34 Bulletin of the Brooklyn Entomological Society ^°^- ^^ 



T. acadica, Edwards, is the eastern representative. It ranges 

 from the middle states northward to Canada and westward to 

 Nebraska, Idaho and Montana. It exhibits minor variations in 

 different localities, but I have always found it recognizable. The 

 figures in Holland's " Butterfly Book " and elsewhere are reliable. 



T. calif ornica is also distinct, being a well characterized species, 

 richly marked and considerably variable. It is not correctly 

 figured in Mr. Wright's " Butterflies of the West Coast " ; the 

 insect he figures as calif ornica agrees best with itys. 



In studying the Theclas, the value of examining old and worn 

 material in conjunction with fresh specimens has been impressed 

 upon me. I believe that much confusion has occurred in litera- 

 ture from the naming O'f worn specimens, and that many doubtful 

 species will be cleared up when proper comparisons are made. I 

 have seen many types which are worn, old specimens, often with 

 the marking nearly obliterated. Descriptions made from such 

 material are dangerous and are apt to be very misleading. There- 

 fore I find it of great value to have flown and naturally battered 

 specimens for comparison, as they often give a clue. It is regret- 

 table to have such material figured as that presented in Mr. 

 Wright's book, the poor specimens combined with the mechanical 

 defects of the three-color process giving incorrect color values 

 and misinformation. The comparison of fresh and worn speci- 

 mens of a species broadens one's conception of that species and 

 helps to an understanding of the variable collection of individuals 

 grouped under the name of a species. In working over this group 

 of Theclas I have first tried to determine what the insects were 

 which the various authors described and then to relate them as 

 correctly as possible. I have seen the material in New York, 

 Brooklyn, Philadelphia and Washington, rich in types, paratypes 

 and topotypes, and have made comparisons with my own identifi- 

 cations for accuracy. 



THE DRAGONFLY ANAX LONGIPES ON LONG ISLAND, N. Y. 



By William T. Davis, New Brighton, Staten Island, N. Y. 



In the list of dragonflies of the vicinity of New York City 

 published in the Journal of the New York Entomological Society, 



