268 tMay. 



the Netherland Entomological Society. Moreover, it is resolved to 

 give to the report the widest publicity, by forwarding it to the different 

 Foreign Societies which occupy themselves with Entomology. 



The Netherland Entomological Society hopes that the subject will 

 form a point of deliberation in all these Societies, in order that a 

 mutual exchange of opinions about the matter may bring the necessary 

 unity in nomenclature. The Society, moreover, thinks that a fit oppor- 

 tunity for this exchange of opinions will perhaps offer, if the matter 

 could be brought under discussion at the Zoological Congress, which 

 will be held this summer in Paris. 



The Netherland Entomological Society, 



Dr. A. W. M. van Hasselt, President. 

 Hague : March, 1889. F. M. VAN bee Wflp, Secretary. 



[The above is a reprint of a circular issued by the Dutch Entomological Society. 

 The controversy is old and is still " burning." In this particular case it concerns 

 generic (more than specific) Nomenclature, and has mainly been induced by certain 

 Coleopterists who have views of their own. 



The rules of Nomenclature in Entomology can only be on a parallel with those 

 in Zoology (and we might say Botany) in general. 



These rules are tolerably understood, and amount to a recognition (as this 

 circular admits) of the right of priority. But in the older time both " genera" and 

 " species " were often little more than vague collective terms, and to a lesser extent 

 they often still remain so. 



The difficulty as to the " type " of an old " genus " must of necessity remain 

 open to discussion. When Linne promulgated his binary system he never dreamed 

 that we, in 1889, would be squabbling over what he and his early followers intended, 

 or, rather, what they never anticipated would be disputed, from want of that know- 

 ledge we now possess. 



Our sympathies are in accord with the terms of the propositions. But no one 

 can control individual opinion. It is not necessary that a suggested change in 

 Nomenclature should be accepted : quite the contrary. The servile acceptance of a 

 change only proves that the acceptor has not studied for himself the reasons (if any) 

 given for the change. 



Those who object should be armed as to their reasons for objection. It is one 

 of those cases in which we think " custom " should predominate. — Editoes.] 



SOUNDS PEODUCED BY BUTTERFLIES OF THE GENUS VANESSA. 

 BY H. T. STAINTON, F.B.S. 



Since the publication of my note on this subject (see ante p. 225) 

 I have received the three following notices, which further elucidate 

 the point in question. 



Mountsfield, Lcwisham : 



April 10th, 1889. 



