Chappell: Reminiscences of Buent Wood. 187 



existence of such objects as the sea-snakes mentioned by Darwin as 

 being ugly products of nature. We may also argue from this fact 

 that not only is beauty in nature produced by an intellect similar to 

 that of man, but by one having an almost identical taste. 



To sum up. I have shown that Darwin has explained in a most 

 interesting manner the development of beauty in many animals by the 

 theory of sexual selection, but that although this theory throws much 

 light on the subject, it also leaves much unexplained. It does not 

 tell us why the colours and markings produced should be of a most 

 refined type, or give any reason why beauty should exist throughout 

 nature. We have therefore to look for some other cause, and since 

 the intellect of man is capable of appreciating, and to a limited extent 

 of reproducing this beauty, and since it is highly improbable that it 

 has been created solely for his gratification, — we are irresistibly led 

 to the conclusion that it is the product of an intellect alike in kind 

 but immeasurably grander than his own. 



Lest anyone should think me indifferent to the higher conceptions 

 of the Creator given us by religion, I may say that I have purposely 

 avoided saying anything on so sacred a subject, which belongs to 

 another sphere of thought, and about which any remarks here would 

 be out of place. 



Huyton Park, 



Liverpool. 



KEMINISCENCES OF BURNT WOOD, STAFFORDSEIIRE. 



By Joseph Chappell. 



Read before the Lancashire and Cheshire Entomological Society, February 



25th, 1884. 



About 1850 I was informed that there were extensive woods at or 

 near Ashley, which have since become known as Burnt Wood. At that 

 time I knew very little about entomology, although I ventured to 

 explore them. My time being very limited, and Whitsuntide being 

 the only period that I have a week to spare, I packed up my collecting 

 apparatus and started en route for Burnt Wood, about fifty miles — a 

 pleasant walk at that time. I arrived at Ashley late in the evening, in 

 consequence of loitering to admire the scenery, and to devote a little 

 time to entomology. Early next morning I entered Burnt Wood, 

 where Thecla rubt was skipping about the banks very abundantly ; 

 Argynnis Selene and Euphrosyne were sailing about the open glades ; 



