682 Insects. 



come under the denomination of P. Metra, scales in general similarly formed ; whilst 

 on the more dusky specimens (evident female examples of P. Rapae) I have as yet dis- 

 covered none at all which assume this peculiar character. The fact above recorded, 

 namely, the production of examples of P. Rapae and Metra from caterpillars resem- 

 bling one another in every respect, together with the corresponding form of the scales 

 of the wings (with two female exceptions), would seem to establish their identity, as 

 mere varieties of the same insect. Perhaps some of your more experienced readers 

 may feel sufficient interest in the subject to make further experiments, and I shall my- 

 self be happy to furnish any further information that may be desired. — J. F. Dawson; 

 Ventnor, I. of Wight. 



Enquiry respecting Colias Edusa and C. Hyale. Have these butterflies been ob- 

 served during the present autumn ? The septennial theory regarding Hyale, and the 

 quadrennial one regarding Edusa, require that neither should appear in 1844, except 

 accidentally and sparingly. — Edward Newman. 



Note on a supposed new British Butterfly. I learn from Mr. H. Doubleday, that 

 Mr. Weaver supposes he has taken a butterfly new to this country. It is described by 

 Mr. Weaver as being an Hipparchia, and intermediate in size between H. Blandina 

 and H. Cassiope. Eight specimens only have been captured, the wind being rough, 

 and causing much difficulty in securing them. The locality is at a considerable ele- 

 vation on one of the Scotch mountains. It may be observed that no entomologist is 

 more thoroughly acquainted with our British butterflies than Mr. Weaver, and there- 

 fore he is not likely to be mistaken as to its being a novelty. I hope before the ap- 

 pearance of the October number to have obtained further particulars, and to be able 

 to publish a figure. — Id. 



Enquiry respecting Polyommatus Artaxerxes. I have today met with a friend, who, 

 about a month since, captured about twenty specimens of this butterfly upon Arthur's 

 Seat, near Edinburgh. All of them possess the white spot in the centre of the upper 

 wing, and all agree in having the eyelets underneath obscured. I possess specimens 

 of Salmacis from Castle Eden Dean, which entirely want these distinguishing cha- 

 racters ; and also a single specimen from the same locality, captured by a friend, who 

 resides near Newcastle-upon-Tyne, which possesses them. Why should these insects 

 be considered mere varieties ? I have heard it advanced that Agestis, Salmacis and 

 Artaxerxes are one and the same insect. — James B. Hodgkinson ; 12, Friday St., 

 Preston. 



[The idea of combining these species originated with myself, as will appear by the 

 following extract from the ' Entomological Magazine,' ii. 515. " From examining 

 specimens of Polyommatus Agestis from different localities, I have arrived at a con- 

 clusion which will not, I fear, be coincided with by many of our Lepidopterists. On 

 the South Downs of Sussex and Kent, Agestis assumes what may be called its typical 

 form. I have taken it at Ramsgate, Dover, Hythe, Hastings, Rye, Brighton, Wor- 

 thing, Little Hampton, Chichester, Portsmouth, Isle of Wight, Dorsetshire, Somerset- 

 shire ; and throughout this range it is very similar : then, going upwards, I have met 

 with it at Worcester, Birmingham, Shrewsbury ; and here an evident change has ta- 

 ken place, the band of rust-coloured spots has become less bright ; at Manchester these 

 spots have left the upper wing almost entirely ; at Castle Eden Dean they are scarcely 

 to be traced, and a black spot in the centre of the upper wing becomes fringed with 

 white; the butterfly then changes its name to Salmacis. We proceed further north- 

 wards, and the black pupil leaves the eyes on the under side, until at Edinburgh they 



