159 
producing some difference in the coloration of the insect; 
but, unless I am utterly mistaken, neither that nor any other 
(except one to be afterwards mentioned) process can alter 
the markings as seen in Arctia cata, Abraxas grossulariata, 
and many others. My experience during the last six years 
leads me to believe that all ideas as to food, soil, &c., pro- 
ducing true varieties are mere ideas and nothing more. I 
entertain this belief, or more properly conviction, on the 
following grounds :—(a) All my larvee (say 3000) were, with- 
out a single exception, fed upon Ewonymus, and occasionally 
a few sprigs of the common currant. (b) The whole were 
fed in the same room, day and night, and consequently the 
same temperature, light and darkness. (c) There is no 
smoke (quite the reverse) in Clifton or Redland. (d) Being 
invariably kept indoors both as larve and pupz, wet or dry 
weather could not have any appreciable effect upon them. 
(e) No difference of soil within the limited area where they 
were all collected. And yet under these conditions were 
produced at least two hundred and fifty varieties, some of 
which are exhibited in the ‘drawings.’ But there is another 
circumstance connected with our efforts to produce varieties 
in the insect before us, one which I do not remember to have 
seen brought forward hitherto ; it is this :—the extraordinary 
variation in the ‘contour’ (if I may use the word) of the 
specimens,—that is, in the length, breadth, and curvature of 
the upper wings. A moment’s glance at the drawings will 
show what I mean. No collector can have failed to notice 
this fact, though, as I have said, I cannot call to mind 
having ever seen it referred to in the discussions as to the 
possible or probable causes of varieties. No one, I think, 
will maintain that any of those causes can produce such a 
change in the form and shape of the wings. I mentioned 
that, in my opinion, there is one, and one only method by 
which we may reasonably hope to obtain varieties. Of 
course I refer to ‘crossing’ the imagines, dark with light, 
&c. And this I firmly believe to be the true cause of the 
wonderful varieties—at any rate of gvossulariata. Not a 
few collectors have tried this method (in captivity) year 
after year, and have been more or less successful in obtain- 
ing first-class varieties. Arguing from this, I hold that the 
same takes place in nature, and hence the element of good 
or bad ‘luck.’ Of the former I have certainly had more 
than my fair share.” 
Mr. Hy. J. Turner exhibited specimens of seven species of 
the genus Libythea: | 
