SECTION F. 244 



ment of still better-known and probably still more distasteful forms in 

 its locality. 



Tlie abundance of tlie various species, tlie conspicuous nerina form of 

 feniMle, and the resemblance of a rare Danaid to it, tlie recent spread of 

 H. misippus beyond the limits of its model all support this latter inter- 

 pretation. 



Mimicry as evidence for the ancestral home of a widk-rangino 

 SPECIKS. By Prof. Edward B. Poulton, M.A., F.R.S., University 

 of Oxford, England. 



We know on historic evidence that ^Hosm^)?e.r;ji;vM.s' has spread and is 

 spreading through the warmer parts of the world. If we had not this 

 evidence, it miglit still be inferred with safety that North America is 

 the ancestral home as compared with the other countrit-s now inhabited 

 by this species. In North America we And a very perfect mimic in 

 Limenitis mi.vppns, while in no other country has the occupation been 

 long enough to permit of such a resemblance growing up. 



Similar evidence indicates that Africa is the ancestral home of Limnas 

 chrysippiis which now ranges through almost all the warmer parts of the 

 Old World. The (ar greater effect which has been produced by this 

 species upon the Lepidopterous fauna of Africa as compared with that of 

 other lands, proves a far longer sojourn in the former. 



A method of labklling typk specimens in collections of inskcts. 

 By Prof. Edward B. Poulton, M.A., F.R.S., University of Oxford, 

 England. 



Thk method adopted in the Hope Department of the University Museum, 

 Oxford, consists in printing a form of type label to which the reference 

 to the author's description of the species can be added. Such a label is 

 placed on the pin, below the specimen, Avhile a duplicate label is pinned 

 beside it, in the most convenient position for the student. All essential 

 facts are recorded on this label and a second one stating the locality, date 

 of capture, name of captor, and date of presentation. This latter (which 

 is prepared for all specimens recently added to the collections) is simi- 

 larly placed beside as well as on the insect. Ordinary printers' ink is used 

 for both labels because of its permanence; but the type labels are distin- 

 guished by a red line just within the margin. 



