164 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 



lichen-covered trunks of trees or any other light-coloured object, 

 and also whether the dark insects (as the form doubled ay aria of 



A. hetidaria) select black tree-trunks on which to rest. If it 

 can be shown that in the majority of cases the dark-coloured 

 varieties do rest upon dark-coloured objects, and lighter varieties 

 upon lighter objects, and also that the insects have many 

 natural enemies, we might justly conclude that the colour has 

 a protective significance. Information of this nature can, how- 

 ever, only be obtained by the co-operation of very many entomo- 

 logists, for the chance of obtaining sufficient evidence from the 

 observations of one or two persons is very remote. I should, 

 therefore, be extremely grateful if entomologists would assist me 

 in collecting information regarding the resting habits of any of 

 the under-mentioned species belonging to the Geometrae which 

 may have come under their notice. 



Although the investigation which I am making is really on 

 the melanism of A. hetidaria, the chances of obtaining sufficient 

 records about the resting-habits of this species alone would be 

 so small that I have included several other well-known melanic 

 species in the list, in the hope that each entomologist may be 

 able to make at least one record about one of the species in the 

 list from his own observations. Particulars, which may be 

 returned according to the subjoined scheme, are requested con- 

 cerning the following species : — Amphidasys hetidaria (Peppered 

 Moth), A. prodrojiiaria (Oak Beauty), Odontopera hidentata 

 (Scalloped Hazel), Phigalia pilosaria (Pale Brindled Beauty), 

 Boarmia repandata (Mottled Beauty), B. abietaria (Satin Carpet), 



B. rhomhoidaria (Willow Beauty), Gnophos obscuraria (Annulet), 

 Hybernia progemmaria (Dotted Border). 



Scheme of particulars : — 



(1) State, if possible, the number of specimens of each 

 variety (light or dark, &c.) of the above species that have been 

 observed at rest, together with particulars as to the object upon 

 which they were found ; and also say whether they were con- 

 spicuous or well protected by their colour. 



(2) State, if possible, whether the species is abundant, fairly 

 common or rare in the locality to which reference of the obser- 

 vation is made. 



(3) If it is not possible to answer the above questions, any 

 other information concerning observations of a general character 

 will be very acceptable. 



Confirmatory evidence is of great value, and I should be 

 very glad to receive records made independently by different 

 persons for the same locality. 



All help received will be fully acknowledged on publication, 

 and I would like here to express (as it has not been possible to 

 publish anything upon the subject) my great indebtedness to 

 those entomologists who have previously sent valuable informa- 



