On a true parthenogenesis in moths and bees; a contribution to the history of reproduction in animals

which had been previously overlooked, have been brought to light, very different claims are made upon those observations, by which it is to be decided, whether an egg which has arrived at development was or was not fecundated.For this reason I was not to be blamed if I made my first ap- pearance as a sceptic, and submitted this subject to an exami- nation corresponding with the present fundamental laws of Physiology.The results of this examination, contrary to expectation, have furnished the proof: 1. that a Lucina sine con- cubitu does exist; and 2. that this does not merely start up here and there accidentally, as was formerly supposed, but that it occupies its perfectly definite position in nature.It is true that it still remains concealed from us, according to what laws and under what motives this remarkable mode of reproduction has obtained the place assigned to it in the history of reproduction.In these investigations, to which I have devoted the careful study of many years, I was very readily and disinterestedly assisted by various naturalists, who, partly by providing me with the materials necessary for such investigations and observations, but partly also by communicating their own multifarious expe- rience upon the department in question, put me in a position to obtain as wide a glance as possible over this still imperfectly explored field.