92 



Monthly Magazine," embracing their contents for ten or 

 twenty years in one volume ; without such aid the wealth of 

 information they contain is almost unavailable. 



Hybridization amongst Lepidoptera is a very interesting 

 subject ; the fact that closely allied species are often found 

 in each other's company, without the production of hybrids, is 

 itself a proof that a physiological bar exists between them. 



In Nature I have observed and taken hybrids between 

 Afithrocera filipendulcE and A. trifolii. These are gregarious 

 species, and it is in certain localities only that flocks of the 

 two are found in company. My experience of more than . 

 50 years collecting on the South Downs is that A. filipendulcB 

 only occurs on those chalk hills ; but in the Weald of Sussex, 

 the two species are often found together, and from the ex- 

 periments made by Mr. Fletcher it appears that hybrids are 

 easily obtained between them in confinement : this is, however, 

 a very exceptional case. 



I have a specimen of LyccBna bellargus $ which I took 

 coupled with L. icariis ? , and have one doubtful hybrid 

 between the two species ; and also one equally uncertain 

 between Melanippe rivata and M. montanata. Beyond these 

 I have myself taken no other hybrids in Nature. 



Experiments should be made in hybridization between per- 

 fectly well-defined species which are geographically separated 

 in their distribution, and between which hybridization in 

 Nature could never have taken place. A physiological bar 

 of infertility between them need not exist ; and, judging from 

 what we know of in plants, is in numberless instances not 

 found. 



Entomologists should be guided in these matters by the 

 experience of horticulturists. Plants of species abundantly 

 distinct, inhabiting different hemispheres, are often easily 

 crossed, and the offspring is commonly perfectly fertile. 

 Recently a Begonia from Socotra has been crossed with a 

 totally different species from South America. 



I have already made this address too long, but I venture 

 to say a few words on the value of a well-arranged private 

 collection, which I consider absolutely necessary for the 

 student. It is in one's own study only, that a minute and 

 deliberate examination of specimens can be satisfactorily 

 made ; in public museums, of course, it is rarely and for very 

 special reasons only, that the glass of the drawers is per- 

 mitted to be removed, and thtn with a curator present. The 

 examination, therefore, is hurried and of an imperfect 

 character. 



