long time to be identical with 
pyrenzus, until, having acquired it from Sturm’s collection, he convinced 
himself of the contrary; and I must say that he was always ready to 
acknowledge his errors. In general, he lived in a period of reaction, and 
was afraid of multiplying species; in order not to fall into the excesses of so 
many entomologists who established species on the most trifling and even 
imaginary characters.” 
Mr. T. H. Briggs read a paper “On the Forms of Zygzena trifolii, with 
some remarks on the question of Specific Difference as opposed to Local 
or Phytophagic Variation in that Genus.” 
20 November, 1871. 
A. R. Watuace, Esq., F.Z.S., President, in the chair. 
Additions to the Library. 
The following donations were announced, and thanks voted to the 
donors :—Memoires de la Societe de Physique et d'Histoire Naturelle de 
