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Entomological Society. 



size may not be, yet proportion is certainly an excellent specific character ; and it can- 

 not be considered a trifling matter that, by enlarging our figures in no determinate 

 scale, we can no longer use this character with confidence. 



" In turning over good coloured plates of an entomological Monograph or of a local 

 Fauna, we may get at once a mass of useful information. We can compare the spe- 

 cies with those of our own country, or of any other district with which we may be 

 acquainted, or the species of a new genus with those of an allied group in our cabinet, 

 seeing at a glance their several relations of size, form and colour. But this can only 

 be done if the figures are of the natural size. In the other case we get quite an erro- 

 neous idea of the new group or of the unknown Fauna, — erroneous not only as to size, 

 but in form and colour also ; for a mass of colour, though of the same tint, strikes the 

 eye more forcibly than a small portion; and in like manner any abnormal form 

 becomes far more striking when exhibited of a larger size thau usual. Let any one 

 compare two plates of well-known insects, in one of which all the figures are of the 

 exact natural size (representing actual specimens), in the other variously enlarged 

 (representing nothing in nature), and he will be convinced that the former is in a very 

 great degree more useful and instructive than the latter. It is the difference between 

 truth and error. 



" Species which are too small to be well coloured of the natural size should be 

 represented by outlines enlarged in some definite given proportion ; and such figures 

 should be given on separate plates, so as to be comparable with each other. 



" To make our coloured figures larger than nature has formed the objects which 

 they are intended to represent, in order to make them more showy and ornamental 

 than they really are, is quite unworthy of Science. Such figures do not possess any 

 one solid recommendation, while they do possess many positive disadvantages to the 

 scientific inquirer. They are also likely to disgust the incipient entomologist with his 

 study when he finds that his cabinet can never be so showy as the plates on which 

 entomologists profess to represent his specimens. 



" In Lepidopterous figures nature is seldom so falsified. Who ever thinks of 

 figuring a new Erycina or Lycaena so as to equal in size a Papilio or a Morpho ? 

 The thing would be scouted as absurd, yet it would be in reality not one whit more 

 objectionable than is the present practice as regards Coleoptera. 



" I beg, therefore, to propose that the Entomological Society of London should, 

 lead the way in this salutary reform, and allow, in its 'Transactions,' fully-coloured 

 figures only of the natural size, and outlines enlarged in some definite degree which 

 should be uniform for at least all the figures on the same plate." 



Several members present objected to the opinions expressed by Mr. Wallace, and 

 Mr. Smith suggested that Mr. W.'s dislike to enlarged coloured figures might arise 

 from the fact that he had never seen any well-executed plates containing such figures. 



Mr. W. Wilson Saunders read a paper on some remarkable Dipterous insects from 

 Dory, New Guinea, having long horns arising under the eyes, and projecting forward 

 like those of some of the deer tribe. The specimens were exhibited at the last 

 meeting of the Society, and were sent to this country by Mr. Wallace. Mr. Saunders 

 proposed for their reception the genus Elaphomya, and described five species, viz., 

 Ji. cervicornis, K. Wallacei, E. alcicornis, E. brevicornis, and E. polita. 



