368 Mr. G. A. K. Marshall on 



whereas six examples of the cryptic dry ])liase are included 

 in the series (Plate IX, figs. 15, 19, and 23 ; Plate XI, figs. 

 1, 2, and 4). These facts may possibly lend son:;e support 

 to the suggested interpretation of these remarkable changes 

 (see pp. 431 to 442). 



Some naturalists may be inclined to interpret the in- 

 juries represented on Plates IX, X, and XI as the ordinary 

 results of age and wear, or the accidental contact with 

 thorns or twigs. Such an explanation is not consistent 

 with the fact that the great majority of the specimens are 

 in other respects fresh and unworn, and the margins of the 

 wings not frayed as they become in individuals which have 

 been long upon the wing. Again, the very high propor- 

 tion of the injuries inflicted at the anal angle and along the 

 hind margin of the hind-Wing is inconsistent with any such 

 interpretation. The part of the wing surface which is 

 certain to come most in contact with foreign objects is the 

 apical angle of the fore- wing, next, the costal and hind 

 margins of the fore- wing, last of all tlie border of the hind- 

 wing which is behind, and, as the insect finds its way through 

 an interlacing meshwork of twigs and leaves, is defended 

 by the greater width and powerful costa of the fore-wings. 

 It is true that the ape.K of one or both fore-wings is not 

 uncommonly snipped off, several examples being repre- 

 sented on Plate IX, and in the four lowest figures on Plate 

 XI, but the great majority of the specimens captured by 

 Mr. Marshall will be found to be injured in the hind-wing. 

 And of those snipped or notched in the fore-wing, some 

 exhibit symmetrical injuries which clearly suggest that the 

 insect was seized with the wings together, probably at rest. 

 Figs. 12 and 17 on Plate IX are good examples. Equally 

 symmetrical injuries are also common on the hind- wings, 

 either taking the form of a snip which suggests the very 

 shape of a bird's bill (c. g. Figs. 4, 30, 31, 33 on Plate 

 X), or one in which both anal angles or even a large part 

 of both hind-wings are shorn completely off (c. g. Figs. 2 and 

 28 on Plate X ; Figs. 8, 9, 18 and 20 on Plate XI). 



In one very interesting example of Vanessa atalanta 

 from N. Devon, presented by Dr. F. A. Dixey to the Hope 

 Department, there is only one possible position in which 

 the injury could have been inflicted, viz. the position 

 shown in Fig. 31, Plate X, for in that position alone can 

 the snip in all four wings be made to coincide. Further- 

 more, the position is that of complete repose, when the 



