196 JOURNAL, BOMB A Y NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. IX. 



should only be used for the last, and no name should be given to such 

 varieties. Seasonal forms too, we think, should certainly not receive 

 names ; but the case of local races is a quite different one, and in many 

 instances it is difficult to say whether a particular form is a good species 

 or a local race. In describing local races the form first described is 

 usually treated as the parent race, though this must inevitably be fre- 

 quently quite wrong, and all the principles of evolution teach us that of 

 two geographical races occurring in different areas at the same period 

 neither would be the parent race but both would be modifications of one 

 progenitor. We have, therefore, to be very careful when assigning local 

 races to make certain that we are grouping together the local races of 

 one and the same species ; for instance Mr. Leech admits that the species 

 he once considered to be a race of Augiades sylvanus, he now considers 

 to be a race of Erynnis comma ; and again why should Yphthima chi- 

 nensis be treated as a race of ¥. newara rather than as a race of 

 Y. nareda ; and many other cases could be quoted. Furthermore if 

 some subsequent naturalist ascertain that a form, which Mr. Leech has 

 described as a " var." of a certain species, has really nothing in 

 common with it and belongs for example to a different genus, as in the 

 case quoted above, in such a hypothetical case should Mr. Leech's name 

 stand although he may have gone utterly astray ? 



We therefore think this sub-specific treatment has its drawbacks, 

 and should only be used in cases where there is absolutely no question 

 as to the correctness of the conclusions drawn ; this no doubt is the case 

 in the large majority of instances in the present work but in such 

 instances as mistakes have been made, if any there be, the labour of 

 subsequent authors will be considerably increased. 



On the whole, we can certainly congratulate Mr. Leech on having 

 brought out a most valuable work, which will remain the standard 

 authority on the districts dealt with for many years to come, and, if 

 some slight errors have crept in, that was only to be expected, and if 

 others carp at Mr. Leech's treatment and synonymy, is not that to be 

 expected still more ? 



