* 



140 Inheritance of Wing Colour in Lepidoptera 



Out of the large number of type insects bred, only 2 proved melanic, 

 that is less than 05 per cent., and these were without doubt introduced 

 accidentally. In families '17 G, H, L and M both parents were wild 

 types from the New Forest. In family '17 ^ the ? parent was extracted 

 from melanics, and the (/ came from the Dorking strain. In family 

 '18/ the % parent was extracted from melanics, and the ^ came from 

 the New Forest. In families '18./, K, L and M, both type parents 

 were extracted from melanics. It is thus evident that the black form 

 of B. abietaria, like the other closely related species investigated, behaves 

 as a simple Mendelian dominant. Though the type is subject to a great 

 deal of variation, no distinct inheritance of an intermediate variety, such 

 as var. sericearia, could be detected. 



My thanks are due to Prof Punnett and to the late Prof Doncaster 

 for kindly reading the MS. of this paper, and to Miss Helen Moodie for 

 her care of the larvae, and the large broods reared. 



DESCRIPTION OF PLATE VI. 



Boarmia abietaria and var. sericearia. Natural size. 



Bred from melanics. 



Bred from melanics. 



Dark type, bred from melanics. 



Dark type, bred from New Forest strain. 



Type, bred from New Forest strain. 



Type (New Forest). 



Type (New Forest) from Mr Harwood. 



Type, golden-brown (New Forest). 



Melanic, bred from Dorking strain. 



Melanic, bred from Dorking strain. 



