VARIATION. 
197 
finer of the two, and here I may remark that it is the result of 
only one season’s experiment. 
Now it cannot be doubted that, under the influence of the 
long continuance of dry weather and hot sunshine, the species 
is rapidly developing a local variety, and it appears to me to be 
a case to illustrate how careful we should be when describing 
varieties, to note the conditions under which they were evolved, 
especially when the species under more favourable conditions 
rapidly reverts to the typical colours. Perhaps similar experi- 
ments conducted with the British “ Carpet Moths ” would 
enlighten us further on the subject. But I leave entomologists 
to draw conclusions from their own experiments, whether 
certain forms of variation are due to heredity, to seasonable 
derangement or artificial environment. The cases cited appear 
to me to be due to the former, borne from their zone of origin. 
If we consider the immense duration of time of the earlier 
geological epochs and their uniform conditions of temperature, 
we may form a fairly accurate idea of the origin and stability of 
the colours of insects. In any light we study the question, the 
value of the results would be greatly enhanced by a series of 
sound experiments conducted in close imitation of natural 
conditions, and especially bearing in mind the more important 
object in view. 
Ashburton, N.Z. Ju 7 te, 1891. 
Variation. 
Black Varieties of Boarmia roboraria and Liparis monacha. 
— When at Mr. Edmonds’ extensive larvae breeding-ground at Windsor, 
I saw, among a number of good things, some very dark Boarmia robo- 
raria, and several black Liparis monacha (which emerged while I was 
there), and amongst them a black female with only a few white specks 
near the thorax. I also heard of some black specimens of Vanessa io 
having been bred, though not then in Mr. Edmonds’ possession. I may 
safely say that any one taking the trouble to go through these grounds 
will be amply repaid for doing so. — D. II. S. Steuart, Royal College 
of Science, South Kensington, S.W. 
Leucania unipuncta var. asticta. — I find there is in the Museum 
here a specimen of Z. miipuncta referable to the form asticta, Tutt. The 
spot at the base of the reniform is not quite obsolete, but it is of the 
same colour as the wing instead of being white. This specimen was 
taken in Jamaica by Mr. J. J. Bowrey. — T. D. A. Cockerell, Institute 
of Jamaica, Kingston, Jam lira. At/gf-st 10th, 1891. 
