Physiologic Observations on Yellow Obesity in the Mouse

In our colony, yellow obese mice were longer than nonobese littermates and yellow males were heavier than yellow females. Weight gain was greatest on high fat diets. If the yellow mice were given a possibility to exercise (activity cages), they lost weight. Resistance to cold was good. Fasted blood glucose levels were normal, fed levels frequently elevated in males. Yellow male and female mice showed a degree of insulin resistance; yellow males showed a marked hyperglycemic response to growth hormone, ACTH, cortisone, and glucagon. Blood total lipids were elevated in yellow mice, with the females exhibiting hypercholesterolemia. As in other forms of ‘metabolic’ obesity, blood ketones were decreased by an 18 hours fast.

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES ON BUTTERFLIES, LARVÆ, ETC

1. An albino male Colias Philodice.I received this example from Mr. H. E. Wilford, of Batavia, N.Y., last fall. Mr. Scudder, Butt. N.E., p. 1285, says:-“Instances of albinism are confined, so far as we yet know, to the Rhodoceridi” (which term he uses to include Colias, under his name of Eurymus). “and to the female sex.” In colour this male is white, with no tint of yellow; the borders of both wings are of median width, and solid—in all respects like the usual border of the yellow male.

NOTES ON PIERIS RAPÆ

The April number of the Entomologist contains a commnunication from my esteemed friend Mr. S. H. Scudder, with reference to the yellow male variety of this species. In it he asks several questions which I shall endeavour to answer, adding some other particulars to make my notes as complete as possible.I think that entomologists will agree with me in considering P. rapæas one of the most interesting insects existing on this continent, not only with refercnce to its destructive habits, but also on account of its recent introduction and rapid dissemination over the country.