NATURE NOTES 
7 ^ 
the sxme direction, from east to west. Some few perhaps propagate their 
specie; on their arrival here, but as they never live to see their children, and 
none return to the home whence they came, the migratory habit or instinct 
cannot be transmitted. In most instances males alone are the migrants. The 
vast clouds of the common Gamma Moth (Phtxia gamma) that perform this 
journey over the sea, are believed to consist of males only. And in the case of 
Hibernia degolearia and Hibernia aurantiaria, which also migrate in great 
numbers, there can be no doubt about the sex, for the females are wingless. 
To this list may be added the “ Black Aicher” (Psilura monachd) Cabbage 
Butterflies, and some other British Lepidoptera. It is also interesting to know 
that entomologists need never quite despair of capturing the scarce Swallow-tail 
Butterfly {Papilio podaliriiis) on British soil. This splendid insect nowadays is 
grudgingly bestowed a place on the list of British Butterflies from not having 
occurred for sixty or seventy years. It has, however, been taken occasionally 
in Heligoland, and as it could not possibly be indigenous to so small and 
unfavourable a spot, it must have migrated there from the neighbouring continent, 
where it not infrequently occurs. Let us hope that some unusually favourable 
season may induce it to prolong its flight to the English coast. 
Why such frail creatures as insects should set out on a long and perilous journey 
to an unknown destination, whence neither they nor their offspring ever return, is 
an unsolved mystery, and completely breaks down the theory that migration is 
due to the inherited instinct or wisdom of the race. If the insects I have men- 
tioned inherit any instinct it must be the reverse of migratory, for those that 
remain in their native land would transmit to posterity a tendency to stay at 
home. 
Market Weston, Thetford. Edmund Thos. Daubeny. 
February 7, 1901. 
SELBORNE SOCIETY NOTICES. 
A t the Council Meeting held on March 19, Mrs. Percy Myles tendered her 
resignation as Librarian, owing chiefly to the work entailed as Hon. Sec. of the 
Field Club, &c. The Council accepted the resignation with regret and thanked 
Mrs. Myles for her past services. Mr. A. E. Malaher was appointed Honorary 
Librarian, and any additions to the Library will be thankfully received by him. 
The following new members have joined:- -Miss M. Harris Jones, Bourne- 
mouth ; Miss Alma E. Marsh, Bromley, Kent ; Claude Leatham, Esq., Went- 
bridge, Pontefract ; Miss E. Grace Smith, Petersfield ; Charles Bethell, Esq., 
Cheam. 
The Council beg to acknowledge with thanks the receipt of the following 
donation Frank Rollason, Esq., 15s.; and the following subscriptions over 
5s. : — Fred. Crowley, Esq., £\ is. ; Comtesse Anna Jenison, los. ; R. M. B. 
Otter-Barry, Esq., los. ; Miss C. Alston, £\ is.; J. H. Masters, Esq., los. ; 
Frank J. Brewer, Esq., 7s. 6d. ; Mrs. R. F. Sturge, 7s. 6d. ; Mrs. Farquharson 
of Ha\ighton, F.R.M.S., los. 
They have also to acknowledge with thanks the gift of an original letter by 
Gilbert White, from Sir Samuel Wilks, Bart., late President of the Royal College 
of Phjsicians. 
Council Meetings. — The next meetings of the Council will be held at 
20, Hanover Square, W., on Tue.sdays, April 2nd and i6th, and May 7th 
at 5.30 p.m. 
Annual Meeting. — As previously announced, the Annual Meeting and 
Conversazione will be held on Thursday, May 16, from 8 to 11, at the Society’s 
Rooms, 20, Hanover Square, W., the President, the Right Hon. Lord Avebury, 
D.C.L., F.R.S., &c., in the Chair. 
The Council will be glad to have the loan of suitable exhibits for the occasion, 
which will be under the direction of the following gentlemen : — Botany, Mr. L. 
