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V. Questions hearing on Specific Stability. By Francis 
Galton, D.C.L., F.K.S. 
[Read April 3rd, 1895.] 
At the suggestion of your President, 1 beg to submit 
three questions to the notice of this Society. They 
bear on a theoretical question of much importance ; 
namely, the part played in Evolution by organic 
stability."'^ 
The questions are more especially addressed to those 
who have had experience in breeding, but by no means 
to breeders only; nor are they addressed only to 
Entomologists, being equally appropriate to the followers 
of every other branch of Natural History. 
I should be grateful for replies relating to any species 
of animal or plant, whether based on personal observa- 
tion or referring to such observations by others as are 
still scattered through the wide range of periodical 
literature, not having yet found a place in standard 
works. 
The questions are for information in the 
subjects :• — 
(1) Instances of such strongly-marked peculiarities, 
whether in form, in colour, or in habit, as have 
occasionally appeared in a single or in a few 
individuals among a brood; but no record is 
wanted of monstrosities, or of such other cha- 
racteristics as are clearly inconsistent with health 
and vigour. 
(2) Instances in which any one of the above pecu- 
liarities has appeared in the broods of different 
parents. [In replying to this question, it will be 
hardly worth while to record the sudden appear- 
ance of either albinism or melanism, as both are 
well known to be of frequent occurrence.] 
TRANS. ENT. SOC. LOND. 1895.— PART I. (aPRIL.) 
following 
