J. M. DEGABMO. 13.0 



were it not that they are usually relegated to the domain 

 of instinct. I refer to the selection of proper plants on 

 which to deposit their eggs, so that the larvse may have 

 aijpropriate food when hatched. Yet if it be instinct, it 

 is not always unerring, for I have found eggs upon leaves 

 which the larvae would not eat, but left to seek more 

 palatable supplies. If instinct never errs, then this can- 

 not be instinct, — if it errs at times, then it has a striking 

 resemblance to intelligence. 



On the whole, we can safely say that the intelligence 

 exhibited by butterflies is of a very low order, and is 

 mostly confined to the disputed region where it touches 

 the domain of instinct. 



MELANIC VARIETY OF PcipUlO tumUS. 



[Syn. — Papilio glaucus : Jasoniad.es glaucus.^ 

 Dr. W. G. Stevenson reported a specimen of this but- 

 terfly taken at Poughkeepsie in August, 1882. It is four 

 and a half inches across the wings, and is a beautiful 

 example of melanic antigeny. 



Mr. Scudder in his work on Butterflies, states that ' ; the 

 home of this butterfly stretches from Alaska to Florida, 

 but north of the southern boundary of New York or there- 

 abouts not a black female can be found." This specimen 

 is interesting because it is the first one — so far as known 

 — of this variety that has been found in this vicinity. 



MARCH 12, 1884— TWENTY-THIRD STATED MEETING. 



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

 members and guests present. 



The following papers were read : 



VENTILATION FOR THE LABORATORY TABLE. 



BY LEROY C. COOLEY, PH.D. 



In the Vassar Brothers Laboratory of Vassar College, 

 a Richard's aspirator is placed at every table and pro- 



87 



