THE YOUNG NATURALIST. 



185 



to show the necessity existing for a more definite classification than we have 

 at present in entomology. All the variations from the type which is gener- 

 ally considered specific should be ranged under one of four groups, and the 

 names used for those groups should not be used indiscriminately, as now. 

 That terms are too loosely used at present is admitted by all, and a reforma- 

 tion in scientific nomenclature is greatly needed. The groups suggested are— 

 A, Race, as applied to a geographical or altitudinal form of a species. B, 

 Variety, to be used only for those forms which occur only more or less com- 

 monly with the type form, but which are recurrent, and should therefore 

 receive distinct names, in addition to the specific ones. C, Aberration, a 

 departure from the type in colour, but not recurrent. And D, a Monstrosity, 

 which is a departure from the type in form, but which is not recurrent. The 

 two latter forms would not receive different names. The writer proved his 

 case fairly well, and all true students must deplore the evident tendency to 

 the multiplication of names and the creation of new species and varieties. 



HAGGERSTON ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



At the Meeting of August 5th, many interesting exhibits were on the table, 

 among which may be mentioned a very beautiful var. of V. urtica, having 

 some spots absent and others confluent, bred by Mr. Grey, of Redhill ; a long 

 series of Timandra amataria bred from ova by Mr. Huckett ; a very large 

 male specimen of T. betula by Mr. Gurney ; ovse of A. galathea by Mr. 

 Pearson ; a large female N. trepida from Shirley, by Mr. Jarvis ; a series of 

 H. dysodea by Mr. Clark ; also two fine specimens of Xestobium tesselatum 

 (the Death Watch beetle), from Willows at Sunbury, four Clonus verbasci, 

 four C. scrophularia, and five C. blatterim, from Scrophularia aquatica at 

 Farnham, by Mr. Lewcock. 



On the 12th Mr. Jobson exhibited bred specimens of E. venustula, and L. 

 sexalata, and some splendid bred G. smaragdaria ; Mr. Clark shewed two 

 A. athalia and four M. fiammea. 



A discussion on the habits of S. tithonus was brought forward by Mr. 

 Pearson, and continued by Mr. Eedle who gave interesting details of the 

 larvse. 



[The report of the meeting on August 19th has not reached us at the time of going 

 to press, owing to the absence of the Secretary.] 



PUBLICATIONS RECEIVED. 

 Seventh Annual Report of the " Isle of Man Natural History 



and Antiquarian Society." 

 This report contains the President's annual address, which gives quite a 



