﻿45 



that the dark form of Acronycta leporina, L., was almost 

 the only form of the species to be obtained in the woods 

 round London. The species mentioned were only a few of 

 tliose subject to melanism in the London district, and he 

 thought the whole question was one well worthy of study and 

 discussion, 



Mr. Tugwell said that very dark forms of Hemerophila 

 abruptaria, Thnb., and beautiful melanic forms of Eipithecia 

 rectangulata, L., var. nigrosericeata, Haw., were obtained in 

 the neighbourhood of London ; and Mr. Carrington stated 

 that in Hyde Park Eicgonia guercinaria, Hufn., occasionally 

 occurred of a mahogany colour. 



APRIL 26th, 1888. 

 T. R. BiLLUPS, Esq., F.E.S., President, in the Chair, 



Messrs. J. E. Pearce and J. Pearce were elected members. 



Mr. H. T. Dobson exhibited a specimen of Smerint/ms 

 tilice, L., having the lower part of the central band of the 

 superior wings absent. 



Mr. J. Lea exhibited examples of Hybernia leiLcopJiearia, 

 Schiff., and with reference to the remark on the small size of 

 the species taken this spring, made by Mr. R. Adkin at the 

 previous meeting, stated that all he had seen were far below 

 the average size. 



Mr. J. Jenner Weir read an extract from a letter addressed 

 to him from Mr. Cockerell, and dated March 31st, referring 

 to his note read at the meeting held on March 8th last, " On 

 the origin of Gonepteryx cleopatra, L. : — 



" I gather from Mr. Fenn that my note on the origin of 

 Gonepteryx cleopatra was not quite understood at the South 

 London Entomological and Natural History Society, and 

 that you were unable to follow the argument. I will try to 

 put it more lucidly. Proposition : That Gonepteryx cleopatra 

 and rhainni are climate forms. Argument : (i) The original 

 progenitor of the two species must either have had two 

 seasonal forms, or else split into a northern (rJiamni), and a 

 southern (cleopatra) race in the course of its migration from 

 the original locality. (2) If it had been simply influenced by 

 climate like (say) the Scotch and South English species, 

 which present different forms in those two districts, inter- 



