THE YOUNG NATURALIST. 



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cases of sexual variation, and almost as effectually in many cases not sex- 

 ual. It is quite true that by careful selection from a very large number of 

 examples, a series of Betularia, or perhaps of any other species with a well 

 marked variety, may be obtained in which are every possible gradation from 

 the ordinary type to the variety. But this proves nothing. If Mr. Gregson's 

 series of Betularia varies from pure white to perfect black, through every 

 possible gradation, I ask what proportion did the type and the black form 

 bear to the intermediates ? Here is the issue between Mr. Gregson and my- 

 self. It is not one of fact, but of the application of the fact. 



YET AGAIN, CALIMORPHA HERA. 



By JOHN E. ROBSON. 



" And in the lowest depth, a lower depth 

 Still threatening to devour him, opens wide." 



It would really seem as if Calimorpha Hera were as bottomless a subject 

 as that written of by Milton, but my desire that " Young Naturalists " should 

 have their eyes open must be my excuse for returning to it again. I thought 

 I knew all that had been done in attempting to palm off Hera as British, but 

 it was not so, and my friend Mr. Walker, of Chester, has called my attention 

 to a former " capture" of Hera that must be noted here, as every tittle of 

 evidence helps to make the case stronger. Mr. Walker writes : — 



"I have just read your article on " Calimorpha Hera. }> Has your attention 

 been called to a recorded capture by a Capt. Russell in 1859 ? (See Zoologist, 

 1862, p. 7912.) The gallant Captain, who it is stated did not know the dif- 

 ference between a moth and a butterfly, was a remarkably fortunate man, for 

 he not only took 5 specimens of the above species (Mr. Brooks has got a 

 dozen of them. — J.E.R.), but a specimen also of Eulepia grammica, at the 

 same place. He also took 7 specimens of Argynnis lathonia the following 

 month (August 1859) at Lavenham, Suffolk, a specimen of Anescychia eschi- 

 ella, at Chelsworth, in 1861, and one of Papilio podalirius at Sevenoaks ! ! 

 All the above were exhibited at a meeting of the Entomological Society, 

 February 3rd, 1862." 



It scarcely seems necessary that I should add to the above. It tells its 

 own tale tolerably well. But there is a moral to be drawn from it too. 

 There is a north-country saying when a cook is told not to " over-egg " her 

 > pudding, that might be applied to all these innocent people who know nothing 

 whatever, but take very wonderful things. When Argynnis Niobe was so 



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