194 



A NOTE ON THE LOCALITIES ATTRIBUTED TO AUSTRA- 

 LIAN LEPIDOPTERA BY MR. OSWALD LOWER.: F. E.S. 



By A. Jefferis Turner, M.D., F.E.S. 



[Read October 2, 1906.] 



It is hardly necessary for an entomologist to insist on 

 the vital importance of strict accuracy in the record of locali- 

 ties. A definite locality is often of great assistance to the 

 systematist in determining a species. Further, when the 

 description of an obscure species is insufficient for its deter- 

 mination, and the type has been lost or destroyed, it may 

 be possible by the examination of specimens, corresponding 

 to the description and taken in the exact locality of the 

 type (such specimens have been styled fopotype$ by Lord 

 Walsingham), to determine the species with sufficient exact- 

 ness. These are incidental advantages. The main points 

 are:— (1) That the natural history of a species must be con- 

 sidered imperfectly knov^^n until its range has been ascer- 

 tained (if possible both geologically as well as geographically, 

 though entomologists have to be content with the latter) ; 

 and (2) that the study of geographical distribution is recog- 

 nized as an important branch of science. If accuracy in re- 

 cording localities is of importance, it is equally a scientific 

 dut}^ to correct mistaken localities, or even to indicate what 

 localities are doubtful, since doubtful localities as a basis 

 for scientific generalizations are far worse than no localities 

 at all. When such errors have been perpetrated on a con- 

 siderable scale, the obligation becomes imperative. 



In the present state of Australian entomology it is very 

 difficult to detect errors in locality. So many new species 

 are constantly being discovered, that an author may for years 

 continue to assign to them incorrect localities, without sus- 

 picion being aroused. Even when suspicion is aroused, any- 

 thing like positive proof is in the nature of the case difficult. 

 But in the present instance T am able to adduce evidence 

 which, I consider, amounts to demonstration. 



In 1903 I liad an opportunity of examining some of 

 Mr. I^ower's types of Vyralida'. On inspection T had no 



