1890.] 303 



6. — There are about nine or ten black 6. — These spots form almost a com- 



spots along the eosta. plete line, which is densest near the base, 



and again about the centre of the costa. 



I have been asked several times by correspondents whether I considered impar 

 a distinct species, or a variety of glandifera ; there are several points in favour of 

 and against its being a species. It will be noticed in the above comparison of the 

 markings, that although there are several features by which it can be readily dis- 

 tinguished from glandifera, yet, with the exception of the basal line, the distinctions 

 lie in the markings of impar being less distinct, and in the case of the subterminal 

 line almost entirely wanting, rather than in any real difPerence of shape. 



The only Cambridge specimen anything approaching glandifera that I have 

 seen was taken by Mr. Alfred Jones, and it forms rather a strong point against its 

 being a distinct species ; it has the basal line broken, and the distinct subterminal 

 line, as in glandifera, but it has the blotch near the base very dark, as in impar, and 

 is covered, although not so thickly as is usual, with dark scales. Typical glandifera, 

 or anything more nearly approaching it than this one specimen, I do not think 

 has ever been taken in or near Cambridge ; if it did occur here, I think I should 

 have taken it, as I look very sharply after impar when it is out. 



Many entomologists confound impar with var. par of glandifera ; this is the 

 greatest mistake that can be made, for, as Guenee describes it, v. par is the form 

 having all the markings as distinct as in the type, but of an iron-grey colour instead 

 of black, and is peppered with scales of the same colour, and affords a very great 

 contrast with impar. 



Var. par seems to be as common as the type where it occurs, most of my speci- 

 mens of glandifera are from Folkestone, and quite half are the var. par. 



In the " Entomologist " Synonymic List, impar is left out altogether, and far 

 inserted as a distinct species. Why this is, I cannot imagine, unless the compiler 

 made the mistake of confounding impar with par ; but, if so, why put it as a 

 distinct species ? 



The earliest date I have taken impar was July 27th of this year, and the latest, 

 August 23rd, 1886 ; but this year I have seen none since August 14th. I have taken 

 it in most parts of the town, but chiefly in one quarter, even there it is scarce. 



Whether it be a species or a variety, it is, I consider, the most interesting thing 

 we take in this district, and will always hold an important place in collections, if not 

 as a distinct species, at least as a very interesting Darwinian one. — Wm. Faeeen, 

 Union Road, Cambridge : August, 1890. 



Chrysoclista Linneella. — A month ago, on some lime trees in this road, a few 

 individuals of this beautiful species were leisurely enjoying their newly acquired 

 liberty, but to-day, on the rather rough trunks of the limes at one side of Lewisham 

 High Street, there was an abundance of them, all in the freshest condition. Some 

 males were loitering for mates — it was not a lo've-chase, for the Juliets coyly awaited 

 the advance of the Eomeos ; but the greater number were already paired. In places 

 portions of the frass of the subcortical larvae still remained on the bark — J. W. 

 Douglas, 153, Lewisham Road, S.E. : August IMh, 1890. 



