( xvii ) 
Papers, etc., read. 
Mr. Francis Galton, F.E.S., read a paper entitled, Ento- 
mological Queries bearing on the question of Specific 
Stability." The Author said that the information desired 
referred to (1) Instances of such strongly marked peculiarities, 
whether in form, in colour, or in habit, as had occasionally 
appeared in a single individual, in a brood ; but no record 
was wanted of monstrosities, or of such other characteristics 
as were clearly inconsistent with health and vigour; (2) 
Instances in which any one of the above peculiarities had 
appeared in the broods of different parents. In replying 
to this question, he said it would be hardly worth while to 
record the sudden appearance of either albinism or melanism, 
as both were well known to be of frequent occurrence ; 
and, (3) Instances in which any of these peculiarly charac- 
terized individuals had transmitted their peculiarities, here- 
ditarily, to one or more generations. 
Mr. Merrifield stated that he received some yesirs ago, from 
ShefSeld, ova of Selenia illustraria, the brood from which 
produced, in addition to typical specimens, four of a dark 
bronze colour, and from these he bred a number of specimens 
of a similar colour. Dr. F. A. Dixey referred to a variety of 
the larva of Saturnia carjnni with pink tubercles. He said 
the imago bred from this larva produced larvae of which 70 
or 80 per cent, had pink tubercles. Professor Poulton said 
he had found larvae of Smerinthus ocellatus with red spots, 
and that this peculiarity had been perpetuated in their 
descendants. Mr. McLachlan, Canon Fowler, and Professor 
Meldola made some further remarks on the subject. 
Mr. G. F. Hampson read a paper by Mr. C. W. Barker 
entitled, Notes on Seasonal Dimorphism in certain species 
of Ehopalocera in Natal." Mr. Merrifield said he was of 
opinion that a record of the temperature, at different seasons, 
would be a very desirable addition to observations of seasonal 
dimorphism. Mr. Hampson said he believed that tempera- 
ture had very little to do with the alteration of forms. At 
any rate, according to his experience, in India the wet season 
form succeeded the dry season form without any apparent 
difference in the temperature. Professor Poulton remarked 
PROC. ENT. SOC. LOND., III., 1895. B 
