i88 3 .] 
223 
Epping Forest . 
world is to be found mainly among such groups as inhabit, 
dwell among, or feed upon flowers and fruits. He considers 
that every creature naturally comes to admire the objects 
from which it derives its nutriment. The tastes thus formed 
would then, through the medium of sexual selection, gra- 
dually aCt upon the species until those splendid colours were 
produced which we now so much admire in birds and in- 
serts. Exception has already been taken to this hypothesis 
from several points of view. But it seems that the brilliant 
flora of the Alps, taken in connection with its sombre inseCt 
fauna, is the most serious objection yet brought forward. * 
The Alpine Lepidoptera and Hymenoptera, visiting and de- 
riving their supply of honey and pollen from a brighter flora 
than that of the plains, should, if Mr. Grant Allen’s theory 
be true, surpass their lowland representatives in gayness of 
colouration. That the contrary rule should prevail seems 
fatal to the hypothesis in question. 
VI. EPPING FOREST: A CONGRATULATION 
AND A WARNING. 
OLT is rarely indeed that the proceedings of Parliament 
All claim our attention. We must, however, take leave 
to express the satisfaction which will be felt by all 
naturalists at the recent defeat of the proposed branch of 
the Great Eastern Railway from Chingford to High Beech. 
Lord Claud Hamilton’s sneer at the “ butterfly hunters ” 
has been answered by a majority of 120 votes. For the 
rejection of this piece of wanton intrusion and spoliation 
we are in no small degree indebted to the watchfulness and 
devotion of^ Mr. R. Meldola, F.R.A.S., who has communi- 
cated with the Natural History Societies of London and 
the suburbs, and brought their united influence to a focus. 
His most able address on this subject, delivered before the 
“ Essex Field Club ” on February 24th and reprinted in the 
“ Essex Times,” has made a deep impression. 
It would be, indeed, difficult to find a project: with less 
