is nearly in the same line with that of the thoracic. Suspension 
by the posterior apical hooks and the assumption of a form 
in which the long axis of the body is nearly in one line, is 
very ancient, dating back to the common ancestor of a number 
of closely-related species. For a countless number of genera- 
tions the soft and yielding Vanessid pupa has been subjected 
to the strain of gravity and has responded by the production 
of a definite shape, viz. one in which the long axis is parallel 
with the line of force. And yet not a trace of any hereditary 
effect is manifest. Remove the strain and the individual is 
free, unbiassed by the forces exerted upon unnumbered 
ancestors, to assume an entirely different shape. 
' Vanessid pupze alone, so far as I am aware, have been 
studied from this point of view. Figures of other suspended 
Nymphaline pup however indicate that all do not yield 
equally to the strain, although I believe that all are to some 
extent affected. The pupe of the Argynnide contrast in an 
interesting manner with those of the Vanessidx in this respect. 
The strongly-curved pupa of Argynnis aglaia figured by W. 
Buckler * was probably supported wholly or in part by a leaf, 
as is suggested not only by the shape but the plane of the 
surface of attachment, as shown in the figure, and to some 
extent by the description. 
Variable Protective Resemblance in Insects——The power 
which it is now known that many larve and pupz possess of 
changing their colour into correspondence with the tints of 
each one of several possible environments has been thought 
to favour the Lamarckian interpretation of the origin of 
variation. Thus the late George J. Romanes said of the 
evidence which had been brought forward to prove the power 
in question :—‘ It has always appeared to me that the experi- 
ments themselves are among the most valuable which have 
hitherto been made regarding the causes of variation,” 7 an 
opinion due, as the writer states, to his acceptance of the 
‘“¢ Lamarckian conception.” 
On the other hand, I have never doubted that the results 
are in the nature of a climax rather than a foundation, that 
* Ray Society, ‘‘ Larve of British Butterflies and Moths,” vol. i, Plate 
X, fig. 3b, 1886. + ‘‘ Nature,” vol. xxxviii, 1888, p. 364. 
