Open AccessA further induction of melanism in the lepidopterous Insect, S elenia biiunaria esp., and its inheritance
Author(s) -
J. W. Heslop Harrison
Publication year - 1928
Publication title -
proceedings of the royal society of london. series b, containing papers of a biological character
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2053-9185
pISSN - 0950-1193
DOI - 10.1098/rspb.1928.0009
Subject(s) - possession (linguistics) , lepidoptera genitalia , pupa , inheritance (genetic algorithm) , manganese , larva , chemistry , biology , philosophy , botany , organic chemistry , genetics , linguistics , gene
The subject of the experimental induction of melanism in the Lepidoptera, by feeding the larvæ of the species employed on food artificially charged with manganese or lead salts, has already been discussed in a former paper (Harrison and Garrett, 1926). However, as was definitely indicated in the concluding sentences of that contribution, the work left it quite an open question whether one had to look upon the metal or the acid radical in the compound supplied, as the active agent in bringing about the induction. Recognising this, we stated that further researches were contemplated on similar lines at an early date, to settle the matter. A few months after the conclusion of the earlier work I came into possession of an adequate supply of pupae of Selenia biiunaria (the Early Thorn), collected in the mountain district between Saxony and Czechoslovakia, and I determined to commence the work at once, restricting the investigation to the effects of the metal manganese. Since the manganese salt -used in the former investigation had been the sulphate, in the newer experiments recourse was made to the chloride.