124 [May, 



THE GENUS SCOPARIA. 

 BY C. A. BEIGGS, T.E.S. 



The difference between Mr. E. R. Bankes and myself as to the 

 identity of 5. amhigualis and S. atomalis really seems to be a question 

 of what constitutes " proof." 



In 1885 inspection of a fair series of both so-called species, aided 

 by Dr. Buchanan White's note, led me to feel pretty certain of their 

 identity. In January, 1889, comparison of a large number of speci- 

 mens from various localities, including specimens from Howth, Cum- 

 berland, and Herefordshire, from Sussex, Surrey, Kent, and Isle of 

 "Wight in the south, from Eannoch and Argyllshire in the north, and 

 island forms from the Sound of Jura, Arran, Hoy and Unst, ripened 

 this into the absolute conviction I expressed (Ent., xxii, p. 16) ; but 

 as I did not for a moment presume that my opinion alone was sufficient 

 to justify the assumption that the question was finally settled, I asked 

 the assistance of Scottish Entomologists, feeling certain that as soon 

 as the existence of the long range of intermediate forms was more 

 generally known, few would be found to doubt their specific identity ; 

 and I asked this assistance not for the sake of confirming my already 

 strongly expressed opinion, nor with the expectation of finding any 

 cause to modify it, but in the hope of being able to get together a 

 sufficient mass of evidence to bring home the like conviction to others. 



In January, 1890, it would seem that a good series from Perth- 

 shire has, as was to be expected, convinced Mr. Bankes ; but beyond 

 Ms acquisition of the series, he has adduced no proof, nor any new 

 fact whatever to show why the question should be regarded as any 

 more settled now than it was in January, 1889, or to justify his state- 

 ment that atomalis must for the future lose its specific rank. The 

 italics here and subsequently are mine. 



To me it appears questionable how far the individual opinions of 

 Mr. Bankes and myself, based entirely on the appearance of the in- 

 sects, can be said to have settled the question satisfactorily or otherwise, 

 and most certainly I never claimed to have done so ; but it may be 

 that when others who have studied the group express their views, a 

 general consensus of opinion will enable us to consider the matter as 

 proved. It would be far more satisfactory, however, if by breeding 

 from the egg it coald be shown whethci', in a brood of so-called atomalis, 

 any approached ambiqualis, and vice versa. 



As regards S. mrrcurella and S. cratcegalis the question is less 



