Illustrations of Exotic Entomology, Volume 1

ILLUSTRATIONS

OF

EXOTIC ENTOMOLOGY,

CONTAINING

UPWARDS OF SIX HUNDRED AND FIFTY

FIGURES AND DESCRIPTIONS

OF

FOREIGN INSECTS,

INTERSPERSED WITH

REMARKS AND REFLECTIONS ON THEIR NATURE AND PROPERTIES.

BY DRU DRURY.

A NEW EDITION,

BROUGHT DOWN TO THE PRESENT STATE OF THE SCIENCE,
WITH THE SYSTEMATIC CHARACTERS OF EACH SPECIES, SYNONYMS, INDEXES,
AND OTHER ADDITIONAL MATTER.

BY J. O. WESTWOOD, F.L.S.

SOC. CÆS. NAT. CUR. MOSQ. SOC.
ETC. ETC.

VOL. I.

LONDON:

HENRY G. BOHN, 4, YORK STREET, COVENT GARDEN.

MDCCCXXXVII.

PREFACE

TO THE PRESENT EDITION.

The acknowledged value of the figures contained in Drury's "Illustrations,"[^[1]] the extreme rarity of many of the insects figured therein, which continue up to the present day to be unique, and the scarcity of the work itself, which appears almost unknown to Continental Entomologists, having induced the proprietor of the plates to republish the work, I have consented to undertake the charge of bringing it forth in a form more adapted to the present greatly advanced state of Entomology. How far I have succeeded must be left for the candid Entomologist to decide. It is fit however that, by way of bespeaking indulgence for the numerous errors into which I fear that I have, notwithstanding all my care, fallen, I should mention the obstacles which have operated against my giving the work that perfect style which I could have wished it to possess. Of these the chief difficulty has arisen from the non-possession of the specimens which served for the original illustrations, without which it may be readily conceived that it has been impossible to ascertain with precision many of the more minute characters, of which the present state of the science requires the investigation; thus in many cases I have been obliged to remain in ignorance of the particular structure of the antennæ, trophi and legs, and the disposition of the veins of the wings, in many of the smaller species of Lepidoptera, so that the precise genera may not in some instances be correctly stated; and to many I have been compelled to attach marks of interrogation for the like reason. Another and equally strong obstacle has been produced from the little attention paid to exotic Lepidoptera by modern Entomologists. More than two-thirds of these Illustrations are illustrative of that beautiful order of insects; and yet, with the exception of some of the showy butterflies and moths, scarcely a reference is to be found even in the works of Fabricius, the personal friend of Drury, whose Entomologia Systematica, published in 1793 and 1794, contains the last general summary of the species of this order; Gmelin also, whose Systema Naturæ it has been the fashion to decry, but which, as a laborious compilation from the works of preceding and chiefly Continental authors, is of great service,[^[2]] was only acquainted with these illustrations through the early works of Fabricius.[^[3]] It is true that M. M. Boisduval and Guérin have respectively published various new exotic Lepidoptera, especially of the Nocturnal group, in the Voyages of the Coquille and Astrolabe; but we still want a general revision, not only of the species but of the genera of this order. It was to have been hoped that, as regarded the Javanese species, this would have been effected by Dr. Horsfield, whose work upon the Lepidoptera of Java, as far as published, leaves nothing to be desired of the structural details of the species illustrated therein. M. Boisduval also, in his Histoire Naturelle des Lépidoptères, has treated the subject in a masterly manner, availing himself both of the preparatory states and veining of the wings; but we greatly miss those beautiful details which render the works of Horsfield and Curtis invaluable. It is in this comparative ignorance, both of the structural and metamorphotic details of exotic Lepidoptera, that we may attribute the want of a sound and philosophical distribution of the order in question; and which at the same time prevents us from determining the situation of many remarkable and anomalous groups. Of these the genera Castnia, Urania, &c. and the whole tribe of the Zygænidæ may especially be mentioned; and it is with the view of inciting enquiry into this part of the subject, that I have introduced many of the latter species into the genus Callimorpha amongst the Nocturnal moths.

Another obstacle has been produced by the little attention paid by the Entomologists of the last century to the geographical situation of their insects; as an instance of this, it will be sufficient to mention that Linnæus and Fabricius made use of the term "In Indiis" generally, to indicate that an insect was an inhabitant either of the West or East Indies. Drury indeed appears to have paid more than the ordinary degree of attention to this part of the subject, as appears from the Catalogue of his Insects, which I obtained at the sale of Mr. Donovan's collections, to whom, as appears by a note, they were presented by Mr. Drury. Thus under Lucanus interruptus, (Genus Passalus, Fabricius,) we find the following entries:—

7.	3.	Interruptus,	Muskito Shore,	Capt. Keay,		also at Maryland, New York, Carolina, where they are very large.
8.	3.	Interruptus,	Sierra Leone,	Mr. Smeathman,
9.	3.	Interruptus,	Maryland,	Mr. Milward, 1756, Lin. Syst. p. 560, f. 4.
10.	4.	Interrupt. var.	Rio Janeiro,	Mr. Bonifas, 1775, that on the right hand from Mr. Laing, at Tobago.
12.		Interrupt. var.		Bought at Seymour's sale.

Here it is quite evident that Drury had carefully noted down the localities of all the specimens of this insect which he possessed, and which are now described as distinct species; and this extract will I think be quite sufficient to shew, that from the careful manner in which these Catalogues were kept by Mr. Drury, we are entitled to regard them, when there happens to be a difference between the works of Drury and Fabricius, Linnæus, &c. as at least of equal authority with the writings of these authors. I regret that these Catalogues did not come into my hands until after the first and second volumes of this edition were printed off. I have incorporated the notes in the third volume; and have given, as an Appendix, extracts from these Catalogues, where there happens to be any variation or doubt as to the locality of any of the species figured in the first two volumes.

I have almost invariably adopted the very proper principle of referring to that name, either generic or specific, which has the priority in point of date. In the first edition, the first volume appeared without specific names, which were at that time a novelty but recently introduced by Linnæus. In the second volume, however, an appendix was given, containing specific names both of the first and second volumes, and a similar appendix was given at the end of the third volume; but no specific names appeared in the body of the work. To many of the names contained in the appendices Fabricius referred, many he entirely omitted, and for many he substituted others. These last I have of course rejected; and have in many instances given the dates when the names were first imposed by the different authors—a plan which would be very serviceable if generally adopted. I have, likewise, made a point in many cases of restoring the specific proper names, where, in consequence of a change in the sex of the generic name, a corresponding change had been made in such specific name. This alteration had been carried to a great extent in the Encyclopédie Méthodique; and many male and female proper names had been completely altered, in order to suit them to the sex of the new genera in which they were placed. This was, however, an error on the wrong side; because it is admitted as an established principle, that if it should be thought necessary to subdivide a genus, the names of the subdivisions should be of the sex of the original generic name.

The plan upon which the first edition of this work was published may be seen from the following specimen, which is one of the shortest given, but which will be sufficient to shew not only the style of the former edition, but also the manner in which I have treated the subject and the additions which I have introduced.

Vol. I. Plate II.

The name of Papilio Eumeus was consequently proposed for this insect in the Appendix to the second volume.

Amongst the manuscripts with which I have been favoured by the relatives of Mr. Drury, or have obtained elsewhere, are comprised a variety of notes relative to the publication of this work, and of observations from which the following are selected. He notices that "his descriptions are only intended to assist the reader in ascertaining the different species; and that they are not intended to be so complete as to give a perfect idea of the animal without the help of the figure." He alludes to the difficulty not only "of ascertaining true colours or calling them by their proper names," but also of "colouring the prints so, as to exactly represent the natural specimens,"—that he has mentioned and given English names to no more parts of insects than had suited his purpose for describing them,—that "there are some parts mentioned in the descriptions which cannot be seen in the plates, such as the Gorget (Sternum), &c. which may serve not only to assist in classing them, but to ascertain their species." "The descriptions of the Hymenoptera are not intended to be so complete as to give a perfect idea of the insect, but are only given to assist the reader in observing the figures."

"All the descriptions are taken from the insects themselves; whatever defects, therefore, are to be observed in comparing them with the coloured figures must be imputed to the artist, as it would not be proper to describe them according to the prints, but to nature."—It is in consequence of this last remark that I have been careful to omit nothing of the original edition in this edition of the least importance, but have given the description as much as possible in the words of the author himself.

I have also added a general Systematic Index to the entire work, and an Alphabetic Index, in which the names employed in the first edition are distinguished by an asterisk.

The collection formed by Drury was exceedingly choice, and had occupied nearly thirty years in its formation; for although, as Drury himself says (in one of the printed circulars which he distributed with a view to its sale) "there may be in Holland collections more numerous, having in many instances a great number of a single species, yet no collection abounds with such a wonderful variety in all the different genera as this. All the specimens of which it is composed, are in the highest and most exquisite state of preservation, such an extensive collection can be supposed to be, and a very considerable number are unique, such as are not to be found in any other Cabinet whatever, and of considerable value; many of which, coming from countries exceedingly unhealthy, where the collectors, in procuring them, have perished by the severity of the climate, give but little room to expect any duplicate will ever be obtained during the present age; and the learned quotations that have been taken from it by those celebrated authors Linnæus and Fabricius, in all their late editions, are incontestable proofs of the high degrees of estimation they entertained of it."

This statement was made in 1788, when the author had consumed upwards of twenty-five years in its formation, and at which period no less a sum than £4,000. had been expended upon the collection. At this period the collection consisted of—

Subsequently great additions were made to the collection, which, as will be seen from the localities affixed to the species figured in these Illustrations was received from all parts of the world with which England at that period had intercourse. Of the earnest zeal with which this collection was made, an idea may be obtained from a copy of a letter addressed to a gentleman residing in Africa, with whom he was anxious to enter into correspondence.

London, Dec. 13th, 1766.

Sir,

My being an utter stranger to you compels me to apologize for the liberty I take in sending you this. Mr. Carghill's recommendation is the occasion of my doing so, and he has assured me of your kind disposition to oblige me in those articles that are the subject of the following lines; I must therefore inform you that I am engaged in the study of Natural History, but as the extensiveness of it in all its several parts is very great, I confine myself entirely to one single branch, and that is Insects. A branch I find fully sufficient to engage my attention without entering into any of the others, and in consequence of this I am endeavouring to obtain as large a collection of foreign ones as I possibly can; to this end I am under a necessity of getting various recommendations from my friends to gentlemen settled in foreign parts, who I must consider as the only persons that can effectually assist me in this scheme. Permit me therefore, Sir, to beg your concurrence herein, and if the highest ideas of gratitude can prompt a man to make an adequate return for any favour of this kind, be assured I shall take the earliest opportunity of manifesting mine for any thing you shall think proper to oblige me with. The great distance the continent of Africa is situated from London, the ignorance we labour under of its produce in the insect world, and the great difficulty I have found in procuring any insects from those parts, are circumstances that rather increase than blunt my desire for them; but as in the course of fourteen years I have not been able to procure any great number, I can only attribute this disappointment to my having never been able to apply to any gentleman settled there, for the persons that I have hitherto commissioned to this purpose were those that returned with the ships they went in, and I imagine their time was too short to be able to procure such things for me; but as Mr. Carghill has informed me your residence in Africa will afford you many leisure hours, permit me to indulge the hope of your complying with this request. It is necessary for me to inform you that there is no occasion for your bestowing any time of your own in this pursuit, as I imagine it might be done by people to be hired in Africa to that purpose for a very trifle; and as it is necessary I should inform you where and in what manner insects in general are to be taken, give me leave therefore to explain the use of the things I have sent for that purpose: you will observe the bows of the forceps being covered with gauze, and folding so close together as to prevent any small insect's getting out when once enclosed, constitutes a contrivance the best adapted of any thing I ever saw for that purpose, it is small enough to be carried in the pocket, and if you have curiosity enough to employ an hour in this amusement, permit me to say you will have a scene of wonders opened to you in the insect world, you will have such a number of objects of speculation present themselves, that will amaze you. When an insect is inclosed in these nets it is to be stuck through the body with a pin (I have sent some for this purpose), and in that manner placed in the box, whose top and bottom are lined with cork. Suffer me to beg of you (if you will be so obliging to procure me some of those things) to get a larger box made in Africa of soft wood, in which a pin will easily enter, and replace the insects out of the oval box now sent into that, and when filled I will entreat you to commit it to the care of a friend to be conveyed to England, giving him at the same time a charge to keep it from being tumbled about by the rolling of the ship, which will certainly damage the contents, and favouring me with a letter of advice; it is necessary to beg you to paste a slip of fine linen or paper all round the crevice and opening of the box, to prevent the cockroaches, ants, &c. getting in, who will infallibly damage and destroy the insects in it; I forgot to mention that they should not be removed out of the oval box into the great one till they are dead, because they will scratch and tear one another to pieces, therefore when the person comes home from collecting, they may be taken out singly and stuck on a piece of board or stick, and held close to the fire (not so as to burn or scorch them), and this in less than a minute will effectually kill them, afterwards they may be stuck very close together in the large box, and in that manner sent to England. I will just mention what kinds will be most acceptable, and where they are to be found, viz. beetles or insects with hard cased wings, insects with transparent wings, such as wasps, bees, waterflies, also locusts or grasshoppers, ants, fireflies, or in short any kind except cockroaches, centipedes, or scorpions, which in general are so very common they cease to be valuable—of all the other kinds there is an infinite variety, differing in size, shape, and colour, any of which will be very acceptable, either large or small; and of which, give me leave to observe, the most ugly disagreeable insects (as they appear to be) are the most desirable. They are found in various places, some on flowers, some in horse-dung or cow-dung, some under stones and logs of wood, some under the bark of trees where it separates or divides itself from the body, which by tearing up will expose many kinds to view; but no place abounds more than rotten trees, for there they hide and secrete themselves in holes among the rotten wood, and are never seen unless they are searched for. Let me here observe, that the different seasons will yield different species of insects, some being to be found in one week that were not to be seen the preceding ones, and the next will afford others differing from the former, while the succeeding one shall produce some other sorts that were not to be seen before; so that by searching for them at different times, you perceive great varieties will be collected. I must also beg you to preserve the horns of them as much as possible, as they in a great measure determine their genus, and as such should not be broke off. The insects placed in the box will serve as samples to show the person you may hire what kinds of things are meant to be collected, who for want of them might not be able to understand your instructions.

I have now, Sir, mentioned every article necessary to be known, therefore shall conclude with once more begging you to assist me in this scheme; and if there is any business, or any other thing, in which I can be serviceable to you here, I beg you would command me; but if there is nothing of that kind by which I can express my gratitude, permit me again to repeat I shall take the first opportunity of making a return fully adequate to your favour.

I am, Sir, with great respect, your most obedient servant,

D. Drury,

At No. 1. in Love Lane, Aldermanbury,

London.

P. S. I forgot to mention that when you employ an agent to collect insects, please to tell him it is not the great number but the variety that I desire, six or eight being enough of any one species.

Subsequently, this fine collection came to the hammer, on Thursday, May 23, 1805, and the two following days. A few of the more interesting lots, with the prices obtained for them, and the names of the purchasers, are given below as an interesting record.

The total amount obtained for the Insects was £614. 8s. 6d.; and about £300. more for the Cabinets, Books, &c. with the Copper-plates of the Illustrations.

Of the estimation in which the works and collections of Drury were held by Linnæus, Fabricius, &c. the constant references (especially by the latter) made to them, will sufficiently prove. The former dedicated a fine species of Cimex to Drury, figured in the first volume of these Illustrations, pl. [42]. f. 1. 5.; whilst the latter described an American species of Stenocorus from Drury's collection, under the name of St. Drurii (Ent. Syst. 1. 2. p. 302.) and also a Danish Tinea under the name of T. Drurella. The Rev. W. Kirby also in his Monograph upon the English Bees, has named a rare species belonging to the modern genus Eucera, Apis Drurella, with the remark—"In honorem D. Drury, operis entomologici splendidissimi auctoris, cujus museum insectorum rarissimorum undique conquisitorum gazophylacium ditissimum, hanc apem ab illo acceptam nominavi." (Mon. Ap. Angl. 2. p. 286.)

That Drury was in correspondence with these "Heroes Scientiæ" will therefore be unquestioned; and the following letter from the younger Linnæus, communicated to me by the relatives of the former is interesting not only on this account, but for the curious statement relative to the Œstrus humanus then recently discovered in South America.

Celeberrimo Viro D. Drury.

S. pl. d.

Carolus a Linne.

Dum post mortem dilectissimi parentis occupatus fui in redigendo naturalia ab illo in Syst. Nat. nondum determinata, et ut his nomenclaturam pro scientia naturali maxime necessariam continuarem, maxime sollicitus fui illa, quantum mihi possibile foret, synonymis ex præstantioribus auctoribus scientiæ illustrare, imprimis illorum qui pulcherrimis individuorum figuris sint ornati. Tu, Vir Celeberrime, es ex illis, qui in Insectis pulcherrima præstitisti; ex Tuo opere volumina habeo duo, quæ in hereditario cum reliqua Bibliotheca[^[4]] Parentis habeo; sed an tertius termes s. plures post secundum prodiere est quod ignoro, et de qua re rogarem tuam informationem? et si prodiere ubi inveniuntur? et quo prætio? Amicitiam quam erga Parentem habuisti, spero hanc filiolo permittere licentiam. Optandum esset a Te in his majorem videre augmentum, requirunt insecta figuras; nam vix differentiis determinanda sunt. Insecta australioris plaga mundi a Banksio et Forsteriis indagata, pulcherrime et utilissime pro scientia methodo Tua illustrari possent. Utinam facere vellis, immortalitatem Tuam conservaret scientia hæc!

Ego qui nunc novam paro editionem Zoologicam Syst. Nat.[^[5]] summam in insectis sentio difficultatem ita exprimere, ut aliis intelligas quod tam facile figuris lævatur. Multa præstitit noster De Geer de Insectis, sed majora adhuc præstitisset, si figuræ vivis coloribus ornatæ fuissent. Quis Entomologus est alius apud vos qui collectionem Insectorum possidet ex India occidentali, si quis esset qui desideraret insecta Suecica lubenter Illi ea præstare vellem.

Nuper litteras habui ex America Meridionali ubi morbus endemius est hominum etiam Europeos aggredit illuc venientes quæ causatur a larva Œstri, quæ intra cutem per integrum annum cœlatus et nullo remedio expelli potest nisi periculo vitæ; est nova species Œstri.

Sed hic vale et mihi fave.

Dabam Upsaliæ, d. 10 Mart. 1780.

To Mr. D. Drury, Goldsmith in the Strand, in London.

My late friend A. H. Haworth, Esq. thus spoke of Drury and his works in the year 1807. "In the year 1770 we arrive at the time of publication of a beautiful work on Entomology, that of my late and regretted friend D. Drury, F.L.S. in one vol. 4to. printed at London, and containing comprehensive descriptions in English and French, with an Index of Linnæan names at the end, and a great many coloured copper-plates of such interesting exotic Insects, as had not been before or insufficiently figured. The icons were executed by Moses Harris, in his best style; and are far superior to any of their predecessors in Britain.

"It is also unquestionably the first work in this country in which the trivial names of Linnæus are suffered to make their appearance, and although only given in the shape of an index, their extensive value throws a lustre on the utility of the work, which, unaided by them, would not have reached a second volume, published in 1773, and a third in 1782; and even a fourth would have appeared if the author had lived much longer;[^[6]] as he himself assured me, some time prior to his decease; wherein would have been delineated some of the gigantic and extraordinary insects of Demerara, in which remote territory he had successfully employed a collecting agent. Mr. Drury's Cabinet was one of the most extensive ever made; and is said to have contained, in species and varieties, the surprising number of 11,000 insects. He spared neither pains nor cost in getting them together, and like Petiver of old, sent printed instructions, in various languages, all over the world for that purpose, by captains of ships and others.

"Soon after his decease, at an advanced age, which happened about two years since, his valuable collection was disposed of in London, by public auction."—(Trans. Ent. Soc. Vol. I. 1807. p. 34.)

The decease of Mr. Dru Drury occurred on the 15th of January, 1804, at the age of eighty, and he was buried at the parish church of St. Martins in the Fields.

J. O. W.

MR. DRURY'S PREFACE

TO THE FIRST EDITION.

VOL. I.

It is universally allowed that the study of nature is one of the most pleasing employments that can engage the mind of man. The entertainment it affords is as infinite as the variety of subjects of which it is composed; and such a vast field of speculation lies open to our view, either in the animal, vegetable, or mineral worlds, that each of them is fully sufficient to engross the attention of a single person. It must be allowed, that the study of natural history is so far from having attained that degree of perfection it might have done, by the assiduity of the curious, that it cannot, at present, be considered as having attained its meridian; and the slow manner in which it arrived even to that, has subjected us very much to the reflections of foreigners; many of whom appear surprised, that a nation, not inferior to others in every branch of science and knowledge, should discover so great a want of curiosity, and little attention to a study that has been productive of so many advantages to mankind, and probably, may hereafter produce many more. Certainly, such opportunities for improvement never presented themselves in this kingdom, as in the present age. All corners of the world are visited by our ships; the remotest shores of Europe, Asia, Africa, and America, are not unknown to our countrymen; but feel the effects of that insatiable thirst for traffic and gain, that animates the present generation. Every lover, therefore, of this study must naturally hope, that such noble occasions of increasing the knowledge of nature, may not be neglected. It is indeed true, that the number of its votaries, in England, are but few, in proportion to other states, where professorships and societies are established under the patronage and protection of the chief personages: yet if we consider it as affording an inconceivable fund of entertainment to its followers, it is rather to be wondered it is not more encouraged and propagated among us, than that we should find a few who have resolution enough to judge for themselves, and follow a study that is always new and always pleasing. The sneers and contempt thrown on it by men of narrow minds, who are impatient at hearing of persons bestowing their time in collecting a plant, an insect, or a stone, may perhaps contribute not a little to prevent its progress; but whatever character may be stamped, either upon the study, or its professors, by such persons; it is certain, none but men fit to be placed in the first rank, have usually philosophy enough to prompt them to make enquiries into the works of nature. To some the task appears too arduous, to others too intricate, and to the generality too trifling; who are apt to look with contempt on every pursuit that does not coincide with their own opinions; nor must we, from vulgar minds, expect any conclusions in its favour: with these, a horse, a dog, or a cock, seem to bound the utmost limits of their gratifications. But men of refined tastes will judge otherways. They know that the inexhaustible store of entertainment nature affords in the contemplation of her works, is unbounded. It is not to be enjoyed all at once; the more we pursue, the more we shall possess, in proportion as we manifest a greater or less ardour. Nor is the serene placid enjoyment found therein, to be measured by the common gratifications of sense; as these often leave stings behind that worry the soul, and subvert the end they intended to promote; while the other offers to us its friendly aid, replete with happiness, health, and peace. And further, if the contemplation of the works of the Sovereign Architect, tends to promote that serious and attentive state of mind which disposes men to the pursuit of virtue, in order to be happy; and if the knowledge and practice of virtue are the means of supporting the mind through all the difficult passages and rugged paths of life; the naturalist bids as fair to be happy as any of the human race. His pleasures are not chequered by remorse, or damped by despair; his pursuits leave no horrors on the mind, or clash with the duty he owes his Maker, his neighbour, or his prince; his conscience suffers not for the indulgence of his mind, nor has repentance need to stalk behind him with an uplifted arm, for injustice committed on his fellow-creatures; on the contrary, it is for them ultimately his labours are pursued, for them he inquires into the various arcana of nature; every part of the earth is searched for their benefit, and its bowels are torn out and examined for their advantage.

On the other hand, if we consider natural history as connected with religion, we shall find them so interwoven and blended together as not to be separated. In this view we shall find it the best adapted for opening the mind, enlarging its conceptions, and giving us the most exalted ideas of the Deity, of any science whatever, astronomy not excepted, whose study, however noble it may be thought, tends not more to the same improvement; for certainly the power, wisdom, and goodness of the Almighty are as conspicuous in the smallest objects, as those of the first magnitude, if great and little be only relative terms. If, therefore, natural history is able to accomplish this, nothing surely can afford a more effectual cure for infidelity. For whoever heard of a naturalist being an atheist? or of an infidel, who had spent his life in studying and observing the works of nature? I believe none will hesitate to pronounce the man, who has made any considerable progress in this study, and who could entertain thoughts so injurious to the honour of his Maker, to be a more wonderful being than any that ever went before him.

The train of reflections that arise from these considerations, is greater than is consistent with the plan I have prescribed to myself in these pages. If the reader is desirous of being further informed of the uses and advantages of natural history, I shall refer him to Stillingfleet's Tracts, taken from the Amœnitates Academicæ, published at Upsal; where he may be acquainted with many curious and interesting particulars, which I have not room to insert here; my speculations having been confined to one single branch (insects) I shall only mention such observations relative thereto as may be proper for an introduction of this kind.

Insects may, with great truth, be considered as a rank of beings so wonderful and extraordinary, as to strike with astonishment every observer, if we regard either their structure, powers, or use; and creatures, who, at the same time that they challenge our regard, loudly proclaim the wisdom, goodness, and omnipotence of their great Creator. If their shape and beauty are capable of attracting our notice, their ways of living are no less adapted for exciting our admiration; and the more we enquire into their nature and history, the more occasion we shall find for confessing this great truth, "nothing is created in vain." The wondrous manner in which numbers of them pass their lives, during their first states, is unknown to the greater part of mankind. Most people, indeed, know that a Caterpillar produces a Butterfly; but thousands of persons do not know that a Caterpillar is a Butterfly in disguise, as Dr. Lister ingeniously observes,[^[7]] and as Swammerdam[^[8]] proved to the great Duke of Tuscany, by stripping off the external skins, and displaying the butterfly concealed beneath them. Many persons are ignorant that plants (even of the most poisonous nature) are the beloved and favourite food of some species of insects, and that what is wholesome and nourishing to one, is pernicious and destructive to another. Who would believe that the hard substance of the soundest Oak was capable of being macerated by an insect, and received into its stomach as food? that it should there yield a proper nutriment for its growth, and that nothing but a substance as hard and firm as that could possibly contribute to the creature's health and increase? Who would imagine that a colony of Ants, an insect so contemptible in size, considered singly, were capable of making animals, of considerable bulk and strength, retreat from them as from a formidable enemy?[^[9]] Who would suspect that numbers of insects are appointed to live, during the greatest part of their lives, within the bodies of other animals, many of whom receive no material injury thereby; some become frantic and diseased, and others are doomed to perish, and by their deaths give birth to these their inbred enemies? Who, that is a stranger to natural history, would believe that there are insects destined to live in the waters many months, where their principal employment is the destruction of animals less than themselves, on whom they feed and thrive, till they become inhabitants of the air, when their lives are terminated in a few weeks, perishing by the depredations of old age, if they are lucky enough to escape the power of other animals stronger than themselves? Yet such are the truths existing in nature; truths known to every one conversant with this study. In short, there is no part of the kingdom of nature, where so many wonders are unfolded to us, as in this of insects.

Nor are they to be considered in that contemptible light in which the generality of mankind are apt to place them. We are too prone to think every thing noxious and unnecessary, if we are not fully acquainted with its use. "The poor Beetle that we tread on," serves to fill up an order of beings, as useful and proper in the economy of nature, as that of a partridge or a hare, whose preservation and increase we are so solicitous for. Many others, whose very sight create the most disagreeable sensations, are not less useful and proper, under the same predicament. The carcases of dead animals, which, when putrid, send forth a most nauseous stench, would remain so for a great length of time, were it not for the various kinds of Flesh Flies, who, by depositing their eggs there, help to consume it very quickly, and prevent a continuance so offensive to our nostrils and health. Many kinds of insects are to be found here in England, in great plenty, who, it is highly probable, by a close enquiry into their natures might be rendered very serviceable to us, either mediately or immediately. The blue Dung Beetle (Scarabæus Stercorarius of Linnæus) found in great plenty in July, under horse-dung and cow-dung, it is not unlikely may yield effects, either in medicine or dyeing, that at present we are ignorant of. It is certain, it abounds with salts that are strong and pungent; but the examination of them must be left to time, and the enquiry of some ingenious person.

The Meloe Proscarebeus of Linnæus, or English Oil Beetle, described by Moffat, lib. i. cap. 23., also by Godartius in Lister's translation, number 120. yields an oil by expression in considerable quantity, which is used in Sweden, with the greatest success, in the cure of the rheumatism, by bathing the afflicted part. Of this I have been well assured by an ingenious physician who resided there. Might not the same effects be expected from it here as there? Its virtues, I imagine, are not confined to a single country; nor can I suppose the different situations of them will prevent its being equally efficacious here as in Sweden. However, it is certainly worth while to make the experiment.[^[10]]

The Cantharides or Spanish Flies, is a species of insect every one has heard of. They are brought us from abroad, and used medicinally; but principally to raise blisters. For these we pay great sums of money to foreign countries: but a proper examination into the nature of insects might save us the necessity of doing so; for let me not be disbelieved, when I say this very species of the cantharides is found in England.[^[11]] Might not, therefore, a close inquiry into the subject, spare us the trouble and expense of applying to foreigners for this article? But are the medicinal virtues of the cantharides confined entirely to that species? Is there none other found in England, answering the same purpose, which we might have by seeking for? If I am not mis-informed, there is. The Musk Beetle, or Cerambix Moschata of Linnæus, is found on the bodies of willow-trees in the month of July, or sooner, if the weather is favourable. This insect, I have been confidently informed by an eminent surgeon (the late Mr. Guy) who tried it, has the same virtues, and produces the same effects as the cantharides; being capable, when properly prepared, of procuring a strong blister in as short a space of time as the other. Whether there is not other insects to be found in this kingdom, whose properties, when examined, might be found similar to the cantharides, is a matter that time only will clear up.

I cannot here pass unmentioned the effects of ants, whose volatile effluvia, arising from their colonies or nests is so great, that a hand rubbed thereon, and applied immediately to the nose of a fainting person, exhilarates and refreshes equal to the spirit of hartshorn, or what is called sal volatile.

Such are the known medicinal uses of insects; and under the article of clothing they serve us in a more conspicuous manner. To many thousands of persons they afford the means of living with comfort and happiness. Even kings are indebted to them for their grandest garments. Immense fortunes have been procured, by their means, to persons in trade, and the great number of people who daily subsist by manufacturing silk, either by spinning, weaving, or dyeing it, have the greatest reason to thank Providence for the institution of this insect. To the last, the Cochineal (Coccinella Cacti of Linnæus) affords him the power of giving our silks and cloths the most beautiful and lasting colours; being without it unable to produce such proofs of his ingenuity; not to mention many other occasions wherein this insect is peculiarly serviceable. Nor is there any part of the world where they do not directly, or secondarily, serve mankind for food. In every kingdom of the earth, where they are to be found, shrimps, prawns and crabs are eaten by all ranks and degrees of people, if animal food is allowed them; and our cray-fish or lobsters must not be excluded from the same order. The Locust represented in Plate [50]. Fig. 2. is eaten by many tribes, and, I may say, nations of people, in Asia and Africa. These animals are frequently driven from their native soils, by strong winds, into foreign countries, where, for several days together, by their inconceivable numbers, they obscure the light of the sun, and make the inhabitants tremble for their vegetables. It is at those times the Asiatics and Africans gather them, and eat them with much delight, dressing them, either by stewing, or frying them with oil; they also pickle and sell them publicly in some of the markets of the Levant, and many other parts.

The caterpillar belonging to Fig. 1. of Plate [38]. which I have mentioned in my description of that insect to be eaten in the West Indies, and considered as a dainty, is sought for by those persons who are admirers of that food, in the most diligent manner; and I have been informed, by gentlemen of undoubted veracity, that so exceedingly delighted are they with it, as to employ negroes on no other business but to go into the woods on purpose to procure these caterpillars, by digging them out of the bodies of certain trees, the only places where they are to be found. Perhaps the cossi of the Romans, a kind of food we are told they were much delighted with, might be a species not much unlike this; however that be, these are considered as amply recompensing, by their delicious flavour, the pains taken to procure them.

Honey is a substance known to every one, and the agreeable liquor made from it, which in some countries serves the inhabitants for their constant drink, is not to be procured but by the industry of the agile bee.

In fine, the limits of this preface will not permit me to dwell minutely, and point out the benefits mankind does, and may receive, by the institution of this order of animals. I shall again refer my reader to the book I mentioned before, "Stillingfleet's Tracts;" where he will find these and many other advantages I have not mentioned, treated of in a most ingenious manner; being the observations of some of the greatest men of the university of Upsal in Sweden; for this reason, therefore, I shall consider this subject no farther, but proceed to describe the plan of the work; wherein, if the reader expects to find the insects classed in systematic order, as well as represented, he will be greatly disappointed. It is not my present design to enter into the scientific part of the study, by arranging the insects according to any system now established; nor will the reader find that I have given a single name to any one here figured. This, indeed, must be the consequence of not following the system of any author, unless I had formed one of my own; for it is impossible I should give names to them, particularly trivial ones, without doing one or the other. The calling an insect by the general appellation of moth, butterfly, &c. I cannot consider as derogatory to what I have said. Hence I flatter myself I shall avoid all occasion for reflection by the disciples of different authors, in not following the method established by others; and, therefore, my desire of giving no room for exceptions of this kind, has induced me to follow no one whatever. By this, also, I have left it in the power of every person to class them according to his own fancy; and, as every one has thus an opportunity of following his favourite author, none, I hope, will object to a method, that will put it in his power of indulging his own inclination.

I must here inform my readers, that this work can by no means be considered as a complete one. The most transitory view will confirm this. Nor can I take any merit to myself by its publication, unless the great care that has been taken to give just and accurate figures of the subjects, in which the different generical characters, according to the several authors I am acquainted with, are truly represented, will entitle me to any.

Indeed, the many opportunities I have had of observing the great tendency all kinds of insects have to perish and decay, particularly moths and butterflies, first gave me the hint of preserving them from oblivion, by thus delineating them on paper. For these last are of such tender and delicate natures, that however pleasing and agreeable they may be to our sight, they are not easily to be preserved with all their gay and striking plumage. Our utmost care can only secure them to us a few years; and if they are exposed to air or sunshine, we are quickly robbed of them; the latter being capable, in a few months, of entirely destroying their colours, and the first in as short a space, will totally consume every part of them, leaving nothing behind but a little dust.

Hence it is, I have been induced to give figures of foreign insects. In prosecuting which, the reader will find many that have never been described by any author; and if the rescuing them by this method from the ravages of time, if the delight and amusement arising from contemplating subjects of this kind, or if an attempt to promote and encourage this branch of natural history meets with the encouragement I hope for, I must assure the public, no labour on my side shall be wanting to render it complete, by adding future volumes, as the subjects I should receive from abroad, and my own leisure, will enable me to do; and this, I flatter myself, I shall be able to accomplish by the means of a few ingenious gentlemen situated in different parts of the world, whose correspondence I am honoured with, and by whose assistance I shall be able to give sometimes a tolerable history of an insect, or as much of it as has fallen within their observation; by which means, new subjects of speculation, some unnoticed circumstances in insect life, may arise, that cannot fail of being an acceptable embellishment. But I must observe, such pieces of information cannot be expected to be numerous; for the difficulty of procuring the natural history of foreign insects is so exceedingly great, that it is better conceived than described. Few persons, who visit foreign countries, have curiosity sufficient to prompt them to make such observations, or indeed any enquiry, into the works of nature. The desire of acquiring wealth, by the means of trade, is the grand motive that induces them to leave their native country; observations in natural history being generally quite foreign to their thoughts; the desire of extending their commerce, and making their fortunes, taking entire possession of their minds, and swallowing up every other consideration. Thus, we see, it is not from such persons we must expect any improvements tending to promote this study; it is only from men of a liberal and ingenious turn of mind, settled there, that we can hope to have any information of the state of nature in distant regions; and the scarcity of such men I have found to be exceeding great. For these reasons the reader must not expect to find the caterpillar and chrysalis of every insect represented. It is sufficient if I am able to give figures of many exotics that have hitherto been unknown. The natural history, the forms of the caterpillars, ways of life, haunts, &c. can, in such cases, be known only to persons living on the spot, and who have speculation enough to observe them. Whenever I receive such pieces of information, they shall, certainly, not be withheld from the public.

When I first engaged in the business of describing the different insects that compose the following work, I found myself surrounded with difficulties of so unexpected a nature, that I had more than once entertained thoughts of postponing, if not totally relinquishing so arduous a task. Nothing but the strong desire I had of promoting the study of natural history, could have led me to overcome a sense of my own incapacity of writing with that precision, which the public eye demands; and, therefore, I have reason to hope for the candid allowance of the ingenious, to faults, which might, perhaps, escape from the pen of a master, on a subject so new as the present. Among the rest, I laboured under no little trouble from a want of knowing what names to give to many colours found on the wings of some of the farinaceous tribe. The want of a series, or standard for names to colours, is a matter much to be lamented in this kingdom. I know no English author that has attempted it; perhaps the arduousness of the task may be the reason it has not been done; for if we form to ourselves an idea of the difficulty of bringing forth that innumerable train of colours that is to be done from only a yellow, a red and a blue, we may partly judge of the labour that man has to undergo who shall attempt it. In my case, the great variety of tints to be found on the insects, the harshness of some, the softness of others, together with the manner of their running into one another, increases the difficulty, and renders descriptions a matter of such labour, that nothing but the strongest resolution and perseverance could overcome. From hence, I hope, if the reader should chance to meet with any part among them, that does not entirely correspond with the colour given to the print, he will impute it to its proper cause, the painter. I know of no defects of this kind; but it is not impossible some may have escaped my observation, among such a multitude of figures which I had to correct. It is necessary I should inform the reader, that all my descriptions have been taken from the natural subjects themselves, and not from the coloured prints of them; and that my intention therein, is not to give a perfect idea of the insects, without the help of the figures, but only to assist the imagination in knowing what is described. And when we consider the advantages that good engravings have over verbal descriptions, the former representing to the mind, at first view, the object designed to be understood, without putting us to the trouble of calling all our ideas, all our powers of conception to our assistance, in order to discover what is intended to be described; while the latter, though given by the best writers, often puzzles and confounds the mind, if our ideas do not keep pace with the author's meaning, the present work, by having every coloured figure explained, must render it superior to any hitherto published in this kingdom. The last author that published any figures of exotic subjects in natural history, was Mr. Petiver, who, in his Gazophylacium, delineated a great variety of all the different orders; many of them exceeding curious and uncommon, being collected from various parts of the world. But they were sent forth uncoloured, and almost undescribed; circumstances that render them less estimable by the difficulty there is, in many instances, of knowing what the author meant; the shape of the animal, plant, &c. being the principal, and, sometimes, the only thing, we can understand. But although many of the figures consist of mere outlines, not exquisitely well engraved, it is not without merit. There are a great many very uncommon subjects exhibited, that were not known to exist in nature, till he held them forth to public view. It is, in short, a work, that, at the same time it manifested his desire for promoting his favourite study, was a proof of his assiduity, affording great room for speculation; and as the present is an improvement on his plan, I flatter myself it will not be unacceptable to the lovers of natural history. There is yet another advantage arising from the descriptions, that is not less than what I have already mentioned. If this work should fall into the hands of a bookseller, after my decease, the public would not probably be pestered with copies so execrably coloured, as is generally the case with books of this sort, after the author's death; the descriptions will be such a guide for colouring the prints, that capital errors will not be able to find admittance: the grossness of colouring a part yellow that should be red, or green, that ought to be blue, would immediately be detected; and the publisher, for his own sake, would undoubtedly be careful to have the prints justly and accurately done.

The experienced naturalist will perceive, that, throughout the quotations, I have not availed myself of any of the ancient authors. I have scarcely mentioned Mouffet, Aldrovandus, and others. It is certain, the figures to be seen in the works of most of the ancients are so bad, I dared not give any quotation from them. The incorrectness of the outlines, the irregularity and impropriety of the spots and marks, together with the looseness of the engravings, renders them too imperfect for any one to venture mentioning them. Indeed they are, in general, so little expressive of the insect intended to be represented, that no dependance can be had on their figures, especially the farinaceous winged tribe. Clerck, Merian, Roesel, Petiver, &c. are the authors I have principally mentioned, among the iconographers; and if the insect has been figured by a great many authors, as particularly Plate [34]. Fig. 7, 8. I have only mentioned a few: the rest may be known by looking into the Systema of Linnæus[^[12]], under the title mentioned in the quotation. This author is the principal one I have quoted among the descriptive writers: his great judgment in this study, the plain method he has laid down for the classing of insects, together with the excellency of his generical characters, are what must endear him to every professor of this study. I speak only of that part relating to the insect kingdom; the merits of the other parts are best known to those conversant in the respective branches. I must not here pass over a circumstance, which it is proper to apprize my readers of, by way of apology for giving a few figures (but a few) that have been published already in this kingdom. When I first laid down the plan of this work, I had no intention of confining myself to those subjects that were non-descripts; but proposed to give figures of any exotic insects that might fall into my possession, or what I could procure drawings of, by the assistance of those gentlemen who were friends to an attempt of this sort. I was willing to promote this branch of natural history, by any method that lay within the compass of my little sphere. This I was the rather prompted to, by the consideration of its being an attempt entirely novel in this nation, and conducted in a way different from any yet pursued. But a little recollection convinced me I was wrong. I was soon sensible, that the giving figures, already known and published here, could do no service to the study, or benefit the reader; it is possible I might give a better figure than that before published; the engraving might be softer, more delicate, and better becoming the subject; or the colouring more exact and just: but this would not be improving the reader's judgment, or increasing his knowledge. In short, from that moment I altered my plan; and it is to this mistake a few figures are inserted in different places, which have before made their appearance in England, either separately, or mixed with other subjects of natural history. From that time I took care to delineate none that I was conscious had engaged the pencil of any preceding author; but confined myself to such, whose novelty and striking appearances could not fail to recommend them. To such non-descripts I have paid the greatest deference; for in some of the plates, among the butterflies and moths, I have given complete figures of both the upper and under sides; a practice that, as deviating from my general rule, I should not have done, if the richness and softness of the colouring had not been so extremely pleasing, as to render it scarcely possible to dispense with it. It is only to a few I have paid this particular respect. In general, I have given to the butterflies, only figures of one half their under sides, but whole upper ones; and of those moths that have no representations of their under sides, the reader may conclude there is no material difference between their upper and under ones, or else the latter is too poor and mean to justify the giving a figure of it. I must just mention, that although I used this forbearance to those figures that had been heretofore published, I by no means meant to debar myself from representing such as had been only verbally described; as is the case with a great many to be met with in the Systema of Linnæus, and in other authors. The refraining, therefore, from such subjects, would have been rather condemnable than fit to be approved, for the reasons I mentioned before, of the great difficulty there is in understanding, sometimes, the best verbal descriptions that ever were given; therefore figures of this kind may not improperly be considered as explanatory, or as illustrations to such verbal descriptions, affording the student a two-fold pleasure, by comparing them together.

If the reader has made no progress in the study of natural history, he will probably find it difficult to understand the several names, or terms, the different parts of insects are called by; and which occur in every description. For this reason I think it incumbent on me to give the most plain and familiar explanation of them I possibly can. This I have done two ways; by methodical definitions, and figures; and in both of them shall make no scruple to follow the method laid down by that great master of natural history, the judicious Linnæus, whose excellent plan, for the knowledge and classing of insects, demands the utmost thanks and regard from every lover of this branch of science. From his plan I have taken the hint of giving some figures of different genera, with the proper names of the respective parts in a plate by themselves. By these the reader will not only be greatly assisted in understanding the descriptions; but it will enable him to class them with more facility, if he is inclined to do so. I therefore go on to explain, first the terms used throughout the whole; and afterwards the distinct and different parts of insects. In doing this, I divide them into

Order, Class, Genus, and Species.

Order, is a general term, applicable to a whole race of animals, whereby they are distinguished from each other, as beasts, birds, fishes, &c.[^[13]]

Class, a term by which insects, as well as other animals, are divided into their respective genera or tribes, as the farinaceous, crustaceous, transparent, &c.[^[14]]

Genus, a term dividing each class, as butterfly, moth, hawk-moth, constitute the farinaceous (Lepidoptera); dung-beetle, lady-bird, goat-chaffer, and many others, make up the crustaceous (Coleoptera); cockroach, locust, bug, and some others, form the semi-crustaceous (Hemiptera, Linn.), &c.[^[15]]

Species, a term comprehending a distinct or individual sort in each genus, as the pearl-bordered, admirable, skipper, &c. among the butterflies; egger, drinker, peppered, &c. among moths, &c.

To these I must add the word

Variety, a term by which two insects of the same species are known, though differing a little (not characteristically) in colour, size, &c.[^[16]]

I shall next proceed to explain and describe the different parts composing insects, by dividing them into the Head, Thorax, Abdomen, and Limbs.[^[17]]

The Head (Fig. 1, 2, 3, a.) includes the ANTENNÆ, MOUTH, PALPI, EYES, TONGUE, JAWS, and HORNS.

The Antennæ are formed of various shapes, according to the different genera, as may be observed in the figures, and seem instituted by nature not only for guiding the animal in its passage, but likewise for other purposes; being endued with an exquisite sense of feeling and perception. Fig. 1. d d. Fig. 2. c. Fig. 3. c c.

The Mouth is placed in the head, but sometimes close to the breast, as in the spider tribe; sometimes terminating in a horny beak, as in Plate [32]. Fig. 1. also in Plate [42]. Fig. 3 and 7. In some it is furnished with strong mandibles like pincers, as in Plate [32]. Fig. 6. and Plate [37]. Fig. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. In others it is so covered and guarded by the palpi, particularly among the moths, that it is not to be seen.

The Palpi are parts placed close to the mouth, and variously shaped; as may be seen by comparing those of the Lepidopterous with those of the Coleopterous, and other tribes; consisting of a greater or less number according to the species or genus; in some being only two, in most of them four, and in some six, (Cicindela, Carabus, Linn.) The use and purpose of these parts we are ignorant of. Fig. 1. c c. Fig. 2. b. Fig. 3. b b.

The Eyes are generally immoveable, and suited differently; in some to see only in the night, in others in the day; and differ in number according to the genera and species, having in general two only, but in some five,[^[18]] in others eight, as the spiders. Fig. 1. b b. Fig. 3. d d.

The Tongue (elongated maxillæ) is sometimes curled up spirally like the spring of a watch, as in butterflies and some moths, &c. in others it (including the labium) is doubled under the head, as in bees and wasps; but a great many species are destitute of this elongated part.

The Thorax is principally composed of the BACK, BREAST, and in some the SCUTELLUM, in others the MESOSTERNUM and DILATED POSTERIOR COXÆ.

The Back, dorsum or upper part, answering to the back in some animals, terminates in some species in a triangular manner, so as to represent the scutellum, as in Plate [33]. Fig. 5, 6, and 8. Tab. Ann. Fig. 1. f. Fig. 2. e.

The Breast, or sternum, is the under part of the thorax, and always furnished with legs.

The Scutellum is a small but hard part like a scale, frequently of a triangular shape, placed behind the dorsum of the prothorax, and joining to it. It is not developed in every genus, being chiefly perceived in the Coleopterous, Hemipterous, and transparent-winged orders.

The Mesosternum is united to the fore part of the breast, extending beyond the middle legs towards the fore ones; and observable only in some species of the Coleopterous order. By Linnæus and several other authors it is called sternum.

The Posterior Coxæ are only conspicuously enlarged in some particular species (dung beetles). There are two of them placed on the sides of the breast next to the abdomen, under the hinder thighs. In some they are placed remote and distinct from it, in others they lie close; being moveable in some, in others they are fixed. The use of these parts we are ignorant of.[^[19]]

The Abdomen consists of a number of annuli or rings, and contains the greatest part of the intestines and other viscera; being united to the trunk, and formed with holes on the sides, through which the insect breathes.

The Limbs comprehend the TAIL, LEGS, and WINGS, with their cases.

The Tail is placed at the extremity of the abdomen; and in some is furnished with a sting, in others it is armed with a pair of forceps; sometimes with a single bristle, sometimes with a double one; in some with a pair of claws like a crab, in others like a fork.

The Legs include the coxæ, trochanters, femora, tibiæ, and tarsi; the latter consisting of two, sometimes of three, four, or five articulations. In some the fore ones resemble a crab's claws. Some are furnished with spines, others are smooth and plain. The hinder ones are formed for running, leaping, or swimming.

The Wings, being always two or four, are either plain or folded, erect or open, lying flat or inclining downwards, &c. In some they are dentated or scolloped; and some are furnished with two projections like tails. They are also membranaceous, reticulated, or transparent, and frequently adorned with beautiful colours. In some they are curiously folded within two crustaceous cases, that are either smooth or rough, striated, furrowed, punctated, &c. in some these cases are soft and flexile, in others hard like horn; the Hemipterous are partly soft and transparent, as in Plate [49]. Fig. 2. and partly opake and hard, as in Plate [42]. Fig. 1. Plate [43]. Fig. 2. and Plate [45]. Fig. 5.

It is necessary to observe, that I have not been so prolix and explanatory in the foregoing definitions as I should be, if I intended to arrange the figures under their respective classes, or establish any system for doing so; I have explained no more terms or parts than what are sufficient to enable the reader (if he is not an adept) easily and clearly to understand the descriptions. It is likewise necessary to mention, that I have given English names to most of the parts, where I could do it with the necessary propriety for serving this particular purpose; and where I could not substitute an English word, that was apposite and significant, I have preserved the Latin one, as used by Linnæus and others. Thus, for instance, the term palpi I would have altered, if I could have found an English word that conveyed the same idea; but not easily finding one, I have kept to the original. I have not forgot the terms mustachios, whiskers, &c. which I might have used in its stead; but as these parts in many insects bore no analogy or resemblance thereto, it being in a great many of them like a short jointed filament or thread, I rather chose to preserve the Latin one. The same practice I have observed with the term antennæ. For though feelers is the general explanation given to this word, I could not prevail with myself to use it. The reason is, because these animals seem to have a power of applying these parts to purposes different from that of feeling. By the antennæ they are capable of distinguishing and perceiving, as well as feeling; and I am strongly inclined to believe, it is by them the males are capable of discovering the females at a great distance. It is certain their powers of perception are very obvious and remarkable, which, by close observations, we may soon discover; and unless we allow them capable of smelling without nostrils, I do not know what parts they exercise, or by what means they so readily discover, not only their females but their respective kinds of food, the places proper for depositing their eggs, &c. The male moths appear to have this faculty of discovering their females in a greater degree than most other insects; for there are but a very few, if any, belonging to this genus, whose females pass the first night after they quit the chrysalis without coupling with the males; owing to unconquerable desire in the latter, and the strong effluvia or scent emitted by the former for attracting their mates. Every adept is fully acquainted that a female moth, known by the name of the Egger (Phalæna Quercus of Linnæus), taken into the fields the first day it is hatched, will most certainly (though shut up in a box) allure all the males round the country that are within the sphere of its attraction, and even from a great distance; who will at first fly round the box with wonderful swiftness and eagerness, and afterwards settling thereon will hunt and run about it with the greatest impatience, endeavouring to get at the inclosed female; and all this from the strongest desire of copulation; for the minute that action is performed by a male, the attractive property of the other ceases. The powers of perception and distinction, therefore, are very great; and what parts of the insects, unless it be the antennæ, are employed in this search I am at a loss to discover. However, at present, I presume it will not be necessary to offer any further reasons for using this term, as the name substituted is sufficient for it to be known by, it will fully answer the intended purpose.

The names of the other parts are too intelligible to require any explanation.

The plate annexed (being the last thing I shall speak of) requires but little to be said in its favour. The use and advantage of it is too obvious to dwell on. I have already mentioned, that engravings and delineations claim the preference in the highest degree of verbal descriptions; and as such, I presume, the reader will find this plate of the greatest service in assisting him to understand the descriptive parts with clearness and ease. I must only recommend it to him, if he is desirous of avoiding difficulty and trouble, to make himself fully acquainted with the terms and names of all the parts of insects, before he begins to read the descriptions.

Explanation of Fig. I.

a The head.

b b The eyes.

c c The palpi.

d d The antennæ.

e e The shoulders. The patagia, or tippets, are placed here.

f The thorax. The part underneath and opposite to this is termed the breast.

g The abdomen, with the annuli or rings of which this part is composed; very conspicuous in such of the Lepidoptera as are figured in Plate [27], [28], and [29].

A A The anterior wings.

B B The posterior wings.

h h The bases of the wings.

i i The tips.

k k k k The anterior margin.

l l The posterior or internal margin.

m m m m The external edges.

n n The lower corners of the anterior wings.

o o The upper corners of the posterior wings.

p p The abdominal edges. In the butterfly tribe this part forms the abdominal groove.

q q The anal angle.

r r The tails; whereof some species have four, as in Plate [1], [2], and [7].

s s The eyes on the wings. From round spots resembling an eye.

t A waved bar.

u u An irregular indented bar.

The terms upper side and under side, mentioned in all the descriptions of the farinaceous tribe, require no explanation.

Explanation of Fig. II.

a The head.

b The palpi.

c The antennæ.

d The eyes.

e The dorsum of the prothorax, commonly called the thorax in beetles; whereof the under part is the prosternum.

f The lateral margin of the thorax.

g The posterior margin of the thorax.

h h The upper horn.

i i The lower horn.

k The scutellum.

l l The wing cases, or elytra.

m m The suture.

n n The lateral margin of the wing cases.

o The anus.

p The fore thigh.

q The middle thigh.

r The hinder thigh.

s s The fore tibiæ.

t t The middle tibiæ.

u u The hinder tibiæ.

w w w w w w The tarsi.

x x x x x x The articulation of the tarsi with the tibiæ.

y y y The articulation of the tibiæ with the femora.

z z z The hooks or claws, (ungues.)

Explanation of Fig. III.

a The head.

b b The palpi.

c c The antennæ.

d d The eyes.

e The prosternum; whereof the upper part is the prothorax.

f The mesosternum.

g g The dilated posterior coxæ.

h h h h The abdomen, with its annuli or rings.

o The anus.

p The fore thighs.

q q The middle thighs.

r r The hinder thighs.

s s The fore tibiæ.

t t The middle tibiæ.

u u The hinder tibiæ.

w w w w w w The tarsi.

x x x x x x The articulation of the tarsi with the tibiæ.

y y y y y y The articulation of the tibiæ with the femora, or thighs.

z z The hooks or claws, (ungues.)

Fig. IV. is inserted only to shew the three little eyes, which are placed in a triangular manner, and mentioned in some of the descriptions, viz. Plate [43]. Fig. 4, 5, 6, &c.

ILLUSTRATIONS

OF

EXOTIC ENTOMOLOGY.

PLATE I.

NYMPHALIS (CHARAXES) JASON.

Plate [I]. fig. 1.

Order: Lepidoptera, Linn. Section: Diurna, Latr. Family: Nymphalidæ, Swainson.

Genus. Nymphalis, Latr. Papilio Eq. Achiv. Linn. Drury. Papilio Nymphalis, Fabr.

Subgenus. Jasia, Swainson. Charaxes, Boisduval.

Nymphalis (Charaxes) Jason. Alis fuscis, anticis utrinque strigâ maculari limboque apicali fulvis, posticis bicaudatis, ordine postico macularum sublunarium fulvescentium, omnibus subtus ad basin ferrugineis caracteribus fasciâque albis. (Expans. Alar. 3-4. unc.)

Syn. Papilio Jason, Linn. Syst. Nat. 2. 749. No. 26. Herbst. tab. 64. f. 3. 4. 5. Cram. pl. 339. f. A. B. Drury, vol. 1. p. 2.

Pap. (Nymphalis) Jasius, Fab. Ent. Syst. t. III. part 1. p. 61. 191. Drury, vol. 2. App.

Nymphalis Jasius, Latr. et Godart. Enc. Meth. v. 9. p. 350. 1.

Charaxes Jasius, Boisduval Hist. Nat. Lepidopt. pl. 7. f. 12. (imago) pl. 3. A. f. 9. (larva and pupa.)

Habitat: Barbary, Asia Minor, and the Northern Coast of the Mediterranean Sea.

Upper Side. The anterior wings are of a fine chocolate, with an orange-coloured margin running along the exterior edge, within which are some faint round orange spots; those next the anterior edge, where they begin, being strongest. The posterior wings are furnished with four tails (the outer ones being the shortest) and are of a blue black. A yellow scolloped margin runs round their external edges, verged with black; above which are some lunate spots of a sky blue.

Under Side. The anterior wings, next the body, are of a faint dark red, with many spots and marks of a dirty olive, differently shaped, margined with white. An orange margin runs along the exterior edge, intersected by the blue tendons; and above it are several triangular marks of a faint orange, on a blueish hazel ground, which deadens as it approaches the margin. The posterior wings have on each a white band, running transversely, and meeting just below the extremity of the body; within which, and including the anal groove, are many round, oval, and other shaped marks of chocolate and dark olive; verged with white. A scolloped margin, of a deep lemon colour, runs along the posterior edges, verged with dirty green, and separated from the white band by a bar of hazel colour, and some large brown reddish spots and marks. Two blue spots are placed just above the two longest tails, with several lesser ones, just above the lemon-coloured margin.

I have thought it more in accordance with the principles which are now almost universally adopted, in regulating specific nomenclature, to revert to the original Linnæan name of Jason in preference to that of Fabricius. This butterfly may be regarded as one of the most splendid of the Lepidoptera of Europe, to the southern portion of which and to the northern shores of Africa it appears to be confined. The strength of its general structure indicates great powers of flight, and we accordingly find that it is able to sustain itself in the air with very little motion of the wings. The female differs from the male only by having the centre of the posterior wings adorned with small blue spots on the upper side. There are two broods in the year, namely in June and September, and, according to M. De Villiers, the insect emits a strong scent of musk. The caterpillar is naked and thickened in the middle of the body; the tail tapering into two short points, the head is also armed with two conical erect horns. In this respect, therefore, this insect very nearly approaches the genus Apatura, of which the purple Emperor, Ap. Iris is the type, thus proving the advantages to be obtained, in studying the natural relations of this difficult order of Annulosa, from an accurate acquaintance with the structure and habits of the early stages of the insect.

There are several species, having the same general form as the Jason, including Athamas, pl. [2]. fig. 3. 4; Eudoxus, vol. iii. pl. [33]. f. 1. 4; Camulus, vol. iii. pl. [30]. f. 1. 2. Mr. Swainson has, accordingly, formed them into a distinct group, to which he has given the name of Jasia, in pursuance with his customary, but scarcely correct plan, of raising the specific name of the typical species into a generic name, and then giving a new specific name to such type. M. Boisduval, rejecting this system of nomenclature, has more recently proposed for the same group the name of Charaxes, which I have adopted.

Amongst the species very nearly resembling Jason, is one sent from Africa[^[20]] to Mr. Drury by Mr. Smeathman, which, according to the observations of that traveller, published by Drury, in the introduction to his third volume, flies in the heat of the day with amazing rapidity, and seldom descends within eight feet of the ground. It glances from the prominent branches of one tree to those of another, as swift as a swallow, and turns its head about instantly to the glade, or path, and will not suffer any person to approach within a striking distance of it, but darts away on the least motion of the body. If the collector exert his patience it will at last become more familiar and careless, and is then to be caught upon some particular branch, to which it will appear more attached than to another.

THECLA ACIS.

Plate [I]. fig. 2.

Order: Lepidoptera. Section: Diurna. Family: Lycænidæ, Leach.

Genus. Thecla, Fabr. (Syst. Gloss. Synops. in Illig. Mag.) Polyommatus, Latr. et Godart. Cupido p. Schrank Papilio (Pleb. rural.), Drury.

Thecla Acis. Alis suprà fuscis subtùs pallidioribus, posticis bicaudatis maculâ rufâ ad angulum ani, subtùs punctis duobus fasciâque obliquâ albis. (Expans. Alar. 1 unc. 3 lin.)

Syn. Papilio Acis, Drury, App. v. 2. (1773). Cram. pl. 175. fig. C. D.

Papilio Mars, Fabr. Mant. Ins. 2. 66. No. 624. (1787). Herbst. Pap. tab. 288. f. 1. 2. Fabr. Ent. Syst. III. 1. 265. 24. (Hesperia M.) Encycl. Meth. 9. 635. (Polyommatus M.)

Papilo Ixion, Fab. Mant. Ins. 2. 71. No. 671?

Habitat: New York (Drury,) taken on 31st August. South America (Fabr.): Antilles (Godart). Cape of Good Hope (?? Cramer).

Upper Side. The anterior wings are entirely dark brown, without any spots or marks.—The posterior wings the same, with four tails, the inner ones much longer than the others; close above which latter are two red spots, edged at the bottom with black, and two more, placed at the anal angle. The cilia is white.

Under Side. All the wings are of a dark lead colour. A very narrow black and white line crosses the anterior wings, parallel to the external edges; another indented irregular line crosses the posterior wings, beginning near the middle of the anterior edge, and meeting just below the extremity of the body. Four long reddish spots are very visible on this side, below which are four black ones.

This species is nearly allied to Papilio Echion, Linn. Syst. Nat. p. 788. figured by Roesel, tom. i. tab. 7. f. 3. 4. which is also an American species, but differs, as Drury observes, in wanting the red spots on the upper surface of the lower wings, in having a red line crossing the wings on the under side, &c.

THECLA SIMAETHIS.

Plate [I]. fig. 3.

Order: Lepidoptera. Section: Diurna. Family: Lycænidæ, Leach.

Genus. Thecla, Fabr., Horsfield. Polyommatus, Latr. et Godart. Hesperia, Fabr. olim. Papilio (Pleb. rur.) Drury.

Thecla Simaethis. Alis supra fuscis, nitidis, subtus flavo-viridibus, vittâ transversâ argenteâ, posticis apice ferrugineis strigâ è punctis margaritaceis. (Expans. Alar. 1 unc. 3 lin.)

Syn. Papilio (Pleb. rural.) Simaethis, Drury, App. v. 2. Herbst. Pap. tab. 280. f. 3. 4. Fabr. Ent. Syst. III. 1. p. 286. No. 97. (Hesperia S.) Latr. et God. Enc. Meth. 9. 643. 97. (Polyommatus S.)

Habitat: Saint Christopher's (Drury). Surinam (Fabr.)

Upper Side. The wings are brown, tinged with blue. The cilia white, posterior wings with two tails like hairs, of a chocolate colour; the tips being white.

Under Side. The anterior wings are green next the anterior edge, but along the interior one are of a greyish flesh colour. A narrow silver line begins at the anterior edge, about a third from the tips, and crossing both superior and inferior wings, meets near the extremity of the abdomen, running across the inferior wings in a very irregular, indented manner, and having its upper side verged with chocolate. The posterior wings, above this line, are of a deep pea-green; but below it soften into a flesh colour, which continues along the external edge, from the upper to the anal corner; whence rises a jagged, indented, chocolate line, that runs across the wing, parallel with the silver line, whereon are several dark blue spots, shining like polished steel.

Nearly allied to the common British species, Thecla Rubi.

PLATE II.

POLYOMMATUS THERO.

Plate [II]. fig. 1.

Order: Lepidoptera. Section: Diurna. Family: Lycænidæ, Leach.

Genus. Polyommatus, Latreille et Godart. Lycæna, Fabr. (Syst. Gloss. Synops. in Illig. Mag.) Papilio (Nymph. Phalerat.) Drury. (Pleb. rural.) Linn.

Polyommatus Thero. Alis dentatîs, suprà nigricanti-fuscis, fúlvo maculatis, posticis subtùs nebuloso-cinereis maculis linearibus nitenti-albis, maculà disci majori, apicibus uncinatâ. (Expans. Alar. lin. 1 unc. 9 lin.)

Syn. Papilio (Pleb. rur.) Thero, Linn. Syst. Nat. 2. p. 787. No. 219. Fabr. Ent. Syst. III. 1. p. 274. No. 57. (Hesperia rural). God. et Latr. Enc. Meth. 9. 602. No. 154.

Hesperia Erosine, Fabr. Ent. Syst. III. 1. p. 266. No. 28.

Papilio Salmoneus, Cramer, Ins. t. 1. pl. 2. f. 1.

Papilio Rumina, Drury, (exclus. syn. Linn.)

Habitat: Cape of Good Hope.

Upper Side. The wings are dentated, and of a fine dark brown colour. The anterior having seven square discoidal red spots, of different sizes. The posterior ones are furnished with four short tails, two on each; above which are three small red spots.

Under Side. The anterior wings are red at the base; but along the external and interior edges are of a rusty grey brown, with several dark marks or clouds thereon. Near the anterior edge, towards the base, are three black spots, with three small white ones in their centres. The posterior wings are of a rusty grey brown, darkest in the middle, with a margin of a paler colour, running along the external and part of the upper edges. Several spots, of a silver white, are dispersed on different parts of the wings; some being round, long, triangular, &c. About the middle of each wing is a long silvery mark, running in a direction from the base to the external edge; being about half the length of the wing.

Drury confounded this species with the European Papilio Rumina, Linn. belonging to a distant genus (Thais), whilst Fabricius described it twice under the specific names cited above.

ERYCINA LYSIPPUS.

Plate [II]. fig. 2.

Order: Lepidoptera. Section: Diurna. Family: Lycænidæ?

Genus. Erycina, Latr. Hesperia (rurales), Fab. Papilio (Pleb. rur.) Linn. Drury.

Erycina Lysippus. Alis fusco-nigris, singularum utrinque fasciâ tenui aurantiacâ; posticis angulatis, subtùs ad basin griseo maculatis. (Expans. Alar. 1 unc. 6 lin.)

Syn. Papilio (Pleb. rur.) Lysippus, Linn. Syst. Nat. 2. p. 793. No. 250. Cramer, pl. 380. f. A. Fabricius Ent. Syst. III. 1. p. 321. No. 218. (Hesperia rur. L.). Latr. et Godart, Encycl. Méthod. ix. p. 566. No. 11. (Erycina L.)

Habitat: Jamaica (Drury). Guiana and Brazil (Latr. et God.).

Upper Side. The wings are of a chocolate-black. On the anterior is an orange-coloured line, which, rising about the middle of the anterior edge, crosses the wing towards the anal angle, where it suddenly bends, and terminates at the posterior edge. The posterior wings, which are angulated, have a circular orange line, rising at the anterior edge, near the corner, crossing the wings, and meeting near the anal angle.

Under Side. The wings are of the same colour as on the upper side, with the same orange line, whereon, in the anterior pair, are some white spots. Between this and the base are several faint, dirty grey, oblong spots, namely, four on the anterior, and about twenty on the posterior wing. The base of the anterior margin of the fore wings, and the anal margin of the posterior wings, are of a red colour.

HIPPARCHIA EUMEA.

Plate [II]. fig. 3.

Order: Lepidoptera. Section: Diurna. Family: Nymphalidæ, Swainson.

Genus. Hipparchia, Fabr. Satyrus, Latr. et God. Papilio (Danai Festivi), Drury.

Hipparchia Eumea. Alis integris subfuscis, anticis utrinque strigâ latâ fulvâ, subtus serie communi punctorum alborum. (Expans. Alar. 3 unc.)

Syn. Papilio (Dan. Festiv.) Eumeus, Drury, App. to v. 2. (1773). Cramer, pl. 183. fig. C. D.

Pap. (Nymphal.) Gripus, Fabr. Ent. Syst. III. 1. 149. No. 457. Herbst. Pap. tab. 135. No. 3. 4.

Satyrus Gripus, Latr. et God. Enc. Méth. v. ix. p. 497. No. 70.

Habitat: China (Drury). India (Fabricius).

Upper Side. The wings are entire, and of a deep brown, with a broad luteous fascia, rising near the anterior edges of the fore wings, running along near the tips, and ending at the external margin.

Under Side. The wings are the same colours as on the upper side. The anterior, with five whitish spots on each, placed in a row, near the external margin. The posterior have on each sometimes five, and sometimes seven spots, of the same colour, placed in a circular row, meeting near the extremity of the body.

I have reverted to the name given by Drury, in preference to following Fabricius, and the authors of the Encyclopédie Méthodique.

NYMPHALIS (CHARAXES) ATHAMAS.

Plate [II]. fig. 4.

Order Lepidoptera. Section: Diurna. Family: Nymphalidæ, Sw.

Genus. Nymphalis, Latr. Subgenus. Charaxes, Boisduval. (See page 1.)

Nymph (Ch.) Athamas. Alis supra nigris, utrinque fasciâ mediâ latâ glaucâ subhyalinâ, subtus lunulis ferrugineis marginatâ. (Expans. Alar. 3. unc.)

Syn. Papilio (Equit.. Achiv.) Athamas, Drury, App. v. 2. Cramer, Pap. pl. 89. f. C. D. Encycl. Méthod. 9. 353. (Nymphalis A.)

Papilio Pyrrhus, Donovan. Insects of India, pl. 4. f. 2. (exel. syn. Linn.)

Habitat: China (Drury). India (Donovan). Java (Latr. et God.).

Upper Side. The head is brown, with four minute yellow frontal spots. The wings are dentated, and of a fine red brown, each with a broad brimstone coloured bar, rising near the middle of the anterior wings; and, crossing them and the posterior ones transversely, meeting near the extremity of the body. Above these, near the tips, are two small oval spots of the same colour. The posterior wings have four tails, of nearly equal length, above which are seven small brimstone spots, placed on each, along the external edge.

Under Side. The broad transverse bar is of a pearl colour, being surrounded next the body by a narrow red brown border, edged with black, between which and the base, are two small black spots. The two spots, near the tips, are also seen on this side, being of a pearl colour. The external edges of the anterior wings are of an olive colour; the remaining parts being of a very resplendent greyish purple. Several small kidney-shaped marks are placed along the outer side of the pearl bar. The posterior wings have a narrow orange-coloured border running along their external edges; and above it, are seven small black spots, edged at the top with white. Above these is a shade of brown olive, over which are some black angular marks, with red crescents above them.

Donovan has confounded this species with the Linnæan Pap. Pyrrhus, although Drury had previously pointed out the diversity of the two species.

PLATE III.

EREBUS ODORA.

Plate [III]. fig. 1.

Order: Lepidoptera. Section: Nocturna. Family: Noctuidæ.

Genus. Erebus, Latr. Thysania, Dalm. Noctua, Fabr. Phalæna (Attacus), Linn. Drury.

Erebus Odora. Alis dentatis fuscis, nigro undatis, anticis ocello atro auriformi fulvo marginato; posticis sesquialtero. (Expans. Alar. 7½ unc.)

Syn. Phalæna (Attacus) Odora, Linn. Syst. Nat. 2. p. 811. No. 11. Sloan. Jam. 2. t. 236. f. 13. 14. Noctua Odora, Fabr. Ent. Syst. III. 2. p. 10. No. 8. Gmelin, Linn., S. N. 2529. 11. Cramer, Ins. tab. 169. fig. A. B. Oliv. Enc. Méth. 8. 252. 7.

Habitat: Jamaica, Antigua, and other West Indian Islands (Drury). Surinam (Fabricius).

Upper Side. The body and wings are of a dark brown. The latter are scolloped, the anterior having, near their anterior margin, towards the middle, a black eye on each, shaped like a human ear, whose iris is of a dark orange colour; and, near the anal angle, towards the external edge, is a black scolloped line, running half way up the wing, joining to which (under it) is a bar of a very soft and delicate brown colour, differing from the general tint of the wings. The posterior wings have, on each, near the external edge, a mark somewhat like a large eye; upon whose under edge are two semi-eyes, one black, the other the same colour as the wings. Many agreeable shades, of a lighter colour, and ingrailed lines, run across all the wings.

Under Side. The head, breast, and legs, are the same colour as the upper side; except the thighs of the fore legs, which are red. There is very little variety of colours on this side, except a purplish hue, visible when held in a declining direction.

Drury notices another insect, also received by him from Saint Christopher's, of smaller size, and differing only in having a narrow indented bar, of a flesh colour, crossing the upper and lower wings, and which, he thinks, may possibly be the other sex of the insect here figured; considering also, that the references to Linnæus and Sloane, apply rather to the smaller insect. Fabricius states, that the female of Odora is distinguished by having a fascia, composed of three waved white lines, in the middle of the wings.

SPILOSOMA ACREA.

Plate [III]. fig. 2. ♀. 3. ♂.

Order: Lepidoptera. Section: Nocturna. Family: Arctiidæ, Steph.

Genus. Spilosoma, Stephens. Arctia p. Schrank. Eyprepia p. Ochsenheim. Bombyx p. Fabr.

Spilosoma Acrea. Alis niveis (postieis ♂ fulvis), punctis nigris, costalibus majoribus; abdominis dorso fulvo nigro maculato. (Expans. Alar. ♂ 2 unc.—♀ 2¾ unc.)

Syn. ♀ Phalæna (Bombyx) Acrea, Drury, App. v. 2.

♂. Phal. (Bomb.) Caprotina, Drury, App. v. 2.

Bombyx Acria, Fab. Ent. Syst. III. 1. p. 451. No. 137. Abbot and Smith, Ins. Georg. tab. 67. (exclus. Syn. Fabr. B. lubricepidæ).

Arctia Pseuderminea (Peck), Harris in Massachus. Agricult. Repos. vol. 7. p. 328. and tab. annex.

Habitat: New York, Maryland, Virginia (Drury).

Male..—Upper Side. The antennæ and eyes are black; the thorax and extremity of the body cream colour; he abdomen yellow, spotted on the top and sides with black. The anterior wings are cream coloured, spotted with black. The number of spots very uncertain, except five which are placed on the anterior edge, and six on the external one. The cilia yellow, as are the posterior wings, on each of which are three black spots, two near the external edge, and one near the middle.

Under Side. The breast and thighs are yellow; the abdomen and legs the same, chequered and spotted with black. All the wings are yellow, spotted in the same manner with black, as on the upper side.

Female.—Upper Side. The head and thorax white. The abdomen yellow, with black spots on the sides and top, the extremity being white. All the wings are white, with black spots, whose number is very variable; but, on the anterior edges of each anterior wing, are placed five, and on the external edges, six.

Under Side. The legs are black and white, the thighs yellow; the abdomen white, spotted with black. All the wings are white, with black spots, most of which, observed on the upper side, being seen on this.

This species is closely allied to the common British species, Spilosoma lubricepida, and Menthrastri; but is of larger size, the spots being also larger. The two figures given by Drury, are now ascertained to be the sexes of the same species, as, indeed, our author had surmised might be the case. It appears to be a very common species, and is stated by Drury to breed twice a year, namely, in June and September. The caterpillar is very hairy, and when young is white; as it advances in age, it acquires a fox colour, and, in its last skin, becomes almost black. Dr. Thaddeus W. Harris, a distinguished American entomologist, to whom I am indebted for many valuable insects of that country, has published a very interesting notice, in the work above cited, upon this insect, under the title of "The Natural History of the Salt-marsh Caterpillar," under which name the larva of this insect is commonly known, and which is exceedingly destructive to grasses of various kinds. He states, that when nearly full-fed, "they become very voracious, and continue eating all the day and night without intermission. Soon they leave the meadows, aggregated in great numbers, and commence the wandering state, or begin to run, as is the phrase, devouring everything in their progress; corn-fields, gardens, and even the coarse and rank produce of road sides, afford them temporary nourishment, until they have found a place of security from the wind and weather." Dr. Harris, in a communication to me, has stated, that he had ascertained that this insect was the Acria of Fabricius, and that Professor Peck's name must, therefore, be rejected. Abbot observes, respecting this caterpillar, that it is "a general devourer of all field and garden-plants, and weeds. It spun up in a thin web, intermixed with its own hairs, on the 16th of May, and the moth came out on the 2d of June. Others of the autumnal brood, taken in September, spun up on the 18th of that month, and remained in the chrysalis until the 21st of April."

PLATE IV.

CETHOSIA CYANE.

Plate [IV]. fig. 1.

Order: Lepidoptera. Section: Diurna. Family: Nymphalidæ, Swains.

Genus. Cethosia, Fabr. Latr. et God. Papilio (Nymphal. Phalerat.), Drury.

Cethosia Cyane. Alis dentatis nigris, lineâ communi tenuissimâ angulatâ marginali, anticis fasciâ posticis disco (nigro punctato) albis. (Expans. Alar. unc. 3½.)

Syn. Papilio (Nymph. Phal.) Cyane, Drury, App. v. 2. Herbst. Pap. tab. 248. fig. 3. 4. Cramer, Pap. 25. pl. 295. fig. C. D. Fabr. Ent. Syst. III. 1. p. 115. No. 352. Latr. et God. Encycl. Méthod. ix. p. 247. (Cethosia Cy.)

Habitat: Bengal (Drury). India (Fabr.).

Upper Side. The anterior wings are dentated and black: the anterior edge of a dirty olive brown; in the middle whereof a broad white bar arises, and runs transversely towards the middle of the external edge, where, stopping at the distance of a quarter of an inch, it forms, with some faint white spots, a black border along the external edge, whereon is a row of narrow white angulated marks. The posterior wings, which are deeply dentated, are white; with a deep black border running along the external edge, whereon is a row of white angulated marks, as on the superior wings, and above each of them is a series of short white streaks, running parallel with the edge of the wing. Above these are six round black spots, one situated between each nerve, and over them six more smaller, and fainter; several more spots being dispersed on the white parts of the wings, some very distinct, and others very faint.

Under Side. The anterior wings are red, which colour extends from the base nearly half along the wing, and which, towards the posterior edge, softens to a cream-colour. On this red ground are some short black lines, with blue ones between them, extending between the two principal nerves. The external edge has a black margin; whereon the white angular marks are seen more distinctly, being here shaped like beards of arrows. Above this border, near the external angle, are two oval black spots, or eyes, whose irides are white, having between them and the black border a row of small, round, black spots, placed close together. The white bar described on the upper side is also seen here. Several more black spots, of various forms, are dispersed on different parts, particularly a group in the centre of the wing. The inferior wings are white, with pale cream-coloured clouds; but next the base are white, blue, and red, with black streaks, from whence a shade of blue and brown runs along the anterior edge to the external angle, where a black border commences, whereon are angular white marks, like arrow beards or points. This border continues to the abdominal corners, where two small, curved, black lines meet together, and form an arch. Above the black border is a row of small black spots, and above them are six larger, with several others, of different shapes and sizes, dispersed on various parts of the wings.

The insect described in the Encyclopédie Méthodique, from Malabar, differs from that figured by Drury, in having the disc of the posterior wings of a fulvous buff colour, and the spots larger, with the markings at the base of this pair of wings, on the under side fulvous instead of blue. Is this to be regarded as a variety, the opposite sex, or a distinct species?

CETHOSIA BIBLIS.

Plate [IV]. fig. 2.

Order: Lepidoptera. Section: Diurna. Family: Nymphalidæ, Sw.

Genus. Cethosia, Fab. Latr. God. Papilio (Nymphal. Phal.), Drury.

Cethosia Biblis. Alis subrotundatis dentatis fulvis, extimo fusco, lunulis albis anticarum serie triplici digestis (intermediâ minori), posticis ante marginem maculis nigris, singulis subtùs ad basin lineis maculisque flavis variis. (Expans. Alar. 3 unc. 9 lin.)

Syn. Papilio (Nymph. Phal.) Biblis, Drury, App. v. 2. (1773). Cramer, Pap. 15. pl. 175. fig. A. B. Herbst. Pap. tab. 248. fig. 1. 2.

Papilio (Nymph.) Penthesilea, Fabr. Ent. Syst. III. 1. p. 114. No. 349. (exclus. Syn. Crameri.)

Cethosia Biblina, Latr. et God. Enc. Méth. ix. p. 248.

Habitat: China (Drury). From the collection of the late Mr. Lee of Deptford.

Upper Side. The anterior wings, next the shoulders, are a brown orange, occupying half the wings; the other half, next the tips, are of a rusty red brown, whereon is a row of white crescents running along the external edge. Above this are five white squarish spots, and over them a row of angulated marks, like points of arrows, with white spots in their centres, above which is a single white spot, between which and the shoulders are some short black waved lines, extending between the two principal nerves. The posterior wings are entirely of a brown orange, except a rusty red-brown border that runs along the external edge, whereon is a row of white crescents, and above it are six black spots running parallel with the border, beneath which is a denticulated line of dark brown.

Under Side. The anterior wings, next the shoulders, are of a brown orange, reaching half way along the wings, the remainder being rusty yellow. On the orange ground, next the shoulders, are several black, irregular, short lines, placed two and two, the middle, or spaces between them, being clay-coloured. Two small black spots are placed on the anterior edge, on each side near the base. Along the external edge is a row of white angulated lines, above which is a row of ash-coloured marks, with some dark spots thereon; and over this, is another row of ash-coloured marks, shaped like acute angles, with an oblong streak in the centre of each. The posterior wings at the base are dark orange, but toward the external edges are rusty yellow, on which is a row of crescents on a dark border. Above this is a circular bar or band of a flesh colour, having a row of dark spots on the lower edge, and the upper edge shaped like acute angles, with a black triangular mark in each, and a white spot in its centre. About a quarter of an inch above this bar is another of a clay colour, about one-eighth of an inch broad, with dark spots and marks on it, some of which resemble Greek characters. Over this bar is another near the base, of a clay colour, with a double row of black marks or streaks on it.

Fabricius has confounded this species and another, under the name of Penthesilea. Latreille and Godart have altered the specific name proposed by Drury to that of Biblina, "parce qu'il a été imposé ultérieurement à un genre de Lépidoptères diurnes." I have, however, restored the specific name of Biblis, because the same name, was not proposed for a genus by Fabricius, until many years after the publication of Drury's work, in the Synopsis of the Systema Glossatorum, published in Illiger's Magazine; and because the employment of a proper name, like Biblis, for a species, even when previously used for a genus belonging to a perfectly distinct group, is not incorrect.

PLATE V.

CYNTHIA HUNTERA.

Plate [V]. fig. 1.

Order: Lepidoptera. Section: Diurna. Family: Nymphalidæ, Swains.

Genus. Cynthia, Fabr. Stephens. Vanessa p. Latr. et God. Papilio (Nymph. Gemmat.), Drury, Fabricius.

Cynthia Huntera. Alis subangulatis dentatis fulvis, nigro variegatis; anticis apice productis albo maculatis; posticis infra ad basin griseo reticulatis, ad extimum ocellis duobus magnis notatis. (Expans. Alar. 2 unc. 9 lin.)

Syn. Papilio (Nymph.) Huntera, Fab. Syst. Ent. p. 499. No. 240. Herbst. Pap. t. 178. f. 5. 6. t. 179. f. 1. 2. Abbot and Smith, Ins. Georgia, vol. 1. tab. 9.

Papilio (Nymph. Gemm.) Cardui Virginiensis, Drury, App. v. 2.

Papilio Iole, Cramer, Pap. 1. pl. 12. f. E. F.

Papilio Bella Donna Virginiana, Petiv. Gaz. Dec. 4. tab. 33. fig. 5.

Habitat: New York, Maryland, Virginia (Drury). Brazil to Georgia (Enc. Méth.).

Upper Side. The base of the wings tawny orange; the anterior, dentated and angulated; the tips and external edges are brownish black, on which are five white spots near the external angle, the largest being round. The remainder of the wings is of a fine orange brown, with several black marks thereon, near the anterior edges. The posterior wings are a little dentated, and of a brown orange colour like the anterior, having five black spots placed near the external edge of each, two of which being larger than the rest have blue centres, below these is a black border, with a row of brown-orange crescents running along the middle. The cilia is black and white.

Under Side. The anterior wings at the base are greyish, beyond which they are beautifully adorned with rose-coloured and black marks, having three white spots on each near the external edge, with several clouds and marks of different colours placed at the tips and anterior edges. The posterior wings are of a beautiful agate colour, with many lines and narrow bars branching from, and intersecting one another under different directions (like lines in a map), so as to form spots and clouds of different shapes. Each wing has two eyes placed near the external edge, one larger than the other, the pupils being of a blueish hue and the irides black, the small one having a yellow circle within it; below these, a purple line runs parallel with, and near to the external edge.

The caterpillar of this insect is described by Drury as being green, with black rings round the body, and as feeding about New York upon the wild balsams, appearing about the latter end of July, or beginning of August. Once in about five or six years they are exceedingly plentiful, at other times very scarce; a peculiarity also noticed in the very nearly allied European species, Cynthia Cardui (the Painted lady), of which species, indeed, Drury appears to have regarded it as a geographical variety.

The caterpillar, according to Abbot, is of a brown colour, with the incisions, and a lateral line yellow; it has also two dorsal lines, formed of alternately white and red points; the head is black, and the spines, with which the body is armed, are of the prevalent colour of the surface. It feeds upon the Gnaphalum obtusifolium. The chrysalis is rather yellow, with black spots, and is assumed towards the end of April or beginning of May. The butterfly appears at the end of about ten days. It continues breeding during the summer, and is very commonly seen sucking up moisture from damp places near houses. The caterpillar folds and spins the leaves together, in the same manner as the English Painted lady, Cynthia Cardui.

PIERIS (THESTIAS) PYRENE?

Plate [V]. fig. 2.

Order: Lepidoptera. Section: Diurna. Family: Papilionidæ, Leach.

Genus. Pieris, Schrank, Latr. et God. Pontia, p. Ochsenh. Horsfield. Papilio (Danai Candidi), Linn. Drury. Thestias, Boisduv. Teracolus, Swains.

Pieris (Thestias) Pyrene. "Alis flavis primoribus apice (medio fulvo) nigris, subtus nebuloso maculatis. Habitat in China." Lin. loc. cit. infra. (Expans. Alar. 2 unc. 9 lin.)

Syn. Papilio (Dan. Candid.) Pyrene, Linn. Syst. Nat. 2. 762. 86? Latr. et God. Enc. Méth. ix. 120.

P. Evippe, Lin. var. teste. Drury, App. vol. 2.

Pap. (Dan. Cand.) Sesia, Fab. Ent. Syst. III. 1. 203. 636.

Thestias Pirene, Boisd. Hist. Nat. Lep. 1. p. 593. No. 3.

Habitat: China (Drury). Asia (Linn.).

Upper Side. The anterior wings near the base are of a brimstone colour; the tips and external edges being of a dark brown, nearly black, surrounding a large patch of a fine orange. The posterior are of brimstone colour, with a border round their edges of dark brown. The male has not this border.

Under Side. Black; all the wings brimstone, without any marks, spots, or clouds whatever in the female, the male having its under side of a brighter yellow, with several reddish-brown spots on the inferior wings.

There is the greatest confusion respecting the specific names of this, and several nearly allied species, which would be very difficult to unravel. Drury considered this insect as a variety of Evippe, whilst Fabricius, Latrielle, and Godart, give it as identical with the Linnæan Pyrene, which opinion I have adopted, although I am by no means certain as to the identity of the species; the under side of the wings offering no trace of the central discoidal black spot existing in that species. M. Boisduval has not diminished the confusion, in his work just published, by giving a species from Guinea, under the name of Evippe (which Linnæus states is from China), with the erroneous observation, "Il est probable que les anciens auteurs auront confondu sous le nom d'Evippe trois ou quatre espèces Africaines."—Hist. Nat. Lépid. 1. p. 574.

CYNTHIA LAOMEDIA.

Plate [V]. fig. 3.

Order: Lepidoptera. Section: Diurna. Family: Nymphalidæ, Swains.

Genus. Cynthia, Fab. Vanessa p. Latr. et God. Papilio (Nymph. Gemmat.), Linn. Drury.

Cynthia Laomedia. Alis dentatis cinerascentibus lineis fuscis transversis undulatis ocellisque (quibusdam cœcis) serie posticâ digestis; anticarum sex, posticarum quinque. (Expans. Alar. 2 unc. 9 lin.)

Syn. Papilio (Nymph. Gemmat.) Laomedia, Linn. Syst. Nat. 2. 772. No. 145. Fabricius, Ent. Syst. III. 1. p. 98. No. 302. Cramer, pl. 8. f. 10. Herbst. Pap. tab. 174. f. 1. 2.

Habitat: China (Drury). East India (Linn.). Java (Enc. Méth.).

Upper Side. The wings are of a greyish purple and a little dentated. The anterior have on each four irregular black lines, running from the anterior edge near the body half way cross the wings, and six eyes on each, near the external edge, whose irides are white, some of which are oval, and one, being larger than the rest, is filled up with black and red; some are very faint. The posterior wings have six oval eyes on each, with white irides; three of which are more distinct than the rest, two of them being filled up with red and black. Two dark irregular lines run along and near to their external edges.

Under Side. The wings are rather paler than on the upper side. A small irregular line begins about the middle of the anterior edge of the superior wings, and running cross them and the inferior ones, meets below the body. The anterior wings have a distinct dark spot, and also a faint one. The posterior ones have two distinct red and black spots, and another very faint.

PLATE VI.

ARGYNNIS NIPHE.

Plate [VI]. fig. 1.

Order: Lepidoptera. Section: Diurna. Family: Nymphalidæ, Swains.

Genus. Argynnis, Fabr. Latr. God. Argyreus, p. Scopoli. Papilio (Nymphal. Phalerati), Linn. Drury.

Argynnis Niphe. Alis supra luteis nigro maculatis, anticis ad apicem cœrulescenti-nigris fasciâ albâ transversâ; posticis subtus viridi, argenteo, nigroque variis, strigâ quinque ocellorum notatis. (Expans. Alar. 3 unc. 9 lin.)

Syn. Papilio (Nymph. Phal.) Niphe, Linn. Syst. Nat. 2. 785. No. 208. Fabr. Ent. Syst. III. 1. p. 142. No. 436.

Habitat: China.

Upper Side. The anterior wings near the base are of a brown olive. About half the wings (from the lower angle upwards) are of a dark blue, with many different shaped spots on them, and a white bar running from the anterior edge towards the external one, which, being intersected by the black tendons of the wing, appears like three steps. All the wings are dentated or scolloped. The posterior ones are of a clay colour, with many black spots on them, of various forms. A black border runs along the external edges, narrowed as it approaches the external angle, on which appear two rows of blue spots like crescents, whose convex sides are placed opposite each other.

Under Side. The white bar on the anterior wings appears as on the upper side, from whence to the tips is an olive colour, whereon are some silver spots; the remainder as on the upper side. The posterior wings are of an olive hue, finely variegated with some white silvery spots and marks. A line of this colour runs along the external edges almost close to the scollops, and above that are five round spots of a darker olive, with small white dots in their centres.

ARGYNNIS TEPHNIA.

Plate [VI]. fig. 2.

Order: Lepidoptera. Section: Diurna. Family: Nymphalidæ, Swains.

Genus. Argynnis, Fab. Latr. God. Papilio (Nymph. Phalerat.), Linn. Drury.

Argynnis Tephnia. Alis subrotundatis dentatis, supra luteis nigro maculatis, posticis subtus viridi argenteo nigroque variegatis serie quinque ocellorum. (Expans. Alar. 3 unc. 3 lin.)

Syn. Papilio (Nymph. Phal.) Argynnis, Drury, App. v. 2. Herbst. Pap. t. 254. f. 5. 6.

Papilio Niphe, var. Fabr. Ent. Syst. III. 1. p. 142.

P. Niphe mas. Cramer, Pap. 2. pl. 14. f. D. E.

Argynnis Tephnia, Latr. et God. Enc. Méth. ix. p. 262. No. 18.

Habitat: China.

Upper Side. The wings are of a brown orange, having many black spots, of different sizes and shapes on them. A black scolloped border runs along the external edges of the posterior wings, whereon are two rows of tawny red spots, appearing like crescents, with their convex sides placed against each other. All the wings are scolloped or dentated.

Under Side. The anterior wings, toward the body, are brown orange. The tips are of a yellowish flesh colour, with some olive spots on them, with black spots, as on the upper side. The posterior wings are of a yellow flesh colour, marked with some olive spots, and white marks, which seem of a silver hue. A margin of olive colour runs along the external edges, whereon is a row of flesh-coloured crescents (as on the upper side), with an intersected narrow line above them. Over these, are five round olive spots, of equal sizes, with a dot of silver in their centres.

The specific name given to this species by Drury, having the priority in point of date, would have been retained, had it not been identical with that of the genus to which it belongs. Engramelle and several other authors have, inadvertently, given it as an inhabitant of the south of Europe.

PLATE VII.

NYCTALEMON PATROCLUS.

Plate [VII]. fig. 1. (Upper Side). Plate [VIII]. fig. 1. (Under Side).

Order: Lepidoptera. Section: Nocturna. Family: Uraniidæ, Westw.

Genus. Nyctalemon, Dalman. (Prod. Monogr. Castn.) Urania. Divis. C. Latr. et God. Papilio (Equit. Achiv. Linn.), Noctua, Fabr.

(Subgenus. Orontes, Swainson, Zool. Illustr. 2d. series, 125.)

Nyctalemon Patroclus. Alis supra fuscis, subtus griseis fusco undatis, utrinque fasciâ communi mediá rectâ albâ, posticis caudatis. (Expans. Alar. fere 6 unc.)

Syn. Papilio (Eq. Achiv.) Patroclus, Linn. Syst. Nat. 2. 749. No. 24. Cramer, Pap. pl. 198. fig. A. pl. 109. fig. A. B. Herbst. Pap. tab. 54. fig. 2. 3. tab. 55. f. 1.

Noctua Patroclus, Fab. Ent. Syst. 3. 2. p. 8. No. 2.

Urania Patroclus, Latr. et God. Enc. Méth. ix. 710.

Habitat: China (Drury). Java, Amboyna (Enc. Méth.).

Upper Side. The antennæ are about an inch long, slender, setaceous, and gradually diminishing from the base to the extremities. The head is small. The thorax is clothed with long soft hair, and, with the abdomen, is of a darkish brown. A remarkable straight narrow line, or bar, of a cream colour, arises from the middle of the anterior edge of each of the fore wings, and, crossing both anterior and posterior wings, ends at the abdominal edges, about half an inch below the abdomen; so that, when the wings are extended, as in the figure, these lines, with the anterior edges, form an equilateral triangle. The space within the triangle is dark brown; but the parts, near the shoulders, are lighter, having a greyish cast or hue, and contain many small transverse curved streaks, extending to the anterior edges, where they are large, black, and very conspicuous, like stripes. Some transverse markings of this kind, are dispersed on the posterior edges of the superior wings, and also on the abdominal edges of the posterior. On the outside the triangle, both on the anterior and posterior wings, is a fascia, of light brown, about half an inch broad, which deepens into a dark brown. On the posterior wings, after becoming dark, it softens again into the same light colour, continuing to the external edges. Each of these wings is ornamented with two tails, the inner ones the longest and near an inch in length, the tips of which incline towards each other; the lesser or outer tails, are about half an inch long, strengthened by the tendons of the wings passing through the middle of them; all of them being bordered with a soft ray of dark brown.

Under Side. The bars or lines, which form the triangle on the upper side, are not visible on this; but the inclosed triangular field appears of a light greyish brown, darker at the borders, and thickly beset with small brown streaks, parallel to each other, and surrounding the body. The costal nerve of the anterior wings composes an edging in each, about an eighth of an inch broad, which diminishes as it approaches the external angle, white, and beautifully marked with black streaks, but smaller than those seen on the upper side. Outside the triangle, both in the anterior and posterior wings, is a broad border of white, which softens into a brown, but lighter than that on the upper side. Both in the white, and in the brown, are some small dashes of black, very thinly dispersed. The internal margin of the posterior wings is furnished with a deep fringe, and the black marks situated below the abdomen, are larger and broader than those on the upper side. The tails are whitish, bordered with brown, and appear as on the upper side.

This is one of those anomalous forms, whereof examples occur in every tribe of animals, baffling the skill of the most profound systematists. By Linnæus, and many other authors, it was considered as a butterfly, and certainly the genus Urania (in which it is placed by Latreille), as we learn from Mr. W. S. MacLeay's valuable memoir upon that genus, published in the first volume of the Transactions of the Zoological Society of London, is composed of day-flying species. Fabricius, however, regarded it as a moth, belonging to the genus Noctua, and nearly related to the genus Erebus, of which the Erebus Odora, figured in the third plate of the present volume, is a conspicuous species; and when we examine the structure of the palpi, and the spurs upon the posterior tibiæ, we find good reason for adopting this relation, admitting, at the same time, that the group in question is one which, from its various affinities and analogies, it is very difficult to assign to any single section.

CALLIMORPHA PHYLLIRA.

Plate [VII]. fig. 2.

Order: Lepidoptera. Section: Nocturna. Family: Arctiidæ, Steph.

Genus. Callimorpha, Latr. Leach. Hypercompa, Steph. Heraclia, Hubner. Phalæna Bombyx, Drury.

Callimorpha Phyllira. Alis anticis nigris lineis albidis apicalibus, literam B referentibus; posticis sanguineis maculis nigris. (Expans. Alar. 1 unc. 6 lin.)

Syn. Phalæna (Bombyx) Phyllira, Drury, Append. v. 2. Olivier, Enc. Méth. 5. 94. 236. Abbot and Smith, Ins. Georg. tab. 64.

Habitat: New York; taken on the 12th day of July.

Upper Side. The antennæ are black, small, and thread-like, near half an inch long; the head and thorax cream-coloured. Behind the head are two black spots, and on the thorax are three others, longer, and running parallel with it. The abdomen is scarlet, and on each segment is a black mark, forming a row, united together in the middle. All the wings are entire. The anterior ones black, with cream-coloured cilia; the interior edge, and part of the anterior, next the body, are margined with cream colour. A line of the same colour, runs from the body, parallel with, and near to the posterior edge, quite to the external one, where, suddenly returning, in a zigzag manner, it ends at the anterior edge, near the tips, and forms two angles, like a B, with a line placed across its top, or upper part. The posterior wings are scarlet, having a thin border of black, running along their external edges, with four black spots above it, those nearest the abdomen, being in shape like hearts.

Under Side. Like the upper: but the colours are more faint and less distinct.

The caterpillar of this species is brown, with small dorsal and lateral diamond-shaped yellow spots, emitting fascicles of hairs. It feeds, according to Abbot, on the cross-wort, corn, peas, wheat, &c. One of the caterpillars spun up on the 4th of April, and the moth appeared on the 29th. Another spun up on the 27th of May, and came out on the 16th of June. It continues breeding during most part of the summer.

SPILOSOMA NAIS.

Plate [VII]. fig. 3.

Order: Lepidoptera. Section: Nocturna. Family: Arctiidæ, Steph.

Genus. Spilosoma, Steph. Arctia, p. Schrank. Eyprepia, p. Ochs. Phalæna (Noctua), Drury.

Spilosoma Nais. Alis anticis nigris lineis tribus longitudinalibus fusco-fulvescentibus, duabus superioribus externè connexis, posticis pallidioribus margine irregulari nigro. (Expans. Alar. 1 unc. 9 lin.)

Syn. Phalæna (Noctua) Nais, Drury, Append. v. 2

Habitat: New York; taken on the 24th day of June.

Upper Side. The antennæ are black, and pectinated; the head and body are of a light yellowish brown. On the thorax are three black marks, running parallel with it, with several black spots on the abdomen. The anterior wings are black; the cilia of a light yellowish brown, which colour is continued along the interior edges, up to the body; some broad lines, of the same colour, occupy about two-thirds of the wing, running parallel with the anterior and interior edges. The posterior wings are of the same light yellowish brown, with a faint black spot on each, having a broad irregular border, of a faint black. running along the external edges, being very narrow in the middle. All the wings are plain and entire.

Under Side. Exactly like the upper, but the colours are less brilliant.

This species is nearly related to our common British species, Spilosoma lubricepida.

PLATE VIII.

GEOMETRA TRANSVERSATA.

Plate [VIII]. fig. 2.

Order: Lepidoptera. Section: Nocturna. Family: Geometridæ, Stephens.

Genus. Geometra, Linn. Stephens. Ennomos, Treitschke, Duponchel.

Geometra Transversata. Alis angulatis fusco-fulvescentibus undique strigis minutis transversis fasciâque tenui communi obscurâ notatis. (Expans. Alar. 2 unc.)

Syn. Phalæna (Geometra) transversata, Drury, Append. v. 2.

Habitat: New York.

Upper Side. The antennæ are filiform, half an inch in length. The head, thorax, abdomen, and wings, of a brown orange. All the wings are angulated and besprinkled with small short transverse streaks parallel to each other. A narrow brown line, beginning at the external angle of the anterior wings, and running in a transverse direction, crosses them and the posterior wings near the middle, meeting above the extremity of the abdomen.

Under Side. Exactly like the upper in every circumstance, except that the brown line is not to be seen.

This species seems nearly allied to the moths, which English collectors call the Thorns, and to which Stephens restricts the name of Geometra, but which M. Duponchel terms Ennomos.

BUPALUS CATENARIUS.

Plate [VIII]. fig. 3.

Order: Lepidoptera. Section: Nocturna. Family: Geometridæ, Steph.

Genus. Bupalus, Leach. Fidonia, p. Treitschke. Phalæna (Geometra), Drury.

Bupalus Catenarius. Fronte fulvâ; alis albis lunulâ mediâ; anticis strigis duabus undatis (scil. ante et pone medium), posticis strigâ unicâ, nigris. (Expans. Alar. 1 unc. 9 lin.)

Syn. Phalæna (Geometra) catenaria, Drury, App. v. 2. Fabr. Ent. Syst. III. 2. p. 140. No. 41. Gmel. Linn. S. N. 2461. 660.

Habitat: New York (Drury). "In Indiis" (Fabr.).

Upper Side. The head is orange-coloured; the eyes black; the antennæ are broad, and pectinated; the thorax white, with three spots of orange colour, one at each shoulder, the other at the base of the abdomen, where are two small black specks. The abdomen is white, and on each ring is a small black speck. The wings are white; and, on each anterior one, are two denticulated lines, running cross the wing, from the anterior to the interior edge, in a circular manner; the one near the base, the other near the external edge, which last forms, on each nerve, a small black speck like an arrow head. Between the two lines is a black spot near the anterior edge. The posterior wings have a similar line running cross them, from the anterior to the interior edges, in a circular manner, and, meeting a little above the extremity of the abdomen, with a black spot in each near the middle.

Under Side. Is similar to the upper, only the black spots are more conspicuous.

PLATE IX.

CERATOCAMPA IMPERIALIS.

Plate [IX]. fig. 1. 2.

Order: Lepidoptera. Section: Nocturna. Family: Bombycidæ, Steph.

Genus. Ceratocampa, Harris, Append. to Hitchcock's Geology of Massachusets. Cerocampa, Kirby & Spence, Ind. Introd. to Ent. Odonestis, Germar. Stephens. Lasiocampa, Latr. Schrank. Bombyx, Fabr.

Ceratocampa Imperialis. Alis flavis, fusco irroratis et variegatis, omnibus infra maculâ discoidali subocellari fuscâ. (Expans. Alar. 4 unc. 9 lin. ♂.—6 unc. ♀.)

Syn. Phalæna (Attacus) Imperialis, Drury, App. v. 2.

Bombyx Imperialis, Fabr. Ent. Syst. III. 1. p. 435. No. 89. Gmel. Lin. S. N. 2417. 510.

Phalæna Imperatoria, Abbot and Smith, Ins. Georgia, tab. 55. Oliv. Enc. Méth. 5. 56. 116.

Bombyx Didyma, Pal. Beauv. Ins. Lep. pl. 20.

Habitat: New York (Drury). India (Fabricius).

Upper Side. The antennæ are of a reddish colour, broad and pectinated, and, near the extremities, appear as if they were stripped of their comb-like appendages. The thorax and abdomen yellow, clouded with a light reddish-brown colour, inclining to crimson. The anterior wings are of a fine bright yellow, with several clouds on them of the same brown colour, whereof one takes its rise at the tips, and runs along the external edge to the lower corners, being narrower at the extremities than the middle, where it branches off, and unites to a large cloud near the shoulders. The yellow parts of all the wings appear as if sprinkled with dark irregular specks. The posterior wings are of the same bright yellow as the anterior, and have, in the middle of each, a small brown eye, with a lighter spot in its centre. An irregular bar of the same reddish brown colour crosses these wings, which, beginning at the outer angle, meets at the anal angle. The edges of all the wings are plain.

Under Side. The thorax and abdomen are yellow. All the wings are of the same yellow colour, and sprinkled with brown as on the upper side. The superior wings have on each a light reddish brown eye near the middle, with a light spot in the centre, and a round brown spot above it. The anterior margins next the body are of a reddish brown; and the same cloud that appears along the external edge of each wing on the upper side, appears also on this, but fainter. The inferior wings have a reddish brown eye in each near the middle, with a lighter spot in the centre, and of the same size as on the upper side.

The figure here given, is taken from the male; the female being much larger, expanding full six inches; the antennæ being thread-like, and not combed or pectinated as the male.

This species breeds twice in the year, namely in June and September. The caterpillar, according to Abbot, feeds on the plane-tree (Platanus occidentalis Linn.), oak, liquidambar, and pine trees. Some of them are of a tawny colour, others tawny and orange, others green. They are furnished with long rigid hairs, and the second and third segments of the body are also armed with two pair of short, erect, rugose horns. This insect is placed by Mr. Kirby in his new genus Cerocampa, together with Phalæna regalis, Fabr. Mr. Kirby had, however, evidently in view the caterpillars of the latter insect, when he proposed this generic name, and which are armed with numerous, long, erect, rigid spines, those near the head being curved, and giving the insect somewhat the appearance of a cockatoo. This larva is figured by Abbot and Smith, pl. 61, and specimens, admirably preserved by Abbot, are contained in the collection of the Entomological Society of London, presented by Mr. Kirby. There is also considerable difference between the chrysalides of these two insects, that of imperialis being more elongate, with a bifid tail, and with transverse rows of short abdominal spines, of which the chrysalis of regalis is destitute. One of the caterpillars observed by Abbot, went into the ground on the 16th of September, and the moth came out on the 4th of July. They are extremely difficult to rear in confinement.

NOCTUA SQUAMULARIS.

Plate [IX]. fig. 3.

Order: Lepidoptera. Section: Nocturna. Family: Noctuidæ, Steph.

Genus. Noctua, Auct.

Noctua Squamularis. Alis cinereis, anticis fasciâ irregulari centrali ferrugineâ, lineis duabus externè cinctâ, posticis fasciis duabus obscuris. (Expans. Alar. 1 unc. 9 lin.)

Syn. Phalæna (Noctua) Squamularis, Drury, Append. v. 2.

Habitat: New York; taken on the 11th day of May.

Upper Side. The antennæ are brown, like fine threads. The tegulæ of a pearl colour, standing up as if projecting from the back. The colours on the anterior wings are divided by a strong bar of a deep chocolate, running cross the wings near the middle, from the anterior to the posterior edges. This softens into a deep slate colour, covering that part of the wings down to the external edges. The part next the shoulders is of a light ash or pearl colour, whereon are two small black spots or stripes, situated near the anterior edge. On the dark part near the lower corner, run two small black irregular lines, from the posterior edge; one running cross the wing, the other only half across. The posterior wings are of a lightish brown, having two bars of a deep brown (almost black) rising from the abdominal edge, and crossing the wing upward, grow broader and fainter as they approach the middle and anterior edge.

Under Side. Is of a faint russet colour, having little or no marking thereon. All the wings are slightly dentated.

I am unable to ascertain to which of the modern genera of Noctuidæ, this and the following species are referrible.

NOCTUA UNDULARIS.

Plate [IX]. fig. 4.

Order: Lepidoptera. Section: Nocturna. Family: Noctuidæ, Steph.

Genus. Noctua, Auct.

Noctua Undularis. Alis subdentatis nigricantibus, strigis transversis undulatis circiter 8. (Expans. Alar. 2 unc.)

Syn. Phalæna (Noctua) undularis, Drury, App. vol. 2.

Habitat: New York.

Upper Side. The antennæ are brown and thread-like. The head, body, abdomen, and wings are of a very dark brown, bordering on black, and appear somewhat glossy. All the wings are a little dentated, and on the anterior ones, from the base to the extremity, is a series of black indented lines or bars, whereof the last or outer one is strong and conspicuous, crossing the wing from the anterior to the posterior edges, about a quarter of an inch from the external margin. The posterior wings are marked exactly like the superior.

Under Side. Is of a lighter colour, with the same kind of markings, but fainter.

PLATE X.

NYMPHALIS FERONIA.

Plate [X]. fig. 1. 2.

Order: Lepidoptera. Section: Diurna. Family: Nymphalidæ. Swains.

Genus. Nymphalis, Latr. Papilio (Nymphales Gemmati), Linn. Papilio Satyrus, Fabr. (Ent. Syst.).

Nymphalis Feronia. Alis subdentatis, supra cœruleo, fusco et albo marmoratis, omnibus ocellis sex iride simplici. (Expans. Alar. 3 unc. 6 lin.)

Syn. Papilio (Nymph. Gemm.) Feronia, Linn. Syst. Nat. 2. 770. No. 140. Fabr. Ent. Syst. III. 1. p. 226. No. 710. Cramer, pl. 192. fig. E. F. Herbst. Pap. tab. 225. fig. 1. 2. Latr. et God. Encycl. Méth. p. 428. (Nymphalis F.).

Habitat: Surinam (Drury). India (Linn. Fabr. incorrectly).

Upper Side. Antennæ black, with two small white spots at their bases, on the front of the head, and two more close to the eyes, on the top of the head; likewise two on the neck, and two longer ones on the thorax. The thorax and abdomen of a very dark blueish hazel. Anterior wings, next the shoulders, of a dark blueish hazel, black at the tips and outer margin, where are many different shaped flesh-coloured spots; the parts nearest the shoulders having many denticulated marks and dashes of a blue colour; some being also scattered all over the wings. About a third from the shoulder, near the anterior margin, on each wing, is a short, red, crooked line, which is seen on the under side. Near the outer margin are five ash-coloured spots, all of them being encircled with black, and some being edged with blue. Posterior wings of the same dark hazel as the anterior; the external edges being black between the scollops. Each wing is divided into a number of small different shaped spots margined with blue; and near the external margin are six black spots, whose irides are blue, having white ones in their centres. Below these is a double row of blue marks, like beards of arrows, placed on the black marks between the scollops. All the wings are dentated.

Under Side. Anterior wings whitish, about a third part at the base; the remainder being a dark chocolate, with many different shaped ash-coloured spots. Near the external edges are five round ash-coloured spots on a row, one being placed above the rest. Posterior wings chiefly whitish, except at the outer angle and external edges; the latter being alternately marked with dark chocolate and ash colour, near which is a row of four round ash-coloured spots, encircled with chocolate, and a small faint one near the anal angle.

PIERIS (IPHIAS) GLAUCIPPE.

Plate [X]. fig. 3. 4.

Order: Lepidoptera. Section: Diurna. Family: Papilionidæ, Leach.

Genus. Pieris, Schrank. Latr. et God. Colias, Horsf. Papilio (Danai Cand.), Linn. Drury. Iphias, Boisduv.

Pieris (Iphias) Glaucippe. Alis supra albis, anticis maculâ magnâ apicali (medio fulvo) nigrâ, subtus (nisi dimidio basali anticarum) cinereis strigis minutis fuscis irroratis. (Expans. Alar. 4 unc.)

Syn. Papilio (Dan. Cand.) Glaucippe, Linn. Syst. Nat. 2. 762. No. 89. Fabr. Ent. Syst. III. 1. p. 198. No. 618. Cramer, Pap. pl. 164. A. B. ♂. C. ♀. Herbst. Pap. tab. 96. f. 1-3. Encycl. Méth. ix. p. 119. (Pieris G.), Boisduval, Hist. Nat. Lep. 1. p. 596. (Iphias G.)

Fem. Pap. Callirhoe, Fab. Mant. Ins. 2. 20. 215.

Habitat: China (Drury). Java (Dr. Horsfield). Bengal (Boisduval).

Upper Side. Head and neck light brown; thorax, dark blue, clothed with white hairs; abdomen white, with a blueish tinge. Anterior wings next the body white, occupying more than one half. The tips are black, which colour runs along the anterior and external margins, encircling a large spot of a deep orange, whereon are four small triangular black spots. Posterior wings wholly white, and very slightly dentated.

Under Side. The mouth, breast, and feet are ash-coloured. Anterior wings next the body white; the extremities of a deep flesh colour, sprinkled over with a great number of small dark brown streaks. Posterior wings of a yellowish flesh colour, and covered with small dark brown streaks.

M. Boisduval has formed the present species, and another large Pieridean, into the genus Iphias, which differs from Thestias, and Mancipium (Anthocharis Bdv.), in the structure of the antennæ. The larva and pupa of this species are described and figured by Dr. Horsfield, in his Lepidoptera Javanica, pl. 3, fig. 7, and 7a, (copied by Boisduval, pl. 2A. fig. 3.). The former is long subcylindrical, with the dorsal segments somewhat rugose, being transversely shagreened; it feeds upon the Capparis. The pupa is navicular, the head being produced into a point. The female imago differs from the figure here given (which represents the male), in having the black markings more diffused.

PLATE XI.

PAPILIO PHILENOR.

Plate [XI]. fig. 1. and 4.

Order: Lepidoptera. Section: Diurna. Family: Papilionidæ, Leach.

Genus. Papilio, Auct.

Pap. Philenor. Alis dentatis nigris, posticis caudatis virescenti-nitidis maculis albis, subtus maculis fulvis albo notatis serieque digestis. (Expans. Alar. unc. 3¾).

Syn. Pap. Philenor, Linn. Mant. (1771). 6. 535. Fabr. Syst. Ent. p. 445. No. 12. Smith and Abbot, Ins. Georgia, Vol. 1. tab. 3. Encycl. Méth. 9. 40. Boisduval, Hist. Nat. Lepid. 1. p. 324. No. 167. Boisd. et Leconte, Icon. Lep. Amer. Sept. pl. 11. f. 1-4. Say, American Ent. Vol. 1. pl. 1.

Pap. Astinous. Drury, App. Vol. 2. (1773). Cramer, 208. A. B.

Habitat: North America, from New York to Georgia.

Upper Side. Head and neck black, with two small white spots between the antennæ at their base, and eight more on the head and neck. Thorax black. Abdomen of a glossy hue. Anterior wings black, with a very glossy greenish tinge at the anterior angle, with eight small, white, narrow crescents on the external margin of each, which make them appear as if dentated. Posterior wings of a dark glossy green, with two tails issuing from them. The concave part of each scollop is edged with white; and six whitish spots run along their edges, meeting below the extremity of the body.

Under Side. Breast, legs, and abdomen black; the sides spotted with cream-coloured spots, one of which appears on the inferior wings, on each side the breast. Anterior wings, next the tips, are of the colour of soot; but next the body, black, with five whitish spots on the external margin, near the interior angle. The upper part of the posterior wings, next the body, are soot-coloured; the remaining parts of them being of a glossy blue, with seven dark orange spots, placed in a circular manner, a little distance from the edge, and meeting at the extremity of the body: each spot is encircled with black, except in that part where a small silver mark appears on its edge, being represented in the plate by white. The scollops are deeper edged on this side with white than on the upper.

This butterfly is one of the most beautiful, and, at the same time, most common of the North American species; abounding wherever the Aristolochia serpentaria grows, the larva feeding upon that plant. It is described by Boisduval and Abbot, and is brown, with four rows of small fulvous tubercles, and a row of brown spines near the legs; moreover, it has two long spines directed forwards upon the first segment, three upon the penultimate, and two upon the tenth segment. The neck is also furnished with a furcate retractile reddish tentacle; the chrysalis is of a violet grey, or reddish colour, with two yellow spots, the head being truncate. The female is larger, with brown-coloured wings, with cupreous reflections. The insect assumes the chrysalis state on the 26th of April, and the fly appears on the 4th of May. Another, observed by Abbot, went into chrysalis on the 21st of June, and the butterfly came out on the 5th July. The latter delights to frequent the blossoms of the peach and other trees in the spring.

PAPILIO ASTERIAS.

Plate [XI]. fig. 2. 3. and 5.

Order: Lepidoptera. Section: Diurna. Family: Papilionidæ, Leach.

Genus. Papilio, Auct.

Papilio Asterias. Alis dentatis nigris, fasciâ maculari maculisque marginalibus flavis; posticis caudatis, angulo ani fulvo, puncto atro, abdominis dorso duplici serie punctorum flavorum. (Expans. Alar. 3 unc. 6 lin.—4 unc.)

Syn. Papilio Asterias, Fabr. Mant. Ins. tom. 2. p. 2. No. 13. Ent. Syst. III. 1. p. 6. No. 16. Cramer, tab. 385. f. C. D. God. Enc. Méth. ix. p. 58. No. 91. Boisduv. et Lec. Icon. Lep. Amer. Sept. pl. 4. Boisd. Hist. nat. Lep. 1. 332. No. 175.

Papilio Troilus, Drury, App. Vol. 2. Abbot and Smith, Ins. Georg. 1. t. 1. (exclus. Syn. Linn. et Fabr.)

Habitat: New York, Maryland, Carolina, Virginia (Drury).

Upper Side. Antennæ, head, and body black, with two yellow spots at the bases of the antennæ, and two more on the neck; the sides of the abdomen being spotted with two rows of the same. Anterior wings black. A row of eight or nine yellow spots runs along each wing, near the external edge. Within these appears another row, smaller in figure 3, but larger in figure 2, and shaped like triangles, above which are two spots, one nearly round, the other very oblong, which last is not seen in figure 3. Posterior wings black and dentated, with one tail issuing from each. Six yellow spots appear near the external edge; and at the anal angle is an orange-coloured one, with a black dot in its centre. Some specimens have a yellow bar running transversely from the row of triangles on the superior wings, and meeting below the extremity of the body, just above the orange spot, as in fig. 2. In some, instead of a bar, is seen a row of spots (as in fig. 3), which are sometimes very faint. Where this happens, the space between this row and the six spots mentioned before, consists of a shining blue colour; but in proportion as the yellow bar is more or less distinct, the wings have more or less blue on them.

Under Side. The under side in all the different varieties differs but very little. The breast, sides, abdomen and feet are black. The anterior wings of a dirty black colour, with nine yellow spots near the external edge; above these, nearer the body, are eight others, varying in size, and two small clouds or patches close to the anterior edge. Posterior wings, next the shoulders, dirty black, with the inner scollops edged with yellow crescents (appearing also on the upper side), within which are six spots near the edge—four orange and two yellow. Seven or eight orange spots, tipped with yellow, run circularly across the middle of the wing. Below each spot in this row is a ray of shining blue, separated by a strong black mark, and scattered with powder-like spots. An orange spot, with a black centre, is placed at the anal angle.

This species is subject to considerable variation in the size of the internal series of yellow spots, which is sometimes even entirely obliterated in the females, in which the yellow is much less brilliant, and the spots smaller than in the males. These varieties somewhat resemble Papilio Troilus of Linnæus, with which, indeed, Drury and Smith[^[21]] confounded the insect here described. Godart and Boisduval have added to the confusion by their incorrect references to our author, the first of these writers giving figure 2 of this plate as alone representing P. Asterias, and figs. 3, 4, and 5, (which represent two distinct species) as P. Troilus, Linn. which species Drury has not figured; and both of these authors quoting figure 2, both under Troilus and Asterias, although Drury expressly states, that the specimens figured at 2 and 3, were reared by him, with many other individuals, from chrysalides, sent from America by his correspondent, who assured him that they proceeded from the same brood. The preparatory states of P. Asterias are figured by Abbot and Smith, and Boisduval. The larva feeds upon Umbelliferæ, especially the fennel (Anethum fæniculum, Linn.), and Daucus Carota, and is very similar to that of Pap. Machaon, which species appears to be replaced in America by P. Asterias, and which makes its appearance in the perfect state three times in the year. Abbot states, that one of the caterpillars assumed the chrysalis state on the 12th of July, and the imago appeared on the 20th.

PLATE XII.

PAPILIO PARIS.

Plate [XII]. fig. 1. 2.

Order: Lepidoptera. Section: Diurna. Family: Papilionidæ, Leach.

Genus. Papilio, Auct.

Papilio Paris. Alis nigris, aureo-viridi pulverulentis, posticis caudatis supra maculâ magnâ discoidali cyaneâ ocelloque purpureo; subtus lunulis septem rufis. (Expans. Alar. 4 unc.—4 unc. 9 lin.)

Syn. Papilio (Equit. Troes.) Paris, Linn. Syst. Nat. 2. p. 745. No. 3. Fab. Ent. Syst. III. 1. p. 1. No. 1. Cramer, pl. 103. A. B. Esper. Aus. Schmett. tab. 2. fig. 1. Boisduval, Hist. Nat. Lep. 1. p. 208.

Habitat: China.

Upper Side. Head, thorax, and abdomen black, and beautifully powdered with fine green specks. All the wings are black, but have a greenish hue, occasioned by a multitude of powder-like specks of a fine green. On the posterior margin of the anterior wings, near the lower corner, arises a series of green spots, becoming weaker, disappearing near the middle of the wing, and composed of powder-like specks. Posterior wings scolloped or dentated, each furnished with one tail, each scollop being edged with white. At the anal angle, near the corner, is a deep red spot, shaped like a semi-eye, whose pupil is black; and towards the upper corner of the wing, is a large and very splendid blue spot, appearing in some directions of a saxon green colour, and diminishing to a line as it approaches the semi-eye, over which it extends in an arch-like form, being there of a fine green colour.

Under Side. It has apparently no palpi. Breast and abdomen of a very dark brown. The superior wings dark brown at the base; from the middle of the anterior edge of a dark ash colour, running towards the upper corner, the tendons between being dark brown, which unite together at the external edge. Posterior wings almost black, sprinkled, or finely powdered, with small grey specks near the abdomen; round the external edge is a series of eye-like rings of an orange colour, edged above with purple.

This very handsome species is often received from China, but in an imperfect condition. The female, according to Godart (Enc. Méth. ix. p. 67.) is the Papilio Bianor, Fabr. which has no trace of the shining green spot on the posterior wings. M. Boisduval, however, asserts, that this is not correct, and that the female differs only from the male in having the ground of the wings rather darker, and possessing a transverse interrupted fascia of green dots near the external margin of the upper wing; these being represented in Drury's figure, therefore indicate that his specimen was of the female sex.

Dr. Horsfield has figured another species from Java (Lepid. Javan. pl. 1. fig. 14.), differing very slightly from the preceding, under the name of Papilio Arjuna, of which he has also figured the larva and pupa (pl. 4. fig. 11.). The former has the three first segments of the body covered, as it were, with a leathery shield, elevated behind, and ornamented with several ocelli; the other segments are simple; the chrysalis is considerably curved, with the head bifid.

COLIAS (CALLIDRYAS) PYRANTHE, var.?

Plate [XII]. fig. 3. 4.

Order: Lepidoptera. Section: Diurna. Family: Papilionidæ, Leach.

Genus. Colias, Latr. et God. Papilio (Danai Candidi), Drury. Callidryas, Boisduval.

Colias (Callidryas) Pyranthe. Alis albis, anticis supra puncto minuto discoidali apiceque nigris, margine interno penicillatis, subtus (nisi basi anticarum) flavescentibus strigis numerosissimis fuscis. (Expans. Alar. 3 unc.)

Syn. Papilio (Dan. Cand.) Pyranthe, Linn. Syst. Nat. 2. p. 763. No. 98? Latr. et God. Enc. Méth. ix. p. 97. (Colias P.), Boisduval, Hist. Nat. Lepid. 1. p. 611. (Callidryas P.)

Papilio (Dan. Cand.) Chryseis, Drury, Append. vol. 2.

Papil. Gnoma, Fabr. Ent. Syst. III. 1. p. 210. No. 658?

Pap. Nepthe, Fabr. loc. cit. p. 120?

Habitat: China.

Upper Side. Thorax of a blueish black, with white hairs. Abdomen white. Anterior wings white, with a small oblong black spot near the middle of each; black at the tips, which colour extends down the external edge to the interior angle, and also runs a little way along the anterior margin towards the body. Posterior wings white, without any marks or shades. The edges of all the wings are entire.

Under Side. Breast, feet, abdomen, and anterior superior wings white, being covered about a third part from the tips with small, longish, light-brown streaks, making that part appear of a pale yellow. Posterior wings of the same pale yellow with the small streaks. One sex is very remarkable for having a number of hairs growing on the posterior edges of the anterior wings, next the body; some of which are erect, some bending downwards, and some lying flat on the wing.

There is much confusion respecting the specific names of this and several other Asiatic species, as may be seen from the citations in the synonyms. I have followed the French authors in assigning Drury's insect to the Pyranthe of Linnæus, although that author describes his insect as having a discoidal red spot on each of the wings beneath. The species of this group are variable in the intensity of their markings, and the males are less strongly marked than the females; and as Drury's figure represents a male (distinguished by the bundle of hairs on the interior margin of the anterior wings) it may possibly be an extreme variety of the male of Pyranthe. Boisduval has indeed described another species of considerably smaller size, which is destitute of the discoidal spot (Call. minna), which also, he considers, may possibly be a variety of C. Pyranthe.

PLATE XIII.

ARGYNNIS IDALIA.

Plate [XIII]. fig. 1.3. ♀.—2. ♂.

Order: Lepidoptera. Section: Diurna. Family: Nymphalidæ, Swains.

Genus. Argynnis, Fabr. Latr. et God. Argyreus, Scop. Dryades, Hubn. Papilio (Nymphales Phalerati), Linn. Drury.

Argynnis Idalia. Alis dentatis, anticis utrinque fulvis nigro-maculatis; posticis suprà nigro-cœruleis, punctorum serie duplici, subtùs fuscis costâ baseos maculisque 26 argenteis. (Expans. Alar. ♂. 3 unc. 6 lin.—♀. 4 unc.)

Syn. Papilio (Nymph. Phal.) Idalia, Drury. Herbst. Pap. tab. 252. 253. Cramer, pl. 44. fig. D. E. F. G. Fabr. Ent. Syst. III. 1. 145. No. 446. Latr. et God. Enc. Méth. ix. 263. (Argynnis Id.)

Habitat: New York (Drury); taken on the 28th June. Jamaica (Enc. Méth.).

Upper Side. Head and thorax of a deep brown orange. Anterior wings of a dark orange, the anterior and external margins bordered with black; near the latter are eight white spots on the wings of the female. Above these, in the female, are five, and in the male six, round black spots; those of the latter being smallest. Several black waves and streaks are dispersed on other parts of the wings. Posterior wings of a fine dark blue, almost black, and slightly dentated; the anterior ones being entire. Near the external margin is a row of seven cream-coloured spots, which in the male are red. Above these, is another row of the same number of cream-coloured spots, situated near the middle of the wings. The base of these wings is covered with brown orange-coloured hairs.

Under Side. Head, breast, and feet dark blue, nearly black. Anterior wings dark orange, with some triangular silver spots placed along the external edges, whose upper points are edged with black, and are generally more distinct in the female than in the male. The several black waves and streaks seen on the upper side, are here more faint, some being scarcely visible. Posterior wings of a dark olive brown, with twenty-six different shaped silver spots on each; one of which, in the centre of the wing, is divided by a short black line.

PAMPHILA PHYLÆUS.

Plate [XIII]. fig. 4. 5.

Order: Lepidoptera. Section: Diurna. Family: Hesperiidæ, Stephens.

Genus. Pamphila, Fabr. Hesperia (urbicolæ), Fabr. Latr. et God. Papilio (Pleb. urb.) Drury, Linn.

Pamphila Phylæus. Alis rufo-fulvis, anticis supra fasciâ obliquâ interruptâ (mas.) maculâve arcuatâ (fœmina) limboque postico fuscis, posticis ibidem extùs fusco marginatis. (Expans. Alar. 1½ unc.).

Syn. Papilio (Hesp. urb.) Phylæus, Drury, Latr. et God. Enc. Méth. ix. p. 767. No. 112. (Hesperia Ph.)

Hesperia (urb.) Vitellius, Fabr. Ent. Syst. III. 1. p. 327. No.. 240

Pamphila Vitellius, Steph. Illust. Brit. Ent. H. 1. p. 103. Haworth, in Trans. Ent. Soc. Vol. 1. p. 334. Abbot and Smith, Ins. Georgia, tab. 17.

Habitat: Antigua, St. Christopher's, Nevis, &c. (Drury). Antilles and Brazil (Enc. Méth.).

Upper Side. Thorax and abdomen of a yellowish olive. Superior wings of a tawny yellow, having a dark brown (almost a black) indented margin, running along the external margin, from the tips to the lower corners. Near the middle of each wing are two dark-brown spots, one oblong, the other of a longish square form, the former being the largest. Inferior wings tawny yellow, and angulated, having a dark brown indented margin.

Under Side. Wings tawny yellow, but rather paler than on the upper side. The anterior with several dark brown angular spots, placed along the external edges, and in the middle of the wings, with a large one near the shoulders. Posterior wings also spotted with many small dark brown spots, some being scarcely visible.

A specimen of this species is stated to have been captured by the late Dr. Abbot in Bedfordshire. It is most probable, however, now that the Pamphila Bucephalus has been proved to be an indigenous species, that the specimen the capture of which is recorded by Mr. Haworth, belonged to that species. The caterpillar of this skipper-butterfly feeds upon a species of panic grass (Panicum Crus-Galli) and on the buffalo grass.

PLATE XIV.

NYMPHALIS BOLINA.

Plate [XIV]. fig. 1. 2.

Order: Lepidoptera. Section: Diurna. Family: Nymphalidæ.

Genus. Nymphalis. Latr. God. Papilio (Nymphal. Phal.), Linn. Drury.

Nymphalis Bolina. Alis dentatis, supra nigris, anticis maculis duabus, posticis solitariâ magnâ, cœruleo-albis, subtus corticinis fascià albâ. (Expans. Alar. 3 unc. 6 lin.)

Syn. Papilio (Nymph. Ph.) Bolina, Linn. Syst. Nat. 2. p. 781. No. 188. Cramer, pl. 65. fig. E. F. Herbst. Pap. tab. 244. fig. 3. 4. Fabr. Ent. Syst. III. 1. p. 126. No. 384. Latr. et God. (Enc. Méth.) ix. 396. No. 157. (Nymphalis Bol.)

Habitat: Bombay, Surinam, all the West Indian Islands, New York, Carolina, Brazil, Cape of Good Hope, Malabar, Coromandel, China, Ceylon (Drury). "In Indiæ orientalis Portulaca" (Fabr.). Cayenne (Enc. Méth.).

Upper Side. Three white spots, one before, and two behind, on the head, which, with the thorax and abdomen, is of a blackish brown. Wings dentated, and of a dark chocolate colour, almost black; but when held against the light, in a certain direction, display a blueish purple. Anterior wings, in the middle, having a large oval, and another smaller oblong white spot at the tips. Posterior wings with a large white spot, larger than that in the superior ones. On the edges of all these spots, the purple colour before-mentioned, is very conspicuous.

Under Side. Palpi white. The sides of the thorax spotted with white. Anterior wings, next the body, of a reddish chocolate; but near the tips, of a dirty olive. The large and small white spots appear here as on the upper side; with three small angular white spots, close to the anterior margin, near the middle. Along the external edge, is a row of white crescents on a black border; over which are six small, round, faint, white spots. Posterior wings, next the body, of a dirty olive; but toward their external edges, more of a chocolate, with a broad central white bar running entirely across the wing, with a small angular black mark, near the anterior margin. Along the external edges, is a row of white crescents; above which is a row of small white triangular spots, placed two and two, between the crescents. Above this, six small round white spots are placed in a row.

The flight of this species is said by Drury to be exceedingly quick and rapid, so that it is very difficult to catch them, and hence they are seldom obtained in fine condition, being generally secured in a faded state when they are taken with more ease. The purple tint upon the upper side of the wings is most intense, and when the insect flies in the sun, glancing before the eye of the observer at a little distance (for it is by no means a timid creature), the vivid purple, observes Drury, is not much less than the electrical spark, and its changes depending on the degree of obliquity which it presents to the sun, are scarcely less rapid.

NYMPHALIS IPHICLA.

Plate [XIV]. fig. 3, 4.

Order: Lepidoptera. Section: Diurna. Family: Nymphalidæ, Swains.

Genus. Nymphalis, Latr. God. Papilio (Nymph. Phal.), Linn. Fabr. God.

Nymphalis Iphicla. Alis denticulatis, supra fuscis, fasciá communi albâ antrorsùm rotundatâ, retrorsùm acuminatâ; anticis suprà maculâ apicis, et auguli analis, ferrugineis. (Expans. Alar. 2 unc. 9 lin.)

Syn. Papilio (Nymph. Phal.) Iphicla, Linn. Syst. Nat. 2. 380.

Papilio (N. P.) Iphicla, Drury, App. v. 2. Fabr. Ent. Syst. III. 1. p. 135. 417. Cramer, pl. 188. fig. E. F. (var.?)

Papilio Basilea, Cram. pl. 188. fig. D. (♂).

Papilio Cytherea, Cram. pl. 376. C. D. (♀).

P. Cythereus, Herbst. Pap. tab. 284. f. 1. 2.

P. Iphicla, Herbst. Pap. 148. fig. 3. 4.

Nymphalis Iphicla, Enc. Méth. ix. 374.

Habitat: Surinam (Drury). Guiana and Brazil (Enc. Méth.).

Upper Side. Thorax and abdomen nearly black. Anterior wings of a light liver colour, having some faint lines a little waved, of a darker colour, running along the external edges. Each has an orange spot, situated at a small distance from the tip, and joining to the anterior margin. Posterior wings dentated, and angular at the anal angle, of the same colour as the anterior; with the same faint waved subapical lines. In the middle of the anterior wings arises a bar of a very pale brimstone colour, near a quarter of an inch broad, and which extends to the anal angle of the posterior wings, below which is an orange spot.

Under Side. All the wings, next the body, are marked and clouded with lines and marks of ash colour and olive brown. The pale brimstone bar is seen very distinctly on this side; and the two orange spots on the upper side of the anterior wings, here assume a tinge of flesh colour, separated in the middle by the tendon, which is of an orange cast. The faint waved lines also are very conspicuous, of a very dark flesh colour, shaded with brown.

PLATE XV.

VANESSA CHARONIA.

Plate [XV]. fig. 1. 2.

Order: Lepidoptera. Section: Diurna. Family: Nymphalidæ, Swains.

Genus. Vanessa, Fabr. Latr. God. Curtis. Hamadryades, Hubn. Papilio (Nymphalis Phal.), Fabr. Drury.

Vanessa Charonia. Alis dentatis, supra nigris, fasciâ communi submarginali cœruleâ, in posticis serie punctorum nigrorum divisâ; anticis apice productis, posticis subcaudatis. (Expans. Alar. 3 unc.)

Syn. Papilio (Nymph. Phal.) Charonia, Drury, App. v. 2. Cramer, Pap. tab. 4. pl. 47. fig. A. B. C. Fabr. Ent. Syst. III. 1. p. 119. No. 304. Enc. Méth. ix. p. 308. 27 (Vanessa Ch.).

Habitat:: China (Drury). India (Fabr.).

Upper Side. The thorax and abdomen black, and furnished with grayish hair. The ground of all the wings is black; but towards the body inclines to copper. On the anterior wings, near the tips, is a white spot placed close to the anterior edge. This edge is narrowly bordered with blue, and dappled with little wave-like stripes of black; from whose middle an oblique blue spot, almost half an inch long, extends down the wings. A little below this, arises a light blue bar of lunules, which runs even with the external edge, and is continued transversely across the posterior wing, excluding the anal angle. On this blue bar, in the posterior wings, are placed six small black angular spots. Beneath these is a narrow double border of blue, running along their external margin. All the wings are deeply dentated and angulated.

Under Side. The ground of the wings is of a dark orange, with various broad transverse purplish shades, and with a variety of irregular small wave-like markings, and different tints of brown, intermingled with orange shades.

The under side of the male is of a very dark brown, almost black, with some faint wavings, which are not so strong and beautiful as in the female.

ARGYNNIS ERYMANTHIS.

Plate [XV]. fig. 3. 4.

Order: Lepidoptera. Section: Diurna. Family: Nymphalidæ.

Genus. Argynnis, Fab. Latr. God. Argyreus, Scop. Papilio (Danai Festiv.), Drury.

Argynnis Erymanthis. Alis subrotundatis, subdentatis, fulvis, anticis fasciâ flavescenti transversâ mediâ nigro maculatâ, apice nigris; posticis serie punctorum, duabusque lunularum nigrorum. (Expans. Alar, fere 3 unc. [Drury], 2 unc. [Enc. Méth.]).

Syn. Papilio (Dan. Fest.) Erymanthis, Drury, App. v. 2. Cramer, pl. 238. fig. 9. Fab. Ent. Syst. III. 1. p. 139. 427. Enc. Méth. ix. 257.

Papilio Lampetia, Cram. Pap. pl. 148 fig. E.

Habitat: China (Drury). Coromandel, Java (Enc. Méth.).

Upper Side. Head, thorax, and abdomen dark brown. Anterior wings, next the body, of a dark tawny orange, which colour occupies about half the wings, and is bounded by a very irregular line. A broad black patch occupies the tips of the wings, beginning about the middle of the anterior edge, and extends along the external one to the interior angle; on which, near the tips, are two clay-coloured round spots; and below them, in some specimens, are two more spots near the external edge. The space between the black patch and the tawny orange is of a clay colour, with three round black spots on it, the lower one the largest. Posterior wings tawny orange, the posterior edges being of a dirty brown; and above them are seen two rows of black crescents irregularly placed, over these are five round black spots. The wings are slightly dentated, the inferior ones most.

Under Side. All the wings clay colour. A dark, faint, engrailed line, composed of a number of crescents, joined together, runs transversely across the superior and inferior wings, extending to the anal angle.

HIPPARCHIA LEDA.

Plate [XV]. fig. 5. 6.

Order: Lepidoptera. Section: Diurna. Family: Nymphalidæ, Swains.

Genus. Hipparchia, Fabr. Stephens. Satyrus, Latr. et God. Argus p. Scop. Orcades, Hubn. Papilio (Nymphales Gemmati), Drury.

Hipparchia Leda. Alis angulatis supra corticino-fuscis; anticis ocello apicis sesquialtero in plagâ magnâ luteâ, posticis ocellis duobus; omnibus subtus griseo-reticulatis strigâ ocellorum. (Expans. Alar. 3 unc.)

Syn. Papilio (Nymph. Gemm.) Leda, Linn. Syst. Nat. 2. 773. No. 151. Drury, App. v. 2. Fabricius, Ent. Syst. 3. 1. p. 108. 333. Cramer, Pap. pl. 196. C. D. and pl. 292. fig. A. Encycl. Méth. ix. 478. No. 4. (Satyrus L.)

Papilio Solandra (var.?) Fabr. Ent. Syst. III.1. 106. 328. Donovan Ins. New Holl. pl. 23. f. 1.

Habitat: China (Drury). Ind. orient. (Weber MSS.). Sierra Leone (Fabr. ??). Mauritius (Encycl. Méth.). Otaheite and New Holland (Fabr. and Donovan, P. Solandra).

Upper Side. Antennæ, thorax, and abdomen of a dark brown colour. All the wings dark olive brown. On the anterior wings, near the tips, are two black circular spots united together: the lower one being the largest, each having a small white one in its centre. On the posterior wings are two black circular eyes, towards the anal angle; their irides being of a gold colour, and the pupils white. The superior wings are a little dentated, the inferior ones being angulated.

Under Side. All the wings, on this side, are of a very pale brown, marked all over with short, crooked, wave-like stripes, of a dark brown colour, almost black. On the anterior wings are four eyes, the largest, situated near the middle of the wing, is encircled with yellow, its centre being white; below this is a small one, and two other small ones are placed near the tips. Posterior wings, with a row of six black eyes near the external edge, whereof two are much larger than the rest; the irides of all being yellow, and the pupils white. That next the anal angle is sesquialterate. In some specimens these eyes are less distinct than in others; in some there are not more than five to be discerned, and only one on each superior wing; in others not more than three can be distinguished, the small ones being entirely wanting.

Drury observes (Introd. to vol. iii. p. 16.) that this insect very much resembles a species sent by Mr. Smeathman from Africa, which comes out only about sunset, and is then to be found in dark shades, wavering about amongst the early flying noctuæ, and other nocturnal species. In some manuscripts of the late Professor Weber of Kiel, in my possession, the East Indies are given as the habitat of this species.

PLATE XVI.

CASTNIA LICUS.

Plate [XVI]. fig. 1. 2.

Order: Lepidoptera. Section: Hesperi Sphinges (Latr.). Family: Castniidæ. Westw.

Genus. Castnia, Fabricius, Latr. God. Dalman. Papilio (Dan. Festiv.), Drury.

Castnia Licus. Alis integris, supra atris nitidis; anticis sesquifasciâ albâ, posticis serie marginali punctorum rubrorum fasciâque obliquâ albâ. (Expans. Alar. fere 4 unc.)

Syn. Papilio (Dan. Festiv.) Licus, Drury, App. v. 2. Cramer, pl. 223. fig. A. B. Fabr. Ent. Syst. III. 1. p. 45. No. 137. (Licas.)

Papilio Lycus, Herbst. Pap. tab. 134. f. 1. 2. Merian Surinam, tab. 36.

Castnia Licus, Latr. et God. Enc. Méth. ix. p. 797.

Habitat: Surinam.

Upper Side. The antennæ are dark brown, at the tips paler; and terminating in a point. The head, thorax, and base of the abdomen dark chocolate brown; the extremity and sides of the latter dark. Anterior wings of a fine deep chocolate brown. A narrow, irregular, and oblique cream-coloured bar runs across the wing; between this and the tip, from the anterior edge, runs another crooked irregular bar, of a much darker colour, reaching almost half across the wing towards the interior angle, the external margin being of a lighter shade. Posterior wings, having a white bar running transversely across the wing, widening by degrees, and ending at the anal angle. Six square orange spots also of different sizes, are placed within the external margin of these wings.

Under Side. Anterior wings, in the middle, dark chocolate; the tips dark fawn colour, lighter next the shoulders. The two irregular bars, on the upper side, are here a little broader. Within the external edge are three rather pearly white spots. Posterior wings greyish fawn colour, with the external edges darker. A pale pearl-coloured bar runs across the wing beyond the middle, widening gradually; below this are some very faint brown spots, and near the external edge some faint orange ones, scarcely visible. The edges of all the wings are entire.

The genus Castnia is another of those curious anomalous forms, which exhibit the characters of several groups. The general form of the wings is that of a moth, whilst the variegated colours, indicating diurnal flight, and the structure of the antennæ are those of a butterfly. It is much to be regretted, that travellers in South America have not ascertained the preparatory states of this extraordinary group, which alone will enable us satisfactorily to ascertain its real relations.

GASTROPACHA? OTUS.

Plate [XVI]. fig. 3.

Order: Lepidoptera. Section: Nocturna. Family: Bombycidæ, Steph.

Genus. Gastropacha? Ochsenh. Sphinx, Drury.

Gastropacha? Otus. Alis elongatis integris luteo-fuscis, anticis fasciis duabus denticulatis nigris. (Expans. Alar. 4 unc. 6 lin.)

Syn. Sphinx Otus. Drury, Append. v. 2.

Bombyx Agrius, Oliv. Enc. Méth. 5. 39. 56.

Habitat: Smyrna (Drury).

Upper Side. The antennæ and head are of a reddish brown; the former are strongly pectinated, and very broad in the middle, but at the extremities very narrow and curled. Thorax dark brown. Abdomen reaching half an inch below the wings of a reddish dun colour. Anterior wings dun colour; with a large spot or patch, of a darker colour, situated on the posterior margin, near the base. Two indented black lines run obliquely from the anterior edge, near the tip, to the posterior near the middle; the space between them being rather lighter than the rest. Posterior wings dun colour, immaculate. All the wings, both on the under and upper sides, appear very shining and glossy; the scales or feathers appearing, when viewed through a microscope, very coarse and long. There is no tongue discoverable in this moth.

Under Side. Breast and sides bright dun. The abdomen reddish dun. All the wings dun-coloured. The lower indented line appears faintly through the wing, of a dark brown colour, also a faint reddish brown indented line runs across the posterior wings. The edges of all the wings are entire.

This insect, which appears to have been overlooked by modern authors, seems to form a connecting link between Zeuzera and Gastropacha, agreeing with the former in the general form, and with the latter in the transverse denticulated fasciæ on the anterior wings, and the curved antennæ feathered to the tips.

PLATE XVII.

PAPILIO POLYDAMAS.

Plate [XVII]. fig. 1. 2.

Order: Lepidoptera. Section: Diurna. Family: Papilionidæ, Leach.

Genus. Papilio (Equit. Troj.) Linn.

Pap. Polydamas. Alis dentatis, nigro-virescentibus, fasciâ communi interruptâ flavâ, posticis subtus maculis linearibus flexuosis rubris, tribus argenteis adjectis. (Expans. Alar. unc. 4.)

Syn. Pap. Polydamas. Linn. Syst. Nat. 2. 747. No. 12. Merian. Surinam. pl. 31. Cramer Pap. 18. p. 33. pl. 211. f. D. E. Herbst. Pap. t. 10. f. 6. 7. Boisd. et Leconte Icon. des Chen. de l'Amer. Sept. pl. 1. Boisd. Hist. Nat. Lep. 1. 321. No. 162.

Habitat: America, from Georgia to Brazil, Antigua (Drury).

Upper Side. The head and thorax are black; with two red spots on the neck, and two small white spots at the base of the antennæ. All the wings are scolloped, and of a dark green colour. The anterior wings have a row of yellow spots rising near the tips, which, running across the middle of the inferior ones, in a circular manner, meet at the extremity of the body; some of them being shaped like the bearded points of arrows. The hollow or concave part of each scollop, in the inferior wings, is edged with yellow.

Under Side. The head, breast, feet, and abdomen are black; with several red spots on the sides, abdomen, and shoulders. All the wings are black; the anterior having some of the yellow spots that are seen on the upper side; with seven irregular red spots, placed along the edge of each posterior wing, and three silver spots or marks joining to the second, third, and fourth.

Linnæus states, that this insect inhabits the Hibiscus mutabilis. By other authors it is stated to feed upon the Aristolochia Serpentaria, or Virginian snake-root. The caterpillar is brown, with fleshy spines of the same colour, and red stripes, each segment also being ornamented with four eye-like spots, half yellow and half red.

NYMPHALIS ASSIMILIS.

Plate [XVII]. fig. 3. 4.

Order: Lepidoptera. Section: Diurna. Family: Nymphalidæ, Swains.

Genus. Nymphalis, Latr. et God. Papilio (Nymphalis Phal.), Linn. Drury.

Nymphalis Assimilis. Alis subrepandis nigris concoloribus, lineis maculisque albo-virescentibus, posticis strigâ apicali punctorum coccineorum. (Expans. Alar. fere 5 unc. [Drury] 3½ unc. [Enc. Méth.]).

Syn. Papilio (Nymphal. Phal.) assimilis, Linn. Syst. Nat. 2. p. 782. No. 194. Cramer, pl. 154. A. Esper. Pap. Exot. t. 57. f. 1. Fabr. Ent. Syst. III. 1. p. 39. No. 114. (Papilio Eq. Ach.)

Habitat: China.

Upper Side. Head black, with two white frontal spots. Thorax black, with three white stripes. Abdomen black, marked on the sides with white. Anterior wings sooty black, having a number of large spots and stripes on them of different forms and dimensions, of a greenish-grey colour. Near the external edge is a double row of sixteen small spots of the same greenish grey, and above them are five larger of a more circular shape. Posterior wings resemble the superior, but have a broad border of clearer black running along the external edge, whereon are five spots of a scarlet colour, inclining to pink, one having a small black spot in the middle. The wings are slightly dentated.

Under Side. Body black, and ornamented with round spots of clear white. At the base of the wings, is a remarkable round spot of a clear white, about the size of a pin's head. The wings are spotted as on the upper side, the greenish spots being rather larger, and in the inferior wings inclining to a yellow, the general ground of all the wings appearing more sooty on this side.

PLATE XVIII.

LIMACODES? ARENACEA.

Plate [XVIII]. fig. 1.

Order: Lepidoptera. Section: Nocturna. Family: Bombycidæ.

Genus. Limacodes? Latr. Apoda, Haworth. Heterogenea, Knoch. Phalæna Bombyx, Linn.

Limacodes? Arenacea. Lutea, alis superioribus supra atomis nigris adspersis. (Expans. Alar. 1 unc. 3 lin.)

Syn. Phalæna (Bombyx) arenacea, Linn. Syst. Nat. 2. p. 828. No. 65.

Habitat: Cape of Good Hope.

Upper Side. Antennæ pectinated, and of a yellow clay colour. The head and thorax yellow, but covered over with hairs in such manner that the former cannot be distinguished. The abdomen, superior and inferior wings yellow. On the anterior wings appear some very minute black spots scattered thereon in a very irregular manner. The wings are entire.

Under Side. The thighs, breast, and abdomen are very hairy. The superior and inferior wings of the same yellow colour as on the upper side, without a mark of any kind.

This insect appears most nearly to approach the genus Limacodes, Latr.

SATURNIA CECROPIA.

Plate [XVIII]. fig. 2.

Order: Lepidoptera. Section: Nocturna. Family: Bombycidæ.

Genus. Saturnia, Schrank. Latr. Attacus, Germar. Phalæna (Bombyx), Linn. &c.

Saturnia Cecropia. Alis anticis subfalcatis, posticis rotundatis; omnibus griseis fasciâ communi fulvâ maculâque reniformi ocelloque apicali (in anticis) ornatis. (Expans. Alar. 6 unc. 6 lin.)

Syn. Linn. Syst. Nat. v. 2. p. 809. No. 3. Cramer, Ins. 4. tab. 42. f. A. B. Catesby Carol. 86. t. 86. Abbot and Smith, Ins. Georgia, tab. 45. Fabr. Ent. Syst. III. 1. p. 408. No. 4. Gmel. Linn. S. N. 2401. 3. Oliv. Enc. Méth. 5. p. 25. 5.

Habitat: New York (Drury). North America (Linn. &c.).

Upper Side. Antennæ very broad, pectinated and black. The head is small and red. Neck white. Thorax covered with long orange-brown hairs. Abdomen alternately with broad stripes of white and orange brown, the latter being edged behind with black. Anterior wings, with two bars crossing from the anterior to the posterior edges, one at about three-fourths of an inch from the shoulders, whitish, edged on the outside with black; the other is orange, at about an inch distance from the external margin. The base of the wing is a fine orange brown. The middle is deep rusty brown, which, towards the upper part, is powdered with buff-coloured hairs. In the middle of this is a large white spot verged with black, somewhat resembling a kidney bean, and is broadly tinged behind with red brown. The extremity of this wing, next the bar, is the same dark brown, and powdered, having a black spot about half an inch from the tip, having within it a semicircular mark of a pearl colour. From this spot to the anterior edge runs a serpentine line of white, bordered on the outer side with red. Between this and the orange bar is a broad tinge of light purple. The other side, next the tip, is light brown, stained with blood colour. From the black spot to the interior angle runs a black serpentine line, inclosing a space of dark buff, between which and the dark buff margin is a light buff irregular streak. Posterior wings similar to the superior, but the orange bar is redder and broader, running parallel with the external edge, and is bordered on the inner side with white; the part of the wing within this is deep rusty brown, with a larger white spot in the middle, verged with black, and tinged behind with red brown. The colour below the red bar is deep rusty brown, the border along the external edge being of a dark dirty buff, whereon are two small dark lines, having an irregular indented line of the same dirty buff above them. The wings are entire.

Under Side. The markings on all the wings are more distinct, and brighter than on the upper. The posterior wings, and the major part of the anterior, being covered with dust-like buff hairs, except the spots and buff margins round the edges. The posterior wings along the anterior edges being verged with white, which becomes broader as it approaches the shoulders.

The caterpillar of this fine moth feeds upon the wild American plum (Prunus Pensylvanica), garden plum, &c. It is thick and fleshy, of a pale green colour, with a pair of small blue spots on each segment, and with two rows of short and setose yellow dorsal tubercles. One observed by Abbot, spun up on the 17th of June, and the moth came out on the 30th of March following. The cocoon is attached to a twig. The outside web is coarse, and the inner covered with silk, like a silk-worm's cocoon. Abbot states that this silk has been carded, spun, and made into stockings, and that it will wash like linen. The species is, however, too rare to be of any utility in Georgia. It is, however, much more abundant in the neighbourhood of New York, and has been bred in England from some brought over in the chrysalis state. It is difficult to rear it in confinement.

SPILOSOMA ARGE.

Plate [XVIII]. fig. 3.

Order: Lepidoptera. Section: Nocturna. Family: Arctiidæ, Steph.

Genus. Spilosoma, Steph. Arctia, Latr. Eyprepia, p. Ochs. Phalæna (Noctua), Drury.

Spilosoma Arge. Alis albidis, nigro-maculatis et lineatis, posticis incarnatis lineâ marginali fulvâ; abdomine concolori maculis nigris. (Expans. Alar. 1 unc. 9 lin.)

Syn. Phalæna (Noctua) Arge, Drury, App. v. 2. Oliv. Enc. Méth. 5. 92. 232.

Bombyx Dione, Fabr. Ent. Syst. III. 1. p. 442. No. 106. Abbot and Smith, Ins. Georg. t. 63.

Habitat: New York; taken on the 20th day of May.

Upper Side. Antennæ filiform, and cream-coloured at the base, but black at their extremities. The tongue is small, and curled up. The neck red, having two small black streaks above it. The thorax and abdomen cream-coloured. On the former are three black streaks. On each annulus of the abdomen is a black spot, and another on each side. Anterior wings cream-coloured, with many black spots and marks thereon, of different forms and sizes, and varying very greatly in different specimens. The anterior margin red. Posterior wings almost transparent, dirty cream-coloured, tinged with red, whereon are many oblong sooty spots. Ciliæ cream-coloured, within which is a narrow red line.

Under Side. The colours are more faint and dirty than those on the upper. Anterior femora red, with two black spots thereon, close to the head. Tarsi black and cream-coloured.

The caterpillar of this insect is brown, with five pale longitudinal lines, and with long hairs arising from fulvous tubercles. It feeds, according to Abbot, upon plantain, corn, peas, and many other plants. A specimen observed by this author was hatched on the 23d of July, spun up on the 28th of August, and the moth appeared on the 9th of September. It is said occasionally to make great devastation among Indian corn. Sir J. E. Smith ascertained the specific identity of this insect from Dr. Hunter's Museum, examined by Fabricius, who has neglected to cite Drury's figure.

SPILOSOMA CUNEA.

Plate [XVIII]. fig. 4.

Order: Lepidoptera. Section: Nocturna. Family: Arctiidæ.

Genus. Spilosoma, Steph. Arctia, Latr. Eyprepia, Ochs. Phalæna (Noctua),Drury.

Spilosoma Cunea. Alis albis, anticis maculis permultis, posticis duabus nigris, abdomine concolori nigro-maculato. (Expans. Alar. 1 unc. 5 lin.)

Syn. Phalæna (Bombyx) Cunea, Drury, App. v. 2.

Phalæna punctatissima, Abbot and Smith, Ins. Georg. t. 70?

Habitat: New York (Drury). Georgia and Virginia (Abbot and Smith).

Upper Side. Antennæ pectinated and black. There is no appearance of any tongue. Head white. Back and abdomen ash colour. Anterior wings white, with a great number of spots differently shaped of a sooty black colour. On the external margin are five spots, those nearest the tips being shaped like triangles. Posterior wings white, with a sooty spot on each near the external edge, and a very faint small mark near the exterior angle.

Under Side. Legs black. Breast and abdomen ash colour. The wings marked as on the upper side.

There seems little reason for doubting that this is identical with the Phalæna punctatissima of Abbot and Smith, of which the female is entirely white. The last named species feeds upon the mulberry, persimmon, willow, and wild cherry of America. One observed by Abbot spun up on the 16th of May, and came out on the 1st of June. The whole brood of caterpillars feed together in a web, and will often entirely destroy the leaves of a small tree. The name proposed by Drury evidently alludes to the triangular spots on the margin of the anterior wings, and seems quite as expressive as that employed by Sir J. E. Smith, who seems to have treated Drury's work on several occasions as scarcely deserving of notice.

NOCTUA (ACONTIA?) NUNDINA.

Plate [XVIII]. fig. 5.

Order: Lepidoptera. Section: Nocturna. Family: Noctuidæ, Steph.

Genus. Noctua, Auct. (Subgenus, Acontia? Ochsenh. Treit.) Phalæna (Noctua), Drury.

Noctua (Acontia?) Nundina. Alis anticis pallide cinereis albido variegatis, literâ nigrâ ante apicem notatis. (Expans. Alar. 1 unc. 3 lin.)

Syn. Phalæna (Noctua) Nundina, Drury, App. v. 2.

Habitat: New York.

Upper Side. Antennæ thread-like, of a reddish brown. The tongue curled spirally. Head and thorax ash colour. Anterior wings the same, whereon are several faint marks of a light sand colour. Close to the anterior margin, about a third from the tips, is a black mark, resembling an

of the German text characters. Posterior wings silvery white, with a small, faint, light, sandy border, and a small oblong brown discoidal spot.

Under Side. Anterior wings silvery white, with a faint indistinct dark brown border running along the external margin, and two dark marks opposite the German text character. Posterior wings silvery white; the oblong brown spots are here plainly seen as on the upper side.

PLATE XIX.

PAPILIO PALAMEDES.

Plate [XIX]. fig. 1. 2.

Order: Lepidoptera. Section: Diurna. Family: Papilionidæ, Leach.

Genus. Papilio, Auct.

Papilio Palamedes. Alis dentatis nigris, fasciâ maculari maculisque marginalibus flavis; posticis caudatis, his subtùs ad basin vittâ albâ transversâ rectâ lunulisque rufis. (Expans. Alar. 5 unc.)

Syn. Papilio (Eq. Achiv.) Palamedes, Drury, App. v. 2. (1773). Cramer, pl. 93. fig. A. B.

Pap. (Eq. Ach.) Calchas, Fabr. Syst. Ent. p. 453. No. 44. (1775). Ent. Syst. 3. 1. p. 30. No. 90. Herbst. Pap. tab. 42. Boisduval, Hist. Nat. Lep. 1. 337. No. 178. Bdv. et Leconte, Icon. Lep. Amer. Sept. pl. 5.

Habitat: Carolina (Drury). Georgia, Virginia (Bdv.).

Upper Side. Head, back, and abdomen dark brown; the latter striped on the sides with yellow. Two yellow lines, beginning at the palpi, encircle the eyes, and, running along the shoulders, end at the base of the inferior wings. Anterior wings brownish black; the external margin with small yellow crescents, above which are nine yellow round spots. Above this is another irregular row of yellow angular spots. Posterior wings brownish black, each with a tail. Above it are six yellow spots, reaching from the anal to the upper corner, with five small blue spots above them, above which a yellow irregular bar runs across the middle of the wing, having a black spot, whose upper edge is verged with blue, placed at the anal angle, with a small tinge of orange above and below it.

Under Side. Breast and thighs yellow. Abdomen striped with yellow and dark brown. Anterior wings brownish black, with the same yellow spots and marks as on the upper side. Posterior wings brownish black, with six yellow spots near the external edge, having a mark of orange in the middle of each, above which is a row of orange crescents joined together, whose upper edges are silver, and below each of them is a black circular spot, whose inner part is a fine shining blue, from whence appears a great number of powder-like gray spots. The anterior edge next the shoulders, has a small orange streak, near which an orange-coloured line begins, running parallel with the abdomen.

The caterpillar is described by Boisduval as living upon several species of Laurus, and of a green colour, with pale blue spots, and scarlet belly and legs, with a scarlet eye-shaped spot on each side of the third segment. The chrysalis is gibbous, ferruginous on the back, with the belly rose-coloured, and four rows of pale blue dots. I have reverted to Drury's specific name, which has certainly the priority, as appears from the dates which I have introduced amongst the synonyms. Dr. Boisduval has given another species of this genus under the name of Palamedes, described by Fabricius under that name, but considered by him to be a Nymphalis. This latter species must consequently receive a new denomination.

MELITÆA PELOPS.

Plate [XIX]. fig. 3. 4.

Order: Lepidoptera. Section: Diurna. Family: Nymphalidæ, Swains.

Genus. Melitæa, Fabr. Argynnis, Latr. God. Papilio (Pleb. rur.), Drury.

Melitæa Pelops. Alis subrotundatis, integerrimis, suprà fulvis nigro reticulatis; posticis subtùs carneis fusco undatis. (Expans. Alar. 1 unc.)

Syn. Papilio (Pleb. rur.) Pelops, Drury, App. v. 2.

Argynnis Pelopsa, Latr. et God. Enc. Méth. ix. p. 290. No. 62.

Habitat: St. Christopher's (Drury).

Upper Side. Thorax and abdomen brown, the latter spotted with faint brown orange. Wings black, with several rows of large brown orange spots, crossing the wings, of different shapes and sizes.

Under Side. Anterior wings orange brown, spotted with black, having the appearance of indented lines running across them. Posterior wings dark flesh-coloured, marked and spotted with brown, and having five minute silver spots at equal distances, parallel with the external edge. The wings are entire.

HESPERIA ARCAS.

Plate [XIX]. fig. 5. 6.

Order: Lepidoptera. Section: Diurna. Family: Hesperiidæ, Steph.

Genus. Hesperia, Latr. Godart. Battus, p. Scop. Papilio (Pl. ruric), Linn.

Hesperia Arcas. Alis nigricantibus immaculatis, margine integro, anticis subtùs margine interno dilutiore maculâ parvâ unicâ albâ. (Expans. Alar. 1 unc. 9 lin.)

Syn. Papilio (Pleb. ruric.) Arcas, Drury. App. v. 2.

Papilio (Pl. urb.) Philemon, Fabr. Syst. Ent. p. 534. No. 392. Ent. Syst. III. 1. p. 346. No. 314.

Hesperia Ph. Latr. God. Enc. Méth. ix. p. 788.

Papilio Flyas, Cram. pl. 328. E.

Habitat: St. Christopher's.

Upper Side. Thorax and abdomen black. Wings very dark brownish black, immaculate. Margins entire.

Under Side. Legs, breast, and abdomen dark brown, but rather lighter than on the upper side, immaculate, except a small white spot on the anterior, placed near the anterior edge towards the tip.

PLATE XX.

EREBUS CREPUSCULARIS?

Plate [XX]. fig. 1. 2.

Order: Lepidoptera. Section: Nocturna, Family: Noctuidæ, Steph.

Genus. Erebus, Latrielle. Thysania, Dalman. Noctua, Fabr. Phalæna (Attacus), Linn.

Erebus Crepuscularis? Alis griseis, fasciâ maculisque albis, anticis ocello fusco, posticis fasciis duabus dentatis fuscis fulvo marginatis. (Expans. Alar. 4 unc. 3 lin.)

Syn. Phalæna (Attacus) Crepuscularis? Linn. S. N. 2. 811. No. 13. Drury, App. v. 2. Oliv. Enc. Méth. 8. 255. 19.

Habitat: China (Drury). America (Linn.).

Upper Side. Antennæ setaceous. Palpi standing erect above the head. Tongue spiral. Neck with a narrow ring of white. Thorax dark brown. Abdomen dirty buff colour. Anterior wings dark nut brown at the base; paler at the external margin. On the anterior margin, next the tip, is a white subtriangular spot; and from the middle arises a white bar, which runs obliquely to the middle of the wing, but suddenly turns and runs to the base of the posterior margin; from the inner angle of this bar, near the middle of the wing, a black line runs towards the front of the wing, forming a large eye. Within the external margin are many dark and white marks. All the wings are scolloped. Posterior wings, next the shoulders, are of a dirty buff colour; remainder nut brown, separated by a narrow line of darker brown, beneath which runs a small narrow line of buff, and a quarter of an inch below this is another line, crossing the wing. From thence, to the external edge, are several darker coloured clouds, and white marks of different shapes and forms; particularly a white angular spot on the anterior edge, near the corner.

Under Side. All the wings of a pale clay colour, inclining to buff. On the anterior, the two white spots at the tips, visible on the upper side, appear here also; and several smaller ones on other parts of the wings. The white bar being less distinct than the other white marks; but on the posterior wings the white angular spot, near the upper corner, is very plain and strong.

The diversity of the habitats, given by Drury and Linnæus, render it doubtful whether that figured by the former be identical with that described by the latter.

NOCTUA LUNATA.

Plate [XX]. fig. 3.

Order: Lepidoptera. Section: Nocturna. Family: Noctuidæ.

Genus. Noctua, Auct. Subgenus.—?

Noctua Lunata. Alis fuscis, strigis multis transversis; anticis maculâ centrali, alterâ angulatâ apicali, fasciâque obliquâ posticâ nigris. (Expans. Alar. 2 unc. 3 lin.)

Syn. Phalæna (Noctua) Lunata, Drury, App. v. 3.

Habitat: Carolina, Virginia.

Upper Side. The antennæ light brown and setaceous. The tongue spiral. Palpi not very hairy. The head, thorax, abdomen, and wings hazel-coloured. Anterior wings with a waved line, of a dark brown colour, placed near the anterior angle, beginning at the posterior and ending at the external edge. At the shoulders, and along the anterior margin, are several small dark brown clouds and marks, that produce a darker shade. Posterior wings with a series of narrow transverse waved lines, extending from the middle to the external edges. All the wings are dentated.

Under Side. The breast, abdomen, and wings are all of a paler hazel colour. Anterior wings dappled with dark brown on the middle of the anterior edge, and spotted with minute short brown streaks, as well as the posterior.

GEOMETRA (ANGERONA) SERRATA.

Plate [XX]. fig. 4.

Order: Lepidoptera. Section: Nocturna. Family: Geometridæ, Steph.

Genus. Geometra. Subg. Angerona, Duponch, Steph. Hipparchus p. Leach. Curt.

Geom. (Angerona) Serrata. Alis luteo-fulvis dentatis, fasciâ latâ apicali maculâ basali anticarum fasciâque basali posticarum ferrugineis. (Expans. Alar. 2 unc. 3 lin)

Syn. Phal. (Noctua) Serrata, Drury, App. v. 2.

Habitat: New York; taken on the 26th of June.

Upper Side. Antennæ and head of a reddish buff colour, the former setaceous. Tongue very small and spiral. Thorax and abdomen yellow buff colour; as are all the wings in general. The anterior having a bar of brown red colour, which begins at the tips, and runs across the wings, almost to the middle of the posterior edge; occupying all that space along the external margin. At the base is a small cloud of the same colour, but much fainter. Posterior wings with a broad marginal bar of the same brown red. A small faint line likewise crosses these wings. The buff ground is sprinkled all over with faint, irregular, dark brown spots, that in some specimens are scarcely visible. All the wings are dentated; the lower ones most deeply.

Under Side. Wings yellow buff, with brown red markings, as on the upper side, but less distinct. The irroration stronger and plainer, being also sprinkled over the brown bars.

PLATE XXI.

ARGYNNIS PHALANTA.

Plate [XXI]. fig. 1. 2.

Order: Lepidoptera. Section: Diurna. Family: Nymphalidæ, Swains.

Genus. Argynnis, Fabr. Latr. et Godart. Argyreus, Scop. Dryades, Hubn.

Argynnis Phalanta. Alis subdentatis, fulvis nigro maculatis, posticis subtus ad extimum argenteo-purpurascentibus, ocellis aliquot fulvis. (Expans. Alar. 3 unc.)

Syn. Papilio (Nymph. Phal.) Phalanta, Drury, App. v. 2. Fabr. Ent. Syst. III. 1. p. 149. Latr. et God. Enc. Méth. ix. p. 259. Papilio Culumbina, Cram. pl. 337. D. E. (♂) pl. 238. A. B. (♀).

Habitat: China (Drury). East Indies (Fabricius, &c.). Isle Mauritius (I. O. W.).

Upper Side. Thorax and abdomen of a dirty clay colour. Anterior wings of a fine deep clay colour, the tips being of a dirty black; which colour is continued, by irregular and indented marks, along the external edges, almost to the interior angle, where are several clay-coloured spots and marks. Above these are four round spots, running obliquely toward the shoulders. Several other black marks are dispersed on different parts of the wings, particularly near the anterior edges. Posterior wings deep clay-coloured, with two black waved or indented lines, running along the external margin. Over these are four small, round, black spots, placed two and two. Above these, nearer the shoulders, are several small, black, oblong spots, placed irregularly. The wings, particularly the posterior pair, are a little dentated.

Under Side. Anterior wings, at the base and along the posterior edges, clay-coloured. Near the interior angle of each wing is a round black spot; several others which are very small, oblong, and fainter, being scattered about on different parts. Posterior wings, at the base, fainter clay-coloured. About half the wings, from the external edges, are of a blueish clay colour, which is separated from the other part by a faint waved line of a reddish hue. Two other faint waved lines also run along the external edges, answering to the black ones on the upper side; and the four black spots seen there are very small on this side, being but just perceptible.

MELITÆA PHAETON.

Plate [XXI]. fig. 3. 4.

Order: Lepidoptera. Section: Diurna. Family: Nymphalidæ, Sw.

Genus. Melitæa, Fabr. Argynnis, Latr. et God. Papilio (Dan. Festiv.), Drury.

Melitæa Phaeton. Alis subrotundatis integerrimis, nigris, singularum extimo suprà, paginâ omni subtùs fulvo flavoque maculatis. (Expans. Alar. 3 unc. 9 lin. fere.)

Syn. Papilio (Dan. Festiv.) Phaeton, Drury, App. v. 2. Fabr. Ent. Syst. III. 1. p. 46. No. 140. Cramer, pl. 193. f. C. D. Argynnis Phaetontea, Latr. et God. Enc. Méth. ix. p. 288. Boisduv. Hist. nat. Lep. pl. 7. B. f. 3.

Habitat: New York; taken in June and September, whence there are probably two broods in the year.

Upper Side. Body and wings black. The anterior pair of the latter with nine red spots placed near the external edges; above which are two rows of spots, of a lemon colour, with some other small ones placed near the upper edges. Posterior wings with eight red triangular spots, placed close to the external edges. Above these is a row of lemon-coloured crescents; and above that is another row of lemon-coloured round spots. The wings are entire.

Under Side. Anterior wings black, with a red indented margin; within the external edge is a row of lemon-coloured crescents. Near the costa, about the middle of each wing, are two larger red spots, and a smaller one at the corner, next the shoulders. The remainder of the wings is sprinkled with lemon-coloured spots, of different shapes and sizes, in all about twenty-six on each. Posterior wings black, having their external edges margined with triangular red spots; above which is a row of lemon-coloured crescents; and over these is a row of round lemon-coloured spots. The remaining part of the wings is covered with lemon-coloured and red spots; the former very small, and the latter rather large, and angularly shaped.

MELITÆA THAROS.

Plate [XXI]. fig. 5. 6.

Order: Lepidoptera. Section: Diurna. Family: Nymphalidæ, Sw.

Genus. Melitæa, Fabr. Argynnis, Latr. et God. Papilio (Dan. Festiv.) Drury.

Melitæa Tharos. Alis subrotundatis integerrimis, supra fulvis, lineis plurimis transversis limboque communi nigris, posticis utrinque ad extimum strigâ punctorum nigrorum. (Expans. Alar. 1 unc. 6 lin. fere.)

Syn. Papilio (Dan. Festiv.) Tharos, Drury, App. v. 2. Cramer, pl. 169. fig. E. F.

Argynnis Tharossa, Latr. et God. Encycl. Méth. ix. p. 289. No. 61.

Habitat: New York.

Upper Side. Head, body, and abdomen dark brown. Anterior wings varied with dark brown and orange; in some the dark brown occupying the greater part of the wings, in others the orange colour is predominant; but the tips and external edges in all are dark brown; in some two ocelli are seen close to the anterior edge, and near the lower corner; but in others these ocelli are not to be discovered. Posterior wings dark brown and orange. Round the edge is a waved dark border, through which a small waved white line, runs from the anal angle about half way; above this are placed, in a row, five round ocelli, and one oblong, next the anal angle; the pupils being black, and the irides orange colour. Above these is a broad orange-coloured band, and next the body the wings are dark brown. All the wings are entire.

Under Side. Anterior wings, at the base, deep clay-coloured, with some dark brown clouds on the anterior edges and interior angles; but in some these clouds are hardly perceptible. In some a small scolloped line runs along the external edges, from the tips to the lower corners, of a reddish hue; in others this is not to be seen, having a dark brown border in that part. Posterior wings very pale clay-coloured, with a cloud on the middle of the external edges, of a reddish brown; where (in some) is a silver spot like a half moon. The black pupils of the six ocelli, seen on the upper side, are, in some specimens, very small here, and just perceptible; in others they are not to be seen. "In short, nature forms such a variety of this species, that it is difficult to set bounds, or to know all that belongs to it."—Drury.

PLATE XXII.

PAPILIO THOAS.

Plate [XXII]. fig. 1. 2.

Order: Lepidoptera. Section: Diurna. Family: Papilionidæ, Leach.

Genus: Papilio, Auct.

Papilio Thoas. Alis suprà nigris, fasciâ communi lunulisque submarginalibus flavis, posticis caudatis, his subtus maculâ discoidali ferrugineâ lunulisque cœruleis. (Expans. Alar. 4 unc. 9 lin.)

Syn. Papilio (Equ. Ach.) Thoas, Linn. Mant. p. 536. Fabr. Ent. Syst. III. 1. p. 32. No. 94. Cramer, pl. 167. fig. A. B. Latr. et God. Enc. Méth. ix. p. 62. 103. Boisduval et Leconte Icon. Lep. Amer. Sept. pl. 12. et 13. Boisd. H. n. Lep. 1. p. 355.

Var. Pap. Cresphontes, Cramer, 165, 166, A.

Habitat: Surinam (Drury). Paraguay to Georgia (Boisd.).

Upper Side. Thorax black. Two small yellow streaks extend from the eyes to the shoulders. Abdomen yellow, with a black dorsal line; apex red brown. Wings black, with deep yellow spots on them. A yellow bar, near half an inch broad, begins at the middle of the superior wings, and running parallel with the anterior edges, crosses the inferior ones just below the shoulders. Several oval and oblong yellow spots are placed between the tips and this bar. One also is situated close above it, near the middle of the wing; being separated from it by the tendon, which is black. Below the bar are four small spots, beginning at the interior angle (the first being double). Posterior wings furnished with two black tails, having a long yellow stripe in the middle. About a quarter of an inch above the external edge is a row of six yellow spots, whereof one is obscured by the anterior wing; there being but five shewn in the plate.

Under Side. The breast is ash colour. Anterior wings partly soot colour, but principally yellow. A row of eight yellow spots is situated within the external margin, and the yellow bar, observable on the upper side, is not to be distinguished on this. Several small yellow lines rise at the shoulders, and expanding like the sticks of a fan, occupy almost the chief membrane of the wing. Between these, and the row of eight spots, are two large yellow patches, which nearly take up that middle space, with black tendons crossing them like fine threads. Posterior wings, next the shoulders, yellow, continuing to about the middle of the wings. External margin soot-coloured; having a broad bar of yellow above it, whose upper side resembles a row of arches. Above this is an irregular black bar, running from the anterior edges, across the wings, with two small scarlet streaks at the anal angles. On this bar is a row of blue crescents, answering to and placed just above the arch-like bar before-mentioned; and in the centre is a faint mark of scarlet.

The caterpillar of this butterfly feeds upon the orange-trees, from Paraguay to Georgia. Its back is covered with large irregular white spots, with brown marks, which extend along the middle and posterior parts of the body. The chrysalis is of a bright brown, with several black dots.

PAPILIO SINON.

Plate [XXII]. fig. 3. 4.

Order: Lepidoptera. Section: Diurna. Family: Papilionidæ, Leach.

Genus. Papilio, Auct.

Papilio Sinon. Alis nigris, fasciis communibus virescenti-albis, posticis lunulis sex submarginalibus virescenti-albis anguloque ani rubro. (Expans. Alar. 3 unc. fere.)

Syn. Papilio Sinon, Fabr. Syst. Ent. p. 452. Ent. Syst. III. 1. p. 26. 75. Cramer, tab. 317. fig. C. D. E. F. Ency. Méth. ix. p. 53. Boisduv. Hist. Nat. Lep. 1. p. 260.

Papilio (Eq. Achiv.) Protesilaus, Drury, App. vol. 2.

Habitat: Jamaica (Drury). Florida, Cuba (Boisduv.). North America (Enc. Méth.).

Upper Side. The thorax black; the hair thereof greenish. Abdomen black. All the wings black; posterior ones being furnished with two tails, edged with white. Close to the shoulders, in the anterior wings, rises a stripe of sea-green, which crosses the inferior ones; and, running parallel with the abdominal margin, ends near the extremity of the body. A little below this is a small scarlet spot, placed near the anal angle; with two smaller spots, of a green colour, below it. At a little distance from the shoulders, a second green stripe, rather broader than the first, begins at the posterior edge of the anterior wings, and crosses the inferior ones, parallel with the first, being continued a little lower. On the anterior wings, about the middle of the anterior edge, rises a bar, of a fine sea-green colour, which crossing both wings, terminates at the middle of the posterior, being narrowest at each end. A row of eight white spots runs parallel with the external edge, ending at the lower corner. Near the external edges of the posterior wings is placed a row of five crescents, of a green colour.

Under Side. Breast and abdomen grey-coloured. Anterior wings light chesnut, having a darker cloud near the anterior angle. All the green spots and marks, seen on the upper side, are also visible here. The ground of the posterior wings is rather paler than the anterior; and the green marks and stripes are rather larger here, than on the upper side. The scarlet spot, on the abdominal edge, is considerably larger on this side. A scarlet stripe also begins on the anterior edge, and fills completely the space between the broad green bar and the second stripe, mentioned above, extending as low as the extremity of the body. The two scollops, next the abdominal corner, are black; whereon appear a few blue powder-like specks.

M. Boisduval states that Drury's figure is "peu exacte." It is true, indeed, that the figure does not agree with the description given by that author, who describes the fourth pale fascia as "bifide dans la cellule discoidale des premières ailes." The exact uniformity in the shape of this fascia, in both of Drury's figures, renders its correctness evident, and consequently the insect figured by Drury must be regarded as a variety of the species described by Boisduval.

PLATE XXIII.

NOCTUA MELICERTA.

Plate [XXIII]. fig. 1.

Order: Lepidoptera. Section: Nocturna. Family: Noctuidæ.

Genus. Noctua, Auct.

Noctua Melicerta. Alis anticis variegatis, posticis nigris, fasciâ maculisque tribus marginalibus albis. (Expans. Alar. 2 unc. 6 lin.)

Syn. Phalæna (Noctua) Melicerta, Drury, Append. v. 2. Cramer, tab. 62. fig. C. D.?

Noctua mercatoria, Fab. Ent. Syst. III. 2. p. 62. No. 175.? Gmelin, Linn., S. N. 2544. 1039.

Noctua tigrina, Fabr. Ent. Syst. III. 2. p. 40. No. 105. Oliv. Enc. Méth. 8. 277. 131.

Noctua vulpina, Fabr. Ent. Syst. III. 2. p. 39. No. 102.

Phalæna Melicene, Cram. tab. 323. fig. C. D.

Habitat: India, Bombay (Drury).

Upper Side. Antennæ filiform. Tongue small and spiral. Thorax and abdomen light brown. Anterior wings light greyish brown, and, when held in some particular directions, having a hue like mother-of-pearl. Several irregular bars, of a deeper brown, cross the wings, and the external margin is bordered with pale purple or pearl colour. Posterior wings dark liver-coloured, grey-brown at the base, and hairy. In the middle is a broad bar, of purplish white, running across the wing. On the external edge are three white square spots. The anterior wings are a little dentated; the inferior ones entire.

Under Side. Palpi remarkably long and pointed. Anterior wings dark brown; the external edge being purplish grey, with a whitish separated bar, running from the middle of the anterior edge to the interior angle. Posterior wings light greyish brown, palest at the base, and grey at the external edge, having a dark spot at the anal angle, and a smaller faint one near the shoulders; with several indented lines crossing the wings in different places.

Fabricius appears to have described this insect in his Entomologia Systematica, under three different names. It probably forms the type of a distinct subgenus in the family Noctuidæ.

CATOCALA EPIONE.

Plate [XXIII]. fig. 2.

Order: Lepidoptera. Section: Nocturna. Family: Noctuidæ, Steph.

Genus. Catocala, Schrank. Blephara, Hübn. Phalæna (Noctua), Linn.

Catocala Epione. Alis anticis fuscis, strigis transversis dentatis ferrugineis et atris, posticis nigris, ciliâ albâ. (Expans. Alar. 2 unc. 6 lin.)

Syn. Phalæna (Noctua) Epione, Drury, App. vol. 2. Oliv. Encycl. Méthod. 8. 288. No. 190.

Habitat: New York (Drury). Philadelphia (I. O. W.).

Upper Side. Thorax and abdomen of a sooty ash colour. Anterior wings dark chocolate, with an undulated ferruginous line, running from the anterior edge to the posterior, and near the middle of the wings; with several other lighter not very distinct marks thereon. Posterior wings black; cilia white.

Under Side. Anterior wings, at the base, dark ash colour, which as it extends further on the wings, becomes black; and next the tips is soot-coloured. Seven white spots run along the external margin. Above them is a white line, running from the anterior edge, narrowing as it goes, and ending near the posterior; between which and the shoulders is a rather large oblong white spot. Posterior wings, next the shoulders and abdominal edges, very dark ash colour, which deepens along the wings to black; cilia white. A faint white streak runs also a little way down the wing from the anterior margin. All the wings are a little dentated.

NOCTUA PALES.

Plate [XXIII]. fig. 3.

Order: Lepidoptera. Section: Nocturna. Family: Noctuidæ.

Genus. Noctua, Auct.

Noctua Pales. Alis luteis, anticis strigâ transversâ punctoque apicali fuscis. (Expans. Alar. 1 unc. 9 lin.)

Syn. Phalæna (Noctua) Pales, Drury, App. vol. 2.

Habitat: St. Christopher's.

Upper Side. Antennæ filiform. Tongue spiral. Head small. Thorax, abdomen, and wings light orange clay-coloured, without any markings, except on the anterior wings, where a faintish bar crosses the middle; and, near the tips of the wings, is a small dark spot. The wings are entire.

Under Side. The same colour as the upper, immaculate.

CALLIMORPHA? VINOSA.

Plate [XXIII]. fig. 4.

Order: Lepidoptera. Section: Nocturna. Family: Arctiidæ.

Genus. Callimorpha? Latr. Sphinx p. Drury.

Callimorpha? Vinosa. Alis nigris subdiaphanis, anticarum marginibus anticis et posticis rufo fulvis maculâ magnâ externâ (in medio albâ margine nigro); posticis fasciâ submarginali rufo-fulvâ. (Expans. Alar. 2 unc. fere.)

Syn. Sphinx Vinosa, Drury, App. vol. 2.

Habitat: Antigua.

Upper Side. The antennæ are black, small, and pectinated. The tongue not discoverable. Thorax and base of abdomen yellow orange; the remainder of the abdomen rusty grey, with a black stripe down the top of it. Anterior wings black and transparent, like gauze; the anterior and posterior margins bordered with orange. The tips of the wings are likewise broadly orange, through the middle of which runs a broad bar of white, from the anterior to the middle of the external edge, where it is narrowest, being edged with black. Posterior wings black, and like gauze; the external edge having a narrow orange stripe running from the anal margin, half way to the exterior angle. The wings are entire.

Under Side. The abdomen is grey, with a black line running from the thorax to the tail. Anterior wings not edged with orange; the tips are black, where the white bar is plainly seen, having an orange spot on the edge, near the external and lower corners. Posterior wings as on the upper side.

This insect seems to form the type of a distinct subgenus between Nudaria and Callimorpha.

NOCTUA NUMERIA.

Plate [XXIII]. fig. 5.

Order: Lepidoptera. Section: Diurna. Family: Noctuidæ.

Genus. Noctua, Auct.

Noctua Numeria. Alis fuscis, anticis vittâ longitudinali albâ, anticè strigis undulatis transversis; posticis maculâ externâ albâ. (Expans. Alar. 2 unc. 3 lin.)

Syn. Phalæna (Noctua) Numeria, Drury, App. vol. 2.

Habitat: Jamaica.

Upper Side. Antennæ filiform. Tongue spiral. Head, thorax, and abdomen fine brown. Anterior wings fine brown, through the middle of which runs a small longitudinal bar of white or pearl, beginning just below the shoulders, and losing itself just below the tips. Above this bar the wings are watered with various marks of dark and light brown. Behind it they are of a darker shade, except a spot near the middle of a yellowish brown. Posterior wings dark brown, with two white marks on the edges, about a third of an inch long; beginning on the anterior edge, and crossing the corner to the external edge.

Under Side. Breast, legs, abdomen, and wings greyish brown or russet, with some faint, dark indented lines running across all the wings in different parts. The white marks on the edges of the posterior wings are very visible on this side. The wings are entire.

CATOCALA AFFINIS.

Plate [XXIII]. fig. 6.

Order: Lepidoptera. Section: Nocturna. Family: Noctuidæ.

Genus. Catocala, Schr. Blephara, Hübn. Phalæna (Noctua), Linn.

Catocala Affinis. Alis anticis fuscis maculis ordinariis discoidalibus strigisque dentatis obscurioribus; posticis fulvis fasciâ centrali margineque postico latè nigris. (Expans. Alar. 2 unc.)

Syn. Phalæna (Noctua) Paranympha, Drury, App. vol. 2. (excl. syn. Linnæan.)

Habitat: New York; taken on the 27th day of July.

Upper Side. The thorax and anterior wings dark chocolate, with a small, narrow, irregular black line crossing the wings, near the external edge; having near it, just above the fringe, a row of seven small grey spots. Posterior wings pale orange; having a deep black border. A rather broad black line runs in a circular direction from the anterior edge, through the middle of the wings, to the lower part of the interior margin. At the outer angle is a small spot of a pale orange.

Under Side. Anterior wings at the base of a dark clay colour, with a large yellowish cloud occupying all the middle part; in which is a large black streak running across the wing. Posterior wings marked as on the upper side, but all the colours fainter.

PLATE XXIV.

ACTIAS LUNA.

Plate [XXIV]. fig. 1.

Order: Lepidoptera. Section: Nocturna. Family: Bombycidæ.

Genus. Actias, Leach. Saturnia, Schrank. Attacus, Germar. Phalæna (Attacus), Linn.

Actias Luna. Alis caudatis flavo-virentibus concoloribus, ocello disci lunato, margine antico anticarum purpureo. (Expans. Alar. 5 unc. 6 lin.)

Syn. Phalæna (Attacus) Luna, Linn. Syst. Nat. 2. 810. No. 5. Catesby Carolina, 2nd vol. p. 85. Fabr. Ent. Syst. III. 1. p. 414. No. 22. Gmel. Linn. S. N. 2404. 5. Abbot & Smith Ins. Georgia, pl. 48. Oliv. Enc. Méth. 5. 29. 20. Pal. Beauv. Ins. Afr. & Am. Lep. pl. 22. f. 3. Leach Zool. Misc. v. 2. (Actias L.)

Habitat: New York, Carolina, Virginia, Maryland.

Upper Side. Antennæ brown, and strongly pectinated. The head white, small, and almost hid under the shoulders and neck, having a small brown ring encircling it. Thorax pale yellow, having a chocolate or dark brown line crossing it, parallel with the margins of the anterior wings. All the wings are of a beautiful pea-green colour; the nerves being of a pale red brown. Along the anterior margin of the anterior wings runs a chocolate line, which is narrowed towards the tips. About an inch from the shoulders springs from this line a small curved one, which, bending towards the middle of the wing, terminates in a small eye, pointed in the lower part, whose pupil is transparent like glass; the iris being partly red and partly black, within which are semicircles of white; external margin of the wings, red brown; the posterior being white. Posterior wings furnished with two broad tails, which, at their extremities, appear as if they were crimped; their external edges being red brown. In the middle of each of these wings is likewise an eye, similar to, but rather larger than those in the anterior ones. Abdomen white.

Under Side. Abdomen white, the sides being of a dark clay colour. All the wings are of the same colour as on the upper side; the nerves being browner and more conspicuous, without the brown edge on the anterior pair; the eyes themselves are the same as on that side. The anterior margin of the inferior wings is white, and the eyes strongly resemble those of an animal having them half shut.

Drury's correspondent informed him that the caterpillar of this handsome moth is red, and feeds on the leaves of the sassafras tree. When they are full-fed they inclose themselves in a strong case composed of the substance of the tree, and a glutinous matter which they secrete. They appear in June and August. The caterpillar, however, figured by Abbot is green, with short hairs scattered over the body, and with about eight small red spots on each segment, placed transversely. This author also states that it feeds upon the sweet gum (Liquidambar styraciflua, Linn.), different kinds of walnut, and the Persimon (Diospyros Virginiana). One of them spun up on the 31st of May, and came out on the 8th of June; another on the 23rd of June, and came out on the 10th of July; and a third, which did not spin up until the 6th of September, remained in the chrysalis till the 3rd of March. It continues breeding throughout the summer, but is not very plentiful.

DEIOPEIA ORNATRIX.

Plate [XXIV]. fig. 2.

Order: Lepidoptera. Section: Nocturna. Family: Lithosiidæ.

Genus. Deiopeia, Stephens. Euchelia, Boisduval. Eyprepia p. Ochs.

Deiopeia Ornatrix. Alis convolutis albidis, anticarum margine rubro atropunctato, posticis albo nigroque variis. (Expans. Alar. 1 unc. 9 lin.)

Syn. Phalæna (Noctua) ornatrix, Linn. S. N. 2. 839. No. 110.

Bombyx ornatrix, Fab. Ent. Syst. III. 1. p. 480. No. 225. Gmel. Linn. S. N. 2444. 110. Oliv. Enc. Méth. 5. 100. No. 258.

Habitat: Antigua (Drury). America (Linn. Fabr.).

Upper Side. Antennæ black, filiform. Head with a black frontal spot; tongue spiral. Thorax flesh-coloured, with small black spots. Anterior wings fine flesh-coloured; the anterior edges being bordered with scarlet, except four small white places, in each of which is a small black spot; near the base is a red cordate spot, with a small black one above it; near the external margin is a row of small black spots; above this is a row of red ones, nearly joining together, and nearly united to the red border at the anterior edge, and above this is another row of black ones. Posterior wings clear white, their external edges with large angular spots of black, one of them running to the anterior edge.

Under Side. Anterior wings fine deep scarlet, but next the shoulders white, as is the cilia, where, joining to it, is a row of very small black spots; a little above this is a black irregular line, running from the anterior edge to the lower angle; above this line is another, shorter, reaching half way across the wings. Posterior wings clear white, spotted with the same black angular spots, as on the upper side; the anterior edges being of the same scarlet colour as the superior wings.

DEIOPEIA BELLA.

Plate [XXIV]. fig. 3.

Order: Lepidoptera. Section: Nocturna. Family: Lithosiidæ.

Genus. Deiopeia, Stephens. Euchelia. Boisduval. Eyprepia p. Ochs.

Deiopeia Bella. Alis anticis albidis, fasciis sex punctorum nigrorum fasciis fulvis divisis; posticis rubris apice nigris. (Expans. Alar. 1 unc. 9 lin.)

Syn. Phalæna (Tinea) bella, Linn. S. N. 2. 884. No. 348. Fabr. Ent. Syst. III. 1. 479. No. 223. Gmel. Linn. S. N. 2447. 348. Oliv. Enc. Méth. 5. 99. 256.

Habitat: New York.

Upper Side. Antennæ black and filiform. Head with a small black spot between the antennæ. Thorax and abdomen white; on the former are several small black spots. Anterior wings of a fine yellow, with several white, narrow, irregular bars crossing them; having on each several small black spots; cilia white, and above it is a row of small black spots that almost joins it. Posterior wings faint scarlet, externally edged with a narrow black border; cilia white.

Under Side. The anterior wings fine scarlet, inclining along the anterior edge to yellow; where are several angular black spots, each lengthening as it approaches the tips; along the external margin is a row of small black spots. Posterior wings scarlet, edged with the same black border as on the upper side; on the anterior edge are two white spots, with black ones in their centres.

In the 'Systema Naturæ' this and the preceding most nearly allied species were placed far apart in the genera Noctua and Tinea. This species appears in May and August. The caterpillar is of the same colours as the anterior wing of the moth, and feeds on the blue lupine.

PLATE XXV.

SPHINX CAROLINA.

Plate [XXV]. fig. 1.

Order: Lepidoptera. Section: Crepuscularia. Family: Sphingidæ, Leach.

Genus. Sphinx, Auct.

Sphinx Carolina. Alis anticis fusco cinereoque variis, posticis fasciis 3-4 fuscis exterioribus dentatis; ciliâ albo nigroque variâ, abdomine maculis 10-12 lateralibus luteis. (Expans. Alar. 5 unc.)

Syn. Sphinx Carolina, Linn. S. N. 2. 798. No. 7. Brown. Jam. 438. t. 43. f. 17. Fabr. Ent. Syst. III. 1. p. 363. No. 25. Gmel. Linn. S. N. 2377. No. 7. Stephens Ill. Brit. Ent. H. 1. 118. Abbot & Smith, Ins. Georg. tab. 33. Curtis Brit. Ent. v. pl. 1. 197.

Habitat: New York, Maryland, Virginia.

Upper Side. Antennæ internally white, but externally brown. The head, thorax, and abdomen of a rusty grey brown; the sides of the latter having five oblong yellow spots, intersected by black lines, on each of which is a small white spot placed between the yellow ones. Anterior wings rusty grey brown, with a white spot at the base, and another small discoidal white one; a narrow irregular indented line of white begins near the interior angle, and runs nearly to the tip; several indented lines, nearly black, cross the wings, more or less distinct. Cilia brown, spotted with white. Posterior wings brown, darkest in the middle, the shoulders being nearly black, with an indented narrow bar of ash colour running across them, from the middle of the anterior edges to the anal angle; below this is a narrow black one, answering and joining to it.

Under Side. Breast and abdomen ash-coloured. Anterior wings brown, without any marks or shades, except two very faint undulated dark lines crossing them. Posterior wings, next the body, ash-coloured; the remainder being like the anterior, with some faint dark lines crossing them.

According to Abbot the caterpillar is pale green, with white lateral oblique stripes, and a pink tail. It is said to feed on the potato, tobacco, red pepper (Capsicum?), &c. One of these caterpillars, observed by Abbot, went into the ground on the 19th of June, and came out on the 15th of July; whilst another went in on the 8th of July, and came out on the 1st of August. The caterpillar is stated by the same author to be very destructive in plantations of tobacco, the cultivators being obliged to pick them carefully off the young plants. The chrysalis is of a chesnut colour, with a long nearly straight tongue case, extending to the middle of the breast, and clubbed at the end. The moth is generally seen in an evening, sucking the James-town weed and gourd blossoms, and continues breeding all the summer; the moth is common in the West Indies, as well as in Georgia and Carolina. Dr. Brown says it is called the musquito hawk, from its appearing at that time of the evening when those insects abound, and being vulgarly but erroneously supposed to prey upon them. Abbot and Smith, loc. cit.

Specimens of this American insect have from time to time been captured in this country. "It unquestionably cannot," however observes Mr. Stephens, "be considered as indigenous, and ought to be rigidly excluded from our cabinets; otherwise the most perplexing consequences must inevitably arise, to the total confusion of our inquiries into the geographical distribution of insects. If this be admitted, as well might 'the noble monarch of the forest,' because a captive lioness which had escaped from her prison was retaken on Salisbury Plain."

SYNTOMIS PHEGEA.

Plate [XXV]. fig. 2.

Order: Lepidoptera. Section: Crepuscularia.? Family: Zygænidæ, Leach.

Genus. Syntomis, Illiger. Zygæna, Rossi. Fabr. Sphinx, Linn.

Syntomis Phegea. Viridi-atra alarum punctis fenestratis, anticarum sex, posticarum duobus; abdomine cingulo luteo. (Expans. Alar. 1 unc. 9 lin.)

Syn. Sphinx Phegea, Linn. Syst. Nat. 2. 805. 35. God. Lepid. du Franc. pl. 22. f. 14.

Zygæna Quercûs, Fabr. Ent. Syst. III. 1. 388. No. 6.

Syntomis Quercûs, Latr. Genera Crust. et Ins. 4. p. 213.

Sphinx du Pissenlit, Engram Pap. d'Eur.

Habitat: Germany.

Upper Side. Antennæ black, filiform, with the tips white. Head and thorax black. Abdomen dark green, almost black; on the top, next the thorax, is a deep yellow spot like gold, and near the extremity a ring of the same golden yellow extends just below the sides. Anterior wings dark green; having six transparent spots, one next the shoulders, two in the middle, and three next the tips. Posterior wings of the same colour as the superior, with two transparent spots on them.

Under Side. Breast and abdomen dark green; on each side the breast are two golden yellow spots. All the wings are coloured and marked as on the upper side.

GLAUCOPIS FENESTRATA.

Plate [XXV]. fig. 3.

Order: Lepidoptera. Section: Crepuscularia? Family: Zygænidæ, Leach.

Genus. Glaucopis, Fabr. Charidea, Dalm. Sphinx, Linn.

Glaucopis Fenestrata. Alis anticis nigris, maculâ magnâ discoidali fere ocellatâ fenestratâ, posticis fenestratis margine nigro, pedibus palpisque coccineis. (Expans. Alar. 2 unc. 6 lin.)

Syn. Sphinx Fenestrata, Drury, App. v. 2.

Habitat: Jamaica.

Upper Side. Antennæ nearly black, and pectinated. Head and eyes black. Palpi small and long, and of a fine scarlet. Tongue spiral. Thorax blueish green, almost black. Abdomen dark brown. Anterior wings the same, the middle part being perfectly transparent like glass, wherein is a dark cloud which is joined to the anterior margin. Posterior wings small, transparent, with a dark brown narrow border running round their edges, which at the upper corners is broad where it becomes cloud-like.

Under Side. Breast dark brown. Legs and thighs scarlet, which colour extends along the middle of the abdomen, almost to the tail, where it becomes a little fainter, being crossed by the rings of the abdomen, which are black and very narrow. All the wings of the same colour as on the upper side.

SPHINX CINGULATA.

Plate [XXV]. fig. 4.

Order: Lepidoptera. Section: Crepuscularia. Family: Sphingidæ, Leach.

Genus. Sphinx, Auct.

Sphinx Cingulata. Alis anticis cinereo atroque undatis, puncto parvo discoidali; posticis nigro fasciatis, basi sanguineis, abdominis fasciis alternis interruptis sanguineis et atris. (Expans. Alar. 4 unc. 6 lin.)

Syn. Sphinx Cingulata, Fabr. Ent. Syst. III. 1. 395. No. 56.

Sphinx Convolvuli var. Drury, Append. vol. 2. (Exclus. Syn. Gmel. Linn. S. N. 2376. No. 6.) Abbot and Smith Ins. Georg. 1. tab. 32.

Habitat: St. Christopher's.

Upper Side. Antennæ white on one side, and brown on the other. Thorax dark brown, with several curved lines running across it from one shoulder to the other. The abdomen, on the upper part is beautifully encircled with five rings of rose colour, and six of black, extending to its sides, having on the top of it a line of a rusty brown, which runs from the base to the extremity. Anterior wings brown chesnut, marked with lighter and darker clouds, some of which are almost black; having a lighter spot near the middle, and not far from the anterior margin. Posterior wings at the base black, but along the external edges of a grey brown, the middle being occupied by three bars of red, ash, and faint rose colours, separated by three black waved lines crossing them from the anterior to the interior. Cilia brown spotted with white.

Under Side. Breast and abdomen ash-coloured; along the latter are five dark spots (the middle ones the largest) placed at the bottom of the five segments near the breast. Anterior wings dark hazel, immaculate. Posterior wings of the same colour along the anterior and external margins; but next the shoulders and inner edges are of a grey ash colour; a dark coloured line begins near the anal angle, where it is almost black, and runs across the wing, ending at the middle of the anterior edge; from whence to the middle it resembles a row of arches joined together.

The caterpillar of this insect, according to Abbot and Smith, is brown, with four dorsal dark flesh-coloured lines, and a series of short lateral oblique cream-coloured marks united together over the legs. It feeds upon the sweet potatoe plant (Convolvulus Batatas, Linn.), and is sometimes frequent though the moth is rare. The chrysalis is chesnut, with a long curved tongue case, the extremity of which is recurved. It is often dug up with the potatoes. In Virginia one of these insects buried itself October 3rd, and came forth in the perfect state on the 30th of May; whilst one observed in Georgia went into the ground on the 20th of August, and came out the 11th of September.

This species was considered by Drury and Smith as a climatal variety of the Europæan Sphinx Convolvuli. Fabricius, however, considered it distinct, and designated it by the specific name adopted above.