( 13 ) 



Lond.," 1883, p. 201). There was evidence that Euploeas 

 were distasteful, and resemblances independent of affinity be- 

 tween distasteful species had been reasonably interpreted by 

 the Miillerian hypothesis. The interpretation in this case, 

 although offered nearly thirty years ago, had not, so far as 

 the speaker was aware, been called in question before. In the 

 absence of Mr. Moulton in Borneo, Professor Poulton wished 

 to say these few words in defence of his communication 

 published in the Transactions of last year (p. 585). 



As bearing on the same subject, Professor Poulton showed 

 a male example of the Euploeine butterfly, Tronga crameri, 

 Lucas, sent to him by Mr. J. C. Movilton, F.E.S., together with 

 a large Lycosid spider which was said to have captured it. 

 The specimens had been brought to Mr. Moulton by one of 

 his collectors who stated that he saw the butterfly in the 

 grasp of the spider. They were found (April 21st, 1909) on a 

 post near Kuching, Sarawak. The observation threw light 

 on the enemies of specially defended groups of insects. 



Small Moths captured at sea probably 190 miles from 

 THE land they HAD LEFT. — Professor Poulton exhibited moths 

 observed at sea and sent to him by Mr. F. Muir, F.E.S. , and tT 

 Mr. J. C. Kershaw, F.E.S. Mr. Muir in a letter written on 

 his way from Hongkong to Ceram, and dated December 24th, 

 1908, gave the following account of the observation : — 



" I enclose some small moths taken at sea on November 29th, 

 1908, about 107°20' E. and 6° N., that is, about 190 miles 

 S.S.E. of the Lower Cochin China coast, and about 120 miles 

 xxxix] 



N.N.W. of Great Natunas. The wind was fresh and blowing 

 from off the Cochin China coast: about 10 a.m. we noticed 

 mnny small moths settled over the deck and all in ]^)erfect con- 

 dition, as if just hatched. At first we suspected that they 

 were bred in the ship, but soon discovered that they were 

 coming on board in numbers. For about five hours we 

 noticed these moths in great numbers travelling from about 

 N.N.W. to S.S.E. They had the power of resting on the 

 surface of the sea — even ia the broken water around the bows 

 of the boat — and then rising and continuing their journey. 

 There were several other species in small numbers, and among 

 them the delicate little plume moth which I send. I think 



