492 
BIONOMIC NOTES 
In 1905 I had the pleasure of travelling with Dr. Dixey in South 
Africa, and shortly after our return he communicated to the Society 
the results of our observations in that country. His papers 1 deserve 
very careful study. They call for one remark from me, and that is 
this: considering the difficulty of the subject it is quite remarkable 
how closely we agreed in the great majority of cases; where we 
differed our very differences proved the honesty and independence of 
our observations. There is no question in my mind that Dr. Dixey’s 
olfactory organ is keener than mine to detect an odour, it is also 
more discriminating to analyze its nature, and his better memory of 
scents enables him to draw more accurate comparisons than I can. 
Although Dr. Dixey’s endeavours to preserve scents have met 
with some success, it nevertheless remains true that the greater part 
of the evidence for their existence takes this form: “ On such and 
such an occasion, I, A.B., examined such and such a butterfly, and 
detected an odour, which seemed to me at the time to resemble such 
and such an odour, with which I was more or less familiar.” 
Under these circumstances it is obviously desirable that we 
should have more investigators, more witnesses. 
At this stage of the investigation it seems well to bring together 
all the evidence, in brief, arranged systematically as the insects 
stand in our cabinets. Wherever I am not personally responsible, 
in whole or in part, for the statements made, I have placed the 
paragraph in square brackets [ ]. This does not, of course, suggest 
that such observations are inferior in value to the others, but avoids 
the constant repetition of the observer’s name. 
During the last few years, it has been my privilege to have 
somewhat unusual opportunities of pursuing this matter, so I 
venture to offer some suggestions as to the modus operandi. 
Observations may be made in the field, if there be not too much 
wind; but better results are often obtained indoors; it is, however, 
essential that these should be made before the insects become stiff. I 
find it best to take up the insect with forceps in such a way that 
by gentle pressure on the sides of the thorax the wings may be made 
to open, so that the nose may be brought quite close to their upper 
surface. A gentle inhalation gives better results than a sniff. If 
no scent be detected, it is well to exhale gently on to the butterfly’s 
wings, and then try again. If after repeating this three or four 
times no result is obtained, a camel’s-hair pencil (which must be 
clean) may be applied to the brands, tufts, or other special structures. 
1 Dixey, Proc. Ent. Soc. Loud,, 1905, pp. liv.-lix.; also ibid., 1906, pp. ii.-vii. 
