MELANISM AND MELANOCHROISM. 
Melanism and Melanochroism. By J. W. Tutt, F.E.S. 
_Mr. Tutt has done wisely in bringing together, in book form, the 
series of papers on this subject which has appeared in the pages of 
the ‘Entomologists’ Record.’ They form a very valuable contribution 
to the literature which has during the last few years appeared on 
Melanism in lepidoptera. Mr. Tutt’s theory is, that nearly all 
melanism has its origin in moisture, or, as he terms it, ‘ humidity,’ 
combined with natural selection; and he undoubtedly brings together 
many telling facts in support of thie view. ome of his arguments 
are no doubt open to question, and indeed, as one reads through the 
book, objections to many of the statements constantly occur to one’s 
mind. The fact is that probably no theory will ever be found to 
account for all cases of melanism, but that some or all of the various 
theories combined, in greater or less degree under diverse conditions 
in different localities ; or in other words, that one or more theories 
together may give a satisfactory and correct solution in one part of 
our islands, and other theories equally so elsewhere ; the result in 
all cases, no doubt, being ‘natural selection,’ in the direction of 
‘protection,’ and consequent ‘survival of the fittest.’ Mr. Tutt 
deserves the thanks of all lepidopterists for the clear and exhaustive 
way he has argued the probabilities in favour of his theory, and the 
book ought certainly to be read and studied by every one interested 
in this important, and now fascinating subject. 
CPP: 
NOTES AND NEWS. 
The thick double part (Nos. 199° 200) of the Botanical Series of the Journal of 
the Linnean Society, issued last April, is exclusively devoted to papers by 
wn rkshi ia St, FE and 
ye am s ven li 
which Xenophon is propose a substitution et a name dal given to 
w Fossil Plant described by bith i ina —— Tt pap 
The paper by Mr. West, ta wibiels Sines the part is devoted, and which 
runs to 114 pages, illustrated by seven plates of figures beautifully ae by his 
Wy i 
son, Mr. G. est, forms another of that most indefatigable and energetic 
otanist’s contributions to our knowl lee of the distribution of Freshwater Alge, 
this paper dealing with those of the West of Ireland, collected in July 1890, and 
n Augus ear following. The tota 17 species, 
tot 
6 sub-species, 97 varieties and 37 forms, of which 34, 7, 47 and 28 respectively 
are described for the first time as new to science. 
— or —_—_ 
One of the new species—Cosmarium persnpe named afier Mr. Wes 
Porat companion in these and many other tours, Mr. William Nuttall, of 
Bradford ; and another—Zuastruwm mg apd er another able and well-known 
student of these lowly plants, Mr. W. Barwell Tursier, ot Leeds. 
Naturalist, 
