1888.} 79 



CLIMATIC AND LOCAL VARIATION IN OUR BUTTERFLIES. 

 BY C. G. BARBETT, F.E.S. 



In vol. xxiii, p. 244, of this Magazine, are some suggestions by- 

 Mr. W. F. de Y. Kane on climatic variation in butterflies, and on the 

 local work of observation on such subjects suitable to be performed in 

 connection with local museums, which suggestions have not as yet 

 elicited any particular response. 



As concerns local museums, this is not surprising, these institu- 

 tions being in many cases entirely supported by the voluntary con- 

 tributions of those who appreciate their usefulness : and where they 

 are assisted by the local authorities, it is usually with an economy 

 which bears a striking resemblance to parsimony, and a careful 

 avoidance of the burning question of rates. Even in places of more 

 advanced public spirit, such as Norwich, Nottingham, Sheffield, where 

 the museums are supported with some degree of liberality, the time 

 of the Curators is so completely occupied in cleansing, arranging, and 

 keeping in order their numerous collections, that they can do little or 

 nothing in the way of out-door collecting or observation, and certainly 

 they are not supplied with means for employing collectors. Local 

 museums are, in fact, almost entirely dependent for their specimens 

 upon the liberality of friends, and for scientific accuracy of nomen- 

 clature and arrangement upon the voluntary assistance of specialists 

 and local students. 



Under these circumstances, there is little room for hope that 

 -much information upon local phases of variation will be attainable 

 through the museums, and until municipal authorities arrive at a very 

 different appreciation of scientific work from what they exhibit at 

 present, it will be necessary to depend upon the hard-working local 

 entomologists. Perhaps, even these are not always aware of the 

 interest that may attach to the species which they see plentifully 

 around them, and observations of this nature are more likely to be 

 made by those who do not remain too long stationary, but from col- 

 lecting in various and distant localities find their attention drawn to 

 local variation. For this reason I propose — at the risk of repeating 

 facts already noted — to give some of the results of my own personal 

 observation. 



Papilio Machaon, L. — It is possible, and, indeed, probable, that 

 before the draining of the extensive fens of Bedfordshire, Cambridge- 

 shire, Hants, and Lincolnshire, in the last and beginning of the 



