130 LEPIDOPTERA. 



M. montanata ? wanting the central fascia and otherwise 

 presenting a very abnormal /acies, analogous to that of the 

 alhocrenata var. of C. riiptaria, and coming from a similar 

 northern locality ; two more negro M. dominula ; Arctia 

 caja wanting the brown of the fore, and the blue-black 

 markings of the hind wings ; as well as variations in P. rapce 

 and naj)iy A. Galathea, A. Silene, V. urticce (vel var. vel 

 Ichnusa, Bon.?), H. Tithomis and Janira, R. cratcegata, 

 M. Jiuctuata (var. cosfovata ?), A. exanthemariay Sc. am- 

 higualis, &c. ; and, as if to opjoose a contrast to the gigantic 

 3-inch V. cardui which have been exhibited, a 1-incb, 

 " Tiger " has been produced. 



Nor must it be forgotten that the pencil and the pen have 

 been actively engaged in portraying the larvae of our Bri- 

 tish Lepidoptera. 



Intliefollowingnotes,ason previous occasions, the refei'ences 

 to the new British species will be preceded by a few sketches of 

 such subjects of interest as have arisen during the past year. 



Prior appearance of Males and Females. 

 If it be true, as experience would incline us to believe, that 

 during the emergence of any batch of a given species the 

 individuals of either sex should temporarily preponderate, 

 the above question, which has been broached in the pages of 

 a contemporary, is not devoid of interest in so far as it may bear 

 importantly on thenatural laws which regulate the healthy per- 

 petuation of species, as well as, in a measure, upon that absorb- 

 ing subject — the variation of species : for if the males, say for 

 example, should at any time predominate, it would seem to 

 follow, as a matter of necessity, that the unpaired excess 

 would spontaneously seek other, less nearly related and more 

 distinctly located partners— and of the fact that the male 

 insects will instinctively traveise long distances, in search of 



