14 
THE entomologist’s record. 
here? Looking at Mr. Scudder’s plates, I see, that what I consider 
natural genera, as Colias, Argynms, Limenitis^ etc., have each their 
own type of these organs. It is not to be supposed that they are cast 
in moulds like so many iron pots ; and knowing that every other organ 
varies, we have the right to believe that the genitalia vary also. How 
much, is the question. In the plates the figures are not drawn to a 
uniform scale, and the organs are differently exposed, probably drawn 
as they had dried. Some seem to have shrunk in the drying, others 
perhaps are done from green subjects, and are full and plump. But 
taking them as they stand : on pi. 33 all these species of Limenitis seem 
to be essentially alike, and I apprehend that the variation between 
them is no greater than would be found between individuals of each. 
So the three Argynm'ds, ailaniis^ cybele and aphrodite are essentially 
alike. Grapta progne cannot be distinguished from G. comijia^ 
though they belong to different .sub-groups, while G. faunus differs 
conspicuously from coni77ia^ though these two belong to the 
same sub-group, and can be but one remove from a common 
ancestor. On pi. 35, the three Co/ias, mterior, philodice and 
eurythe77ie^ are as like as three marrowfats. My friends, why 
are things thus ? If the test is not infallible it is not to be trusted. If 
it fails anywhere it may fail often. Now, on page 329, under the head 
of Grapta mterrogatioTiis^ we read these words: — ‘ The two forms (of 
this species, to wit, fabricii and u77ihrosa) differ so greatly OTid so 
coTistantly from each other, not only in the colouring but in the form 
of the wings, a7id everi m the abdo77imal appendages (the genitalia), that 
they have been corisidered disthict species I ’ That is, if they had not, by 
breeding from the egg, been proved to be one species by the evidence 
of the genitalia, they would be considered as two ! It seems to me 
this settles at once and for all the value of these organs as • tests of 
species. The study of them may amuse an idle hour, the drawings of 
them are very pretty, but that they are of any value so far as concerns 
closely related species does not appear.” — J. W. Tutt. 
Sports in Venation. — Mr. A. B. Cordley in Ento77i. News, vol. i., 
p. 88, records two specimens of the Hymenopteron Nomada 77iaculata, 
Cress., w^hich had only two submarginal cells, the first transverse cubital 
nervure being obliterated in both anterior wings ; also a specimen of 
No7nada wibricata in which the same peculiar modification occurs. 
Mr. Cordley also records one specimen of a species of Colletes, 
and one of a species of Andrena which have three submarginal 
cells to one anterior wing, but only two to the other. Mr. E. T. 
Cresson records a specimen of No77iada 77iaculata with the first trans- 
verse cubital nervure obliterated in one anterior wing, but not in both. 
He also adds: — “Such ‘sports ’are frequent among the saw-flies, but 
rare among bees.” — J. W. Tutt. Jtme, 1890. 
Fecundation before or after Hybernation. — Each year, during 
the months of September, October, and November, I find in a cave on 
Mont Saleve, near Geneva, a beautiful geometer, Triphosa subaudiata, 
Dup. It is known that this species hybernates, and reappears in April 
and May of the following year, exactly like its congener Triphosa dubi- 
tata. I have strong reasons for believing that copulation in these two 
species takes place regularly only in spring, although I have not proved 
the fact myself. I think that it is so, not only because an analogy in 
