190 BRITISH CICAD.E. 



affect or promote variability in the colouring of 

 insects, what are the effects of insular habitats in causing 

 darker prevailing tints, the action of low temperature 

 as to the controlling periods of pupation, and the like 

 subjects, that only a few remarks will suffice relating 

 to the special subject of Cicadae. 



As to insular habitats, I have received from Ireland 

 many specimens of Aphrophorae, Bythoscopidffi, and 

 Deltocephali, which are striking from their dark and 

 pronounced colouring. There is cause for regret that 

 so little interest has been hitherto shown in working 

 out the Hemiptera of our sister island, and that not 

 very much more has been bestowed on North Britain. 

 The Coleoptera and Lepidoptera of this country (we 

 may say also on the Continent) have absorbed more 

 attention perhaps than can be well spared, whilst other 

 insect orders have had but few to devote themselves 

 to describing their remarkable economies. 



As to protective -mimicry in animals, and variation 

 connected with concealment, notwithstanding that so 

 much has been written, much yet remains in doubt 

 and obscurity. Abstract aesthetic notions of beauty can 

 hardly be claimed for insects ; indeed we cannot easily 

 define them for ourselves. The male of the silkworm 

 moth pairs as freely with the female having crippled 

 or undeveloped wings, as with the imago of perfect 

 form. With reference to colour, we do not certainly 

 know that the eyes of insects at all appreciate the 

 characters of the waves of light in the manner we do. 

 Insects may be partially or w^ioUy CQlour-blind, as often 

 occurs amongst the highest animals. But the notion of 

 waruing-colours of course recognizes an appreciation, 

 which Sir. J. Lubbock did not find so easy to prove 

 active in the case of the honey-bee. 



We have yet to balance evidences on both sides. 

 Lepidoptera, as a rule, are not fearful of showing their 

 bright hues, and becoming conspicuous in broad sun- 

 shine ; and the same may be said of our bright-coloured 

 spiders, which usually spread their webs in the most 

 open spaces. 



