1044 ' rvi The Zoologist — January, 1868. 



Nevertheless much independent and pleasant diversity of opinion 

 obtains in the application of this dichotomous division. On those 

 pleasant evenings when we gather round a friend's cabinet, a discussion 

 like this always arises when the drawer containing Cidaria russata is 

 opened for inspection. 



1st Critical Visitor. I think these insects are all Russata; Iminanata 

 is a larger insect — it has more the cut of a Pyrale, and looks altogether 

 different. 



2nd Critical Visitor. I cau't agree with you there: lm- 

 manata is a smaller insect ; indeed it seems to me a question of 

 magnitude. 



Host. I confess to fiuding great difficulty in separating them, and 

 to having taken but little trouble about the matter. 



3rd Critical Visitor. But I have though. I think I ought to know 

 the species, if anyone does ; I have taken them by thousands. Let me 

 see the drawer. (Brings his optical focus to bear on the insects.) 

 You are all wrong here. 11a ! ha ! ha ! I thought as much. In this 

 first row the third, fourth, — no, not the fourth ; yes, the fourth, — 

 seventh, eighth and tenth are Russata; all the others Immanata. 

 Ila ! ha! ha! that is a joke! Now for the second row: here they are 

 mixed in the same way ; the third, sixth, seventh, ninth, tenth and 

 eleventh are Immanata; the rest Russata. There is no difficulty in 

 separating them when you once know the species: they are as easy as 

 ABC: ha ! ha ! ha ! 



2nd Critical Visitor (taking the drawer and looking over it very 

 intently). I can't agree with you there: I should call the first row all 

 Russata, except the third, eighth and ninth — those are Immanata; 

 but you have them sadly mixed in the second row. May I take off" 

 the glass, and set them right ? It's a pity that a cabinet of refereuce 

 like this should have them wrong. 



3rd Critical Visitor. Well, I should not like your naming, Mr. Blank : 

 ha ! ha ! ha ! (Looks at the drawer again.) You may be right about 

 the eighth ; but I can't give in about the rest. Will you allow me to 

 separate them ? 



Host. No, thank you : Mr. Doubleday has had the kindness to go 

 through them, and has named them as they stand. 



The Critics in chorus. Oh, that's a different thing ! Well, I should 

 not have named them so ; but of course Mr. Doubleday must be right : 

 no one will dispute his authority. 



0. Dicranura Furcula and D. bifida. 



