1*54 



stigmata and striae being in contrast with the ground of the 

 wings, and thus producing a bright appearance. Those from 

 Forres (Elgin) are generally less acutely marked, giving a 

 duller appearance, while those from Aberdeen more nearly 

 resemble the Lewis forms recently exhibited. But in 

 spite of their comparatively dull appearance these Forres 

 series show a greater range of colour-variation than any of 

 the others that we have noted, nor are they deficient in 

 variety of marking ; not that any of the usual markings are 

 absolutely wanting in any of the specimens, but they are 

 subject to modifications, which in combination with varying 

 shades of colour give the insects very divergent appearances. 

 Thus in the series captured in 1888 is one example in which 

 the ground colour of the primaries is a dull reddish-grey, the 

 usual transverse lines are indicated by minute black dots, the 

 submarginal band is hardly darker than the ground colour, as 

 are also the stigmata which are faintly outlined in whitish ; 

 the central spot of secondaries is unusually narrow and ill- 

 defined, the band also is less distinctly black than is usual, 

 and is intersected by the first median nervule. This last 

 appears to be a not uncommon phase of variation, and is 

 noticeable in some specimens in almost all the series 

 exhibited ; it may be remembered that our attention was 

 called to it at one of our former meetings by Mr. South 

 {Proc. 1888-9, p. 158). In the series bred in i8go are some 

 greyish-pink and grey specimens in which the stigmata and 

 submarginal line are but little darker than the ground colours, 

 in some of these the central spot in the secondaries is 

 diviaed, and the band narrow and much serrated. In some of 

 these same specimens the lower half of the reniform stigma 

 is filled up with very dark colour, while the upper half is pale, 

 thus giving the appearance of a central spot. Other grey 

 and brown-grey examples have both the reniform and 

 orbicular stigmata completely filled with a distinctly darker 

 shade, and the submarginal line also in strong contrast with 

 the ground of the wing, in many of these the transverse lines 

 form distinct white dashes on the costa, and the secondaries 

 have both the spot and band black and well developed. 



In the same set is another and darker brownish-grey form, 

 in which the stigmata are not in strong contrast, the shade 

 of the ground colour, however, varies considerably, in some 

 individuals approaching a blackish-brown, and the colour of 

 the secondaries inclines towards a rich bronze. The whole 

 series bred from ova in 1888 were of a brickdust red colour, 

 with the usual markings distinctly produced, their chief 



