J. M. DEGARMO. 129 



Mr. C. N. Arnold read some notes on, and exhibited 

 specimens of '"Fossil Gums and Resins." 



FEBRUARY 27, 1884— TWENTY-SECOND STATED MEETING. 



Prof. W. B. Dwight, chairman, presiding ; twenty- 

 four members and guests present. 

 The following paper was read : 



SOME EVIDENCE OF INTELLIGENCE IN BUTTERFLIES. 



DEGARMO, PHD. 



The limits of knowledge among Lepedoptera are soon 

 reached, and are very narrow. To such as hesitate to 

 apply the term "intelligence" to these lower manifesta- 

 tions of the knowing power, we shall offer no objections. 

 For whatever significance may be attached to the extreme 

 phenomena of "instinct" and "intelligence," there is 

 no doubt a border land where these terms seem inter- 

 changeable. Some of the phenomena of this disputed 

 region can be readily and reasonably classed under either 

 head. If any prefer to call these facts evidence of in- 

 stinct rather than of intelligence, they are welcome to 

 the privilege. 



• The knowledge essential to self-preservation first claims 

 our attention. On slight examination this seems almost 

 entirely limited to a perception of danger arising from 

 motion. They have no knowledge of jiersons or animals 

 apart from motion. The wildest and most timid will 

 remain at rest if a person approaches them so gently that 

 no movement is perceptible. The Papilio turnus, most 

 alert and restless of all our local varieties, will remain 

 perfectly quiet, if the approach be made sufficiently 

 gradual. They can even be picked up with the fingers 

 at times. But the slightest evidence of motion, especially 



above them, alarms them at once. I have sent a small 



ei 



