Illustrations of Exotic Entomology, Volume 2

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. II.

LONDON:

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

MDCCCXXXVII.

MR. DRURY'S PREFACE

TO THE FIRST EDITION.

VOL. II.

To gratify a laudable curiosity, and lead the mind to the exercise of one of its noblest faculties, was the motive that first encouraged me to publish a work of this kind. How far it has answered these ends, what pleasure it has produced, of what benefit or advantage it has been to mankind, by inducing them to contemplate the admirable works of Providence, and trace its wisdom and goodness through the medium of this branch of the history of nature, are circumstances, the confined sphere of life in which I have hitherto moved, has not given me those opportunities of knowing that I could wish. But the kind reception the first volume of this work has met with, seems to justify the opinion that it has not been written in vain.

In the Preface to my former volume, I told my readers, that my design of giving an addition to that work, would entirely depend on the reception the public should be pleased to give it. I was willing to have some proof of the public approbation, before I ventured rashly to engage further in so considerable an expense as the engraving and colouring the plates, &c. which was too great for me to incur without a prospect of a reimbursement.

It is now with the utmost pleasure I can declare, that I have the greatest reason to be satisfied on that head; the world has generously encouraged my first attempt, and it is to that cause the present volume owes its appearance. The quick sale of a great number of copies, on the first publication, was a proof of the great progress natural history had made; and gave me the utmost hopes a continuation might be equally as acceptable, if conducted on the same plan, and rendered as agreeable by the exertion of the artist's abilities. I have now the satisfaction of offering a volume to the public not inferior to the first.

It is a pleasing reflection to consider the great strides natural history is making in this kingdom, as well as in other parts of the world; and the many publications on the various subjects of nature, that have made their appearance within these last three or four years, is a circumstance that must give every man of a liberal mind the greatest satisfaction. We see persons, skilled in natural history, receiving encouragements and reward from men of rank and property, according to their respective abilities. Some are encouraged to pursue their studies in foreign parts, and investigate the secrets of nature among the trees and plants; others are employed in discovering countries, and searching the shores of coasts, hitherto unknown, for subjects that will afford either profit or speculative pleasure; while the artist at home is not neglected and abandoned, but meets the reward his merit entitles him to.

Natural history has, certainly, less reason to court the favour of mankind than many other branches of knowlege; as the pursuit of it, either as a science or amusement, is so replete with pleasure, that it is hardly possible to refuse it our approbation and encouragement, so soon as we give ourselves the least time to enquire into its merits; and we are often stimulated to pursue it from the appearance of that inexhaustible store of entertainment it is sure to afford. It is therefore less to be wondered at that publications on these subjects are more numerous than formerly; as the desire of communicating knowledge and happiness is irresistible, and men, for their own sakes, will be induced to follow the tracks, where the enjoyment of unallayed pleasure lies within their grasp.

I shall not dwell any longer on this part of the subject, but inform the reader, that the same plan, of giving just and accurate figures, that was followed in the first volume, is continued in this. The utmost care and nicety has been observed, both in the outlines and engraving. Nothing is strained or carried beyond the bounds nature has set; and whoever will compare the engravings with the originals, I flatter myself will allow, that nothing is borrowed from fancy, or any colour given to an insect that does not really exist in the subject intended to be represented.

It is true, the want of those remarks and observations on their natural history, similar to those inserted in my first volume, is a circumstance I have great reason to lament. I mentioned my opinion of the cause in my former address, in which I have since been confirmed by repeated proofs; and notwithstanding the great labour and trouble I have been at, not only in procuring the subjects of the present volume, but in endeavouring also to get the natural history of some of the most extraordinary of them, I have not been able to obtain one single piece of information proper to be laid before the public.

It is to little or no purpose to make further enquiry into the reasons of this want of curiosity, among all ranks of people, situated in distant climates, more than I have already done. I find it is so; and whether it proceeds from an ill-judged pride, in thinking such minute animals below their notice, or whether it arises from that languor of mind, as well as of body, that generally prevails in warm climates, is a matter of no consequence to mankind: the world is not benefited by their situations, and we must be content to remain in our present ignorance, till Providence shall think proper to give us a second Swammerdam, or Reaumur, &c. and place him in a distant part of the globe, for the advantage of the human race.

It is necessary to mention, that both the descriptions, and engravings, were finished about the beginning of the year 1771, and as some of the insects are mentioned as non-descripts, that since that time have appeared in other works, I hope I shall not be considered as guilty of an imposition on that account.

The present age has made great improvements in entomology, as well as other parts of natural history. The many publications that have appeared on that subject within these two years, are proofs how well works of this kind are received; and as all iconographers aim at giving representations of unfigured subjects, it is no wonder if some contained in this volume should be presented to the world by those who happened to have got the start of me. The plates were actually engraved, and great part of the prints coloured, before I discovered that any of the subjects had been figured by other authors; and to have suppressed them on account of the very few that are found in other works, would have incurred an expense greater than the nature of the case would allow.

The objection made of the want of names to the insects contained in my first volume, the reader will here find removed; and trivial as well as generical ones, given to every insect in the whole work: and likewise a few errors of the press corrected, that have almost imperceptibly got in. I was, indeed, truly sensible of the defect and incompleteness of that volume, occasioned by the above circumstance, and would gladly have named every insect then delineated; but the different opinions subsisting at that time among entomologists, some preferring one author and some another, made me exceeding cautious of entering on that business: and I rather chose to defer it to the present opportunity, than give occasion for any reflections against me, for my attachment to an author, whose method I should certainly have pursued, and whose works have deservedly entitled him to the appellation of father of natural history. I mean the excellent Linneus, whose system seems now to be generally approved and followed; and I must here mention, the opportunity that the present work affords of giving an explanation of the terms, &c. in his work, I should certainly have availed myself of, for the benefit of the young beginner; but as my friend, Mr. Curtis, has published a good translation of the "Fundamenta Entomologiæ" of that author, wherein the young student, as well as the adept, who are not versed in the Latin tongue, may receive great improvement; I must refer them to that work for the properly understanding the plan and design of that great author.

The reader will observe, that in giving trivial names I have strictly followed the method of Linneus. The Butterflies entitled to be ranked among the Equites, are named after some great personage found among the Greeks and Trojans; as in Plate [iii]. Fig. 1. where I have named the insect Antenor, from a Trojan prince; and Plate [ix]. Fig. 1, 2. Menestheus from a Grecian one; one belonging to the Eq. Trojanes, the other to Eq. Achivi. I have likewise followed his rule in naming the insects belonging to other classes; and given such as I concluded to be the most easily retained in the memory. To this end also I have used the Latin language in preference to the English, for the great liberty it allows of compounding and decompounding words and names; a circumstance of the greatest consequence in a business of this sort.

I should think myself totally unpardonable, if I finished this address without acknowledging the obligation I am under to several friends, whose assistance in this work claim the utmost return of gratitude; among these, in a most particular manner I must mention Dr. Fothergill, whose readiness to encourage and promote every part of natural history, must endear him to every man who wishes well to so useful and beneficial a branch of knowledge; and it is to the kindness of that gentleman the reader will perceive I am indebted for a great number of figures that form a considerable part of this work; many of which are so very rare, as not to be met with in any other cabinet.

ILLUSTRATIONS

OF

EXOTIC ENTOMOLOGY.

PLATE I.

HÆTERA PHILOCTETES.

Plate [I]. fig. 1, 2.

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

Genus. Hætera, Fabr. (Syst. Gloss. in Illig. Mag.) Satyrus, Latr. & God. Papilio p. Linn.

Hætera Philoctetes. Alis suprà violaceo-fuscis; posticis ad angulum ani maculis tribus cœruleis, externis duabus puncto nigro, punctisque tribus albis, subtus fasciâ latâ communi purpureo-fuscâ utrinque albomarginatâ. (Expans. Alar. 4 unc. fere.)

Syn. Papilio (Equ. Achiv. Philoctetes), Linn. Syst. Nat. 2. 750. No. 29. Cramer, tab. 20. fig. A. B. C. Fabr. Ent. Syst. III. 1. p. 83. p. 259. (Nymphalis Ph.) Herbst. tab. 55. fig. 2. 3. Enc. Méth. ix. p. 481. (Satyrus Ph.)

Habitat: Surinam (Drury). "In Indiis." (Linn.)

Upper Side. Head, thorax, and abdomen dusky brown. Anterior wings fine mellow dark brown or snuff colour towards the tips; but near the body, glowing with a fine dark glossy purple. Near the tip of each wing are two small white specks, one scarcely visible; on the lower part of each wing is a rather large oval spot, of the same snuff colour with that near the tips. Posterior edges circularly dilated, and gradually widening from the shoulders to the external edges. Posterior wings dark brown, but glowing all over in some directions with a dark glossy blueish purple. Near the abdominal corners are two black eyes on each wing, surrounded by beautiful dazzling blue.

Under Side. Breast and sides yellowish sandy-coloured. Anterior wings divided into three parts by two lines or bars; one being brown and narrow, the other white and rather broad. The first division, next the body, is of a russet or light hair colour, tinctured with pearl, having a short black streak near the middle; the next, or middle division, is light brown; the third is dark clay-coloured. A considerable number of long hairs arising from a single point or stalk, spreading like the leaves of a fan, and occupying the space corresponding with the oval spot mentioned before; those on the outside bending downwards, and curling. (See Fig. 3. This circumstance is peculiar to one sex only.) Posterior wings next the body russet, with a single black spot near the middle of each. Abdominal groove russet. Middle of the wing with a rather broad bar of a fine deep chocolate colour, beginning at the anterior edge and ending at the abdominal groove; the upper side of the bar next the body being russet. Lower part of the wing, next the external edge, of a colour between russet and chocolate, with three small white spots near the upper corner. The two black eyes are distinct on this side, with narrow blue irides. The wings are a little dentated.

Drury's figure represents an individual in which the posterior wings have no appearance of the short tail, which the species ordinarily exhibits. It may, perhaps, originate in the figure being taken from a mutilated specimen. The Papilio Morna of Fabricius, appears nearly allied to this insect.

THECLA FAUNUS ♀.

Plate [I]. fig. 4, 5.

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

Genus. Thecla, Fabr. Polyommatus p. Latr. Hesperia p. Fabr. olim. Papilio (Pleb. ruric.) Drury.

Thecla Faunus. Alis supra fuscescenti-violaceis apice atro, subtus albis strigâ communi mediâ fulvâ; posticis tricaudatis, lineâ marginali nigricante maculisque duabus nigro viridique mixtis. (Expans. Alar. 1 unc. 3 lin.)

Syn. ♀ Papilio (Pleb. ruric.) Faunus, Drury, App. vol. 2. Cramer, pl. 39. B. C. ♂. 96. F. G. ♀. Fabr. Ent. Syst. III. 1. p. 161. No. 11. (Hesperia F.) Encycl. Méth. ix. p. 618. 1. (Polyommatus F.)

♂ Hesperia R. Hesiodus, Fabr. Ent. Syst. III. 1. p. 260. 8. Pal. Bauv. Ins. d'Afr. et d'Amer. Lep. Pl. 7. f. 5. 6. 7. ♂. ♀.

Habitat: Sierra Leone (Fabr.). Gold Coast (Drury).

Upper Side. Antennæ ringed with white and black. Anterior wings greyish brown, without markings. Posterior wings of the same greyish brown. Cilia white. A little above the abdominal corners are four white spots, placed close together; the two inner ones being smallest. Each of these wings is furnished with three tails, the upper parts of which are black, the other parts white; the middle one being almost as long as the wing, the other two are about half that length.

Under Side. Palpi, head, and breast white. Legs white and brown. Wings fine silvery white. A small, narrow, orange-coloured line begins at the middle of the anterior edge of the fore wings: which, crossing them and the hind ones, runs almost to the abdominal corner, where it suddenly turns back and ends at the abdominal groove. Near this part are two small black spots, one placed between the two outer tails, and the other on the abdominal edge.

Fabricius gives the sexes of this insect as distinct species, under the names cited above, stating India to be the habitat of Hesiodus (or the male). Palisot de Bauvois has, however, satisfactorily cleared up the error, by figuring both sexes from Africa. The male has the disc of the wings, on the upper side, of a rich blue colour.

PLATE II.

EREBUS HIEROGLYPHICUS.

Plate [II]. fig. 1.

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

Genus. Erebus, Latr. Thysania, Dalm. Noctua, Fabr.

Erebus Hieroglyphicus. Alis dentatis atris; anticis fasciâ abbreviatâ albidâ maculâque subocellari, posticarum margine bisinuato. (Expans. Alar. 3 unc. 7 lin.)

Syn. Phalæna (Noctua) hieroglyphica, Drury, App. vol. 2. Donovan Ins. India, pl. 54. fig. 3. Oliv. Enc. Méth. 8. 253. 11.

Noctua hieroglyphica, Fabr. Ent. Syst. III. 2. p. 11. No. 10.

Phalæna Magdonia, Cram. Ins. 2. t. 174. f. F.

Habitat: Madras.

Upper Side. Antennæ setaceous. Tongue spiral. Thorax and abdomen dark brown. Wings beautiful mellow dark brown, or deep chocolate, appearing like velvet. Anterior wings with two long, square, yellow spots on each, joined together at their corners, placed near the tips, and joining to the anterior edges of each wing; and also a rather large central eye, almost joining to the anterior edge; iris black and narrow, the pupil large, and the same colour with the wing. Posterior wings immaculate.

Under Side. Palpi filiform at their extremities, and standing erect over the head. Breast, sides, and abdomen dark brown. Wings dark brown, rather lighter than on the upper side. Anterior with three yellow spots on each. Posterior wings immaculate. All the wings dentated; the scollops of the anterior wings being small, and those of the posterior very large.

DEIOPEIA? PUELLA.

Plate [II]. fig. 2.

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

Genus. Deiopeia? Steph. Phalæna (Noctua), Drury.

Deiopeia? Puella. Alis anticis albis, maculâ parvâ discoidali nigrâ, fasciisque 4 transversis rubris, posticis abdomineque carneis. (Expans. Alar. 1 unc. 3 lin.)

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

Habitat: Madras.

Upper Side. Antennæ setaceous. Head white. Tongue spiral. Neck red. Thorax red and white. Abdomen grey. Anterior wings white, having a small black central spot in the middle of each, with four narrow red lines crossing them. Posterior wings yellowish flesh-coloured, immaculate.

Under Side. Breast, sides, and abdomen light grey. Anterior wings having the anterior edges tinged with red at the base, the four narrow red lines being faintly seen on this side. Posterior wings coloured as on the upper side.

NOCTUA MYRTÆA.

Plate [II]. fig. 3.

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

Genus. Noctua, Auct.

Noctua Myrtæa. Testacea, alis strigis nonnullis undatis fuscis. (Expans. Alar. 1 unc. 3 lin.)

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

Habitat: Madras.

Upper Side. Antennæ brown and setaceous. Palpi, head, neck, thorax, abdomen, and wings reddish flesh-coloured; the latter having some very faint waved lines crossing them. Cilia dark brown.

Under Side. Breast, sides, legs, and abdomen coloured as on the upper side. Wings yellowish, with many small narrow streaks. On the external edges of the anterior wings is a dark brown patch, near the tips. Cilia dark brown.

I do not know to which of the modern genera of Noctuidæ this insect belongs.

HELEONA PAPILIONARIS.

Plate [II]. fig. 4.

Order: Lepidoptera. Section: Diurna. Family: Arctiidæ? Steph.

Genus. Heleona, Swains. (Zool. Illust. N. Ser. 116.) Gymnautocera? Guérin. (Mag. d'Entomol. t. 12)

Heleona Papilionaris. Alis albido-flavis; margine venisque dilatatis, ramosis, nigris et versus medium coalitis, maculas albas efformantibus. (Expans. Alar. 3 unc. 3 lin.)

Syn. Phalæna (Noctua) Papilionaris, Drury, App. vol. 2. Cramer, t. 29. fig. A.

Phalæna venaria, Fabr. Ent. Syst. III. 2. p. 156. No. 96. Gmel. Linn. S. N. 2470. No. 701.

Habitat: China (Drury). "In Indis" (Fabr.).

Upper Side. Antennæ dark blue and pectinated. Tongue spiral. Head, neck, and thorax dark mazarine blue, spotted with white. Abdomen deep blue, with six white rings. Wings black, covered with a number of streaks and spots of a dusky brimstone; those nearest the body being much longer than those next the external edges; where eight of them form a kind of border on each wing, and are all placed on the membranous parts between the nerves. Margins of the wings entire.

Under Side. Breast and sides blue. Legs blue and white. Anterior wings with the anterior edges fine mazarine blue. The remaining parts of all the wings are exactly the same as on the upper side.

PLATE III.

PAPILIO ANTENOR.

Plate [III]. fig. 1.

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

Genus. Papilio, Auct. Papilio (Eq. Troj.) Drury.

Papilio Antenor. Alis dentatis concoloribus albo maculatis; posticis caudatis; disco atomis viridibus lunulisque marginalibus rubris. (Expans. Alar. 6 unc. 6 lin.)

Syn. Papilio (Eq. Troj.) Antenor, Drury, App. vol. 2. Donovan Ins. of India, pl. 15. f. 1. Fabr. Ent. Syst. III. 1. p. 40. No. 9. Boisd. Hist. Nat. Lep. 1. p. 189. No. 2.

Habitat: Central Africa.

Upper Side. Antennæ red brown, but thickening gradually to the tips. Head fine scarlet. Thorax velvety black. Abdomen white with scarlet rings. Anterior wings black, with three rows of cream-coloured spots on each; the two upper ones next the anterior edge being a little confused by running into each other; the lower one, running parallel with the external margin, is more regular. These spots, being nineteen in number, are of different sizes and shapes; some being round, some oval, triangular, &c. Posterior wings black, with two tails; having four rather broad scarlet crescents placed above each of them, the ends of which are verged with cream. On the middle of each wing is placed a great number of small powder-like spots of a golden green colour; and on the abdominal edges, just below the body, are two scarlet and cream crescents placed opposite each other. The upper part of each wing exhibits ten cream-coloured spots of different shapes and sizes, whereof three are larger than all the rest.

Under Side. Breast scarlet. Sides black. Abdomen scarlet, with white rings. Wings coloured nearly as on the other side; the spots being rather more distinct, the crescents broader, and the cream edges stronger than on the upper side. All the wings are dentated; the superior very faintly, the inferior very deeply.

Drury states that he was ignorant from what part of the world his specimen (which was given to him by Mr. Leman) came from. No other individual of this species is recorded to exist in the modern collections, and it is from the figure and description of Drury that all subsequent writers have derived their knowledge of this splendid and unique insect.

Donovan, however, figured this butterfly, or rather copied Drury's figure in his beautiful work upon the Insects of India, observing merely that it might be "mentioned with much propriety amongst the rarest of the Papilio tribe found in India," without giving any account of the source from whence his figure and information had been obtained.

At the sale of Mr. Drury's collection, this butterfly composed lot 4 of the first day's sale, May 23, 1805, and was purchased by Mr. Latham at the price of £2. 12s. 6d.

The Rev. F. W. Hope, however, possesses a specimen, which he has informed me, that he obtained in a small collection of rare insects from tropical Africa, collected by the late Mr. Ritchie.

THECLA SYLVANUS.

Plate [III]. fig. 2, 3.

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

Genus. Thecla, Fabr. Polyommatus p. Latr. & God. Hesperia p. Fabr. olim. Papilio (Pleb. ruric.) Linn. Drury.

Thecla Sylvanus. Alis suprà maris obscurè violaceis, feminæ albido cœrulescentibus; subtus fuscis, annulis numerosis albis seu albidis; posticis ocellis duobus anguli ani argenteis rufo cinctis. (Expans. Alar. 1 unc. 3 lin.)

Syn. Papilio (Pleb. rur.) Sylvanus, Drury, App. vol. 2.

Pap. Larydas, Cramer, pl. 282. fig. H. Herbst. tab. 290. f. 1. Latr. & God. Enc. Méth. ix. 619. (Polyommatus Larydas.)

Habitat: Sierra Leone.

Upper Side. Head, thorax, and abdomen black. Wings of a dark mazarine blue, tinged with brown; immaculate. Posterior wings with three small narrow tails to each, which appear to be clusters of small hairs, extending from the wing below the cilia.

Under Side. Palpi, breast, and thighs grey. Wings russet or hair-coloured. Anterior near the tips with a few faint markings. Posterior wings irregularly spotted with black, dark brown, and whitish spots and marks; two black ones being situated next the abdominal corners, and sparkling with small sapphire-coloured specks placed thereon, being scarcely discernible. All the wings are entire.

POLYOMMATUS ISIS.

Plate [III]. fig. 4, 5.

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

Genus. Polyommatus, Latr. & God. Hesperia (rur.), Fabr. Argus p. Scop.

Polyommatus Isis. Alis supra violaceo-cœrulescentibus, disco anticarum maculâ, posticarum fasciâ albis; subtus albis; posticis fasciis duabus repandis, et macularum serie nigris, harum duabus internis argentatis ♂. (Expans. Alar. 1 unc. 3 lin.)

Syn. Papilio (Dan. Festiv.) Isis, Drury, App. vol. 1.

Hesperia Isarchus, Fabr. Ent. Syst. III. 1. p. 316. 198. Herbst. Pap. 320. f. 8, 9. Enc. Méth. ix. p. 679. No. 194. (Pol. Isarchus.)

Papilio Camillus, Cramer, pl. 300. fig. A. B.

Habitat: Sierra Leone (Drury). "America, Dom. Drury" (Fabricius). Timor (Enc. Méth.).

Upper Side. Head, black. Thorax and abdomen dark blue. Anterior wings fine violet, a little inclining to purple; round the external edge runs a small narrow black line. Cilia white and black. On the middle of these wings is a white patch, with two small faint dark spots on its upper side. Posterior wings violet-coloured, with the same narrow black line running along the external edges as on the anterior. An irregular white bar crosses these wings from the anterior to the abdominal edges, beginning near the upper corner and ending near the extremity of the body.

Under Side. Palpi, breast, and sides white. Legs black. Abdomen white. Anterior wings white, with some dark brown markings running along the anterior and external edges, whereon are some white streaks and patches. Posterior wings white, whereof one-third next the external edges is dark brown, but next the cilia is whitish; whereon are six small round brown spots, two of which, next the abdominal corners, sparkle with blue like a sapphire; the upper parts of these wings, next the shoulders, have a brown double streak on each. All the wings are entire.

PLATE IV.

PAPILIO NIREUS.

Plate [IV]. fig. 1, 2.

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

Genus. Papilio, Linn. &c. (Section Equit. Achiv.)

Papilio Nireus. Alis dentatis, nigris, fasciâ communi maculisque viridibus; posticis breviter caudatis; his subtus fasciâ subargenteâ, marginali, nervis divisâ. (Expans. Alar. unc. 4. lin. 8.)

Syn. Papilio Nireus, Linn. Syst. Nat. 2. p. 750. No. 28. Fabr. Ent. Syst. III. 1. p. 36. No. 106. God. Enc. Méth. ix. p. 48. No. 67. Cram. 187. A. B. & 378. F. G. Herbst. Pap. tab. 37. f. 1. 2. Boisduval. Hist. Nat. Lepid. 1. 224.

Habitat: Sierra Leone (Drury). Coast of Guinea, Caffraria, Madagascar (Bdv.). India (Linn. & Fabr.).

Upper Side. Head, thorax, and abdomen velvety black. Wings fine deep black; with two narrow bars of a beautiful Saxon or blueish green colour, which begin about the middle of the anterior edges of the anterior wings, and crossing both them and the posterior, meet at the abdominal edges near the abdominal corners, running parallel with the external edges. Anterior wings with two small blue spots placed on each near the tips, and another, larger, divided into three by the nerves, near the middle of the anterior edge; being placed at the top and even with the bar, but divided from it by a small separation of black. The edges of these wings are entire. Posterior wings with six blue spots on each, placed along the external edges; the four lower ones being in pairs, and another small one at the abdominal corners; margins deeply angulated.

Under Side. Breast and sides dark brown, spotted with white. Abdomen brown. Wings dark brown hair-coloured, immaculate, except the posterior ones, which have a row of eleven cream-coloured spots running along the external edges.

The female differs from the male in being somewhat larger in size, with the spots on the upper side of a brighter green colour, and with the marginal row of spots on the under side of the posterior wings of a pearly greyish hue, and with a tinge of this colour upon the disk of the wings. Cramer has figured the male as the female, and vice versa. Mr. Smeathman informed Mr. Drury that this insect feeds upon the orange and lime trees, about which the butterfly is always seen flying, considering it as remarkable that most of the insects which feed upon the orange or citron tribes, have some tinge of green upon them; in like manner the beautiful green snake, so common about Sierra Leone, is always to be found about these kind of trees. These circumstances led our author into a series of observations which, though upwards of half a century old, may still be read not only with pleasure, but with the hope of beneficial results.

"The particular qualities, dispositions, and uses of by far the greater part of insects, as well as of plants, are at present totally unknown to us, nor are the methods by which we are to acquire that knowledge at present ascertained.

"Their colours have hitherto been of no further use to us than merely to discriminate one genus or species from another; and yet it is possible that, by a combination of observations even on the colours of insects, we may form some ideas of their natures and properties.

"The observation of Mr. Smeathman, if well founded, supposing it did not lead to a discovery of the nature and properties of an insect itself, might at least indicate those of the plant on which it feeds. The various species of the Danai Candidi, among which are included the different white butterflies of Europe, feed chiefly on such plants as are reckoned not only nourishing, but salutary to the human body, such as the various species of cabbages, coleworts, turnips, &c. Every foreign country produces butterflies of that family; some of them so very like those of Europe, that it is a fair inference they feed on plants of a similar property. This is countenanced by many corroborating circumstances. The Papilio Iris, and the various Fritillary butterflies fly exceedingly swift; and it appears from Mr. Smeathman's observations, that foreign butterflies that bear a resemblance to them, also fly exceedingly swift. The green and golden Scarabei of this country are found to delight in flowers; those of the hot climates are also found on flowers; while the black, purple, and darker coloured Scarabei, are generally found frequenting the excrements of animals, and are, in every quarter of the globe, called Tumble dung-beetles, from their making balls of those substances, and rolling them to their holes. The locust tribes feed here chiefly on grasses and roots; so it appears they do in the torrid zone. Those of the torrid zone are found to be wholesome food. The inference is plain, that those of this climate, in case of necessity, or perhaps even as an article of luxury, might be found the same.

"The caterpillars of certain beetles, from his account, are the greatest delicacies of the hot regions. They might, in some degree, be found to be so here. The palm-worm of the West Indies, which is sought at a monstrous expense, is the caterpillar or maggot of a beetle, of the same genus with that small beetle, which is produced from the maggot or caterpillar in a hazel-nut or filberd. This is often eaten here, and esteemed by those who do so as more delicate than the nut itself.

"The Cantharides is a green beetle. A green beetle of our own, Cerambyx Moschatus, is found capable of raising blisters; and other green beetles may probably have the same effect.

"The butterflies that are found in the cultivated spots of Africa, have in shape and appearance a strong resemblance to many of ours, particularly the white ones. These seldom visit the thick woods; but, when seen in any number, are certain indications of neighbouring plantations. This observation might save the lives of bewildered travellers: as in some instances it might be dangerous to enter into a very large wood, or a thick part of it; in others again, immediate safety might be the consequence of leaving a forest, by following the indications of an open or cultivated spot. The analogy between the colours, the dispositions, and the qualities of insects, may yet be greater, and between insects, and the plants on which they feed, still more useful; for if an insect is found in one part of the world to feed on a plant useful in food, medicine, or manufactures, an insect of a similar appearance, in another part of the world, will in all probability be found to feed on a plant of similar virtues. We do not know but insects may affect, when perfect, to frequent different soils; or to visit the recesses, where valuable drugs remain hid from human search, and useless to mankind.

"As, however, observation and experience have demonstrated, through length of time, that useful hints may be drawn from very trivial properties in the smallest insects, it seems that none are unworthy of being noted. Future travellers may draw useful inferences from those now given, and may add to the number, for the benefit of those who follow after them. There can be no doubt that every species of insect has its use in the creation, and probably there are few from which mankind might not derive some advantage, if their nature and properties were ascertained. We know of a few direct methods, and must therefore in general wait with patience, till a variety of observations, such as Mr. Smeathman has given us, by being frequently compared, strike out new lights upon this part of science, and elucidate matters at this time buried in obscurity. The uses of many insects in the creation are obvious at the first sight: such, for instance, are those which feed on putrid animal or vegetable substances; while others promote the general good by such remote means, that we cannot immediately see to what end their operations verge. We are not therefore, however, to suppose them mere expletives in the great system of beings; neither are we rashly to attribute an importance to them which they do not deserve, or ridiculously affect to admire circumstances in them of little moment, and praise the Creator for dispositions of a secondary nature.

"When I recommend observations to be made on the most trivial circumstances, it will readily be conceived I do not wish to derogate from experiment, from which alone solid hopes are to be formed, and those which have been hitherto made give great encouragement. Mr. Reaumur has found that the moth, which feeds on clothes, refines the colour with which they are dyed in a wonderful manner; for the excrement of the animal is the colour of the cloth on which it is fed; and therefore, for miniature paintings, infinitely surpasses all others. How far this kind of experiment can be refined on, must be left to the curiosity and diligence of travellers and experimental philosophers, who may perhaps, in some part of the world, realize and improve this reasoning upon a large and useful scale."

MELITÆA CYTHERIS.

Plate [IV]. fig. 3, 4.

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

Genus. Melitæa, Fabr. Argynnis p. Ochs. Latr. & God. Papilio (Nymph. Phal.) Drury.

Melitæa Cytheris. Alis supra fulvis nigro maculatis, subtus anticis fulvis apice fusco, strigâ albâ, posticis fuscis strigâ discoidali maculâque marginali albis. (Expans. Alar. 1 unc. 3 lin.)

Syn. Papilio (Nymph. Ph.) Cytheris, Drury, App. vol. 2.

Habitat: Falkland Islands.

Upper Side. Head, eyes, thorax, and abdomen dark brown. Anterior wings brown orange, with a number of small black spots thereon (not less than twenty) of various shapes and sizes. Next the body these wings are darker and pilose. Posterior wings are the same colour as the superior, and spotted with many small black spots of different shapes dispersed all over the wings; they are also darker next the body and hairy.

Under Side. Palpi reddish. Anterior wings sandy orange-coloured, rather paler than the upper side. Near the tips is a white streak placed next the anterior margin, and close thereto is a cloud of a dark red colour. Most of the small black spots are seen on this side, but less distinctly. Posterior wings dark red, with several faint clouds. A narrow white streak, about a quarter of an inch in length, is placed near the middle of each of these wings; and another much shorter is placed on the anterior edge, near the upper corner. All the wings are entire.

PLATE V.

SATURNIA MYLITTA.

Plate [V]. fig. 1.

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

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

Saturnia Mylitta. Alis cervino-fulvis, strigâ ferrugineâ submarginali ocelloque fenestrato, in medio lineâ diviso. (Expans. Alar. 6 unc. 3 lin.)

Syn. Phalæna (Attacus) Mylitta, Drury, App. vol. 2. Oliv. Enc. Méth. 5. 26. 9. Fabr. Ent. Syst. III. 1. 411. No. 11. Gmel. Linn. S. N. 2403. 463.

Phalæna Paphia, Cramer, t. 146. f. A.

Habitat: Bengal.

Upper Side. Antennæ pectinated, reddish fox-coloured. Neck grey. Thorax and abdomen greyish yellow. Wings reddish fox-coloured, having a round transparent eye in the middle of each; those in the superior being largest. These eyes are encircled with a narrow yellow edging, then with a greyish band, and lastly with a narrow black line; the transparent pupil appearing as if a fine hair crossed it. The anterior edges of the superior wings have a grey margin from the shoulders almost to the tips, where the reddish colour is paler than on the rest of the wing. A narrow dark line begins near the tips, and runs along the external edges to the lower corners, which is continued along the external edges of the posterior wings to the abdominal corners. On these wings a faint arched line of a dark colour is observable over each eye.

Under Side. Breast, feet, and abdomen grey. The wings greyish brown; eyes appearing as on the upper side. A faint dark-coloured bar, beginning at the anterior edges of the anterior wings, and running across the lower parts of the eyes, is continued along the posterior ones; where it crosses the middle of the eyes, and ends at the abdominal edges below the body. All the wings are entire; the superior ones being arched, or hooked at the tips.

NOCTUA? SPECIOSA.

Plate [V]. fig. 2.

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

Genus. Noctua? Auct.

Noctua? Speciosa. Fulva, alis anticis medio, posticisque albidis, illarum basi fulvo, maculis 6 parvis nigris, dimidio apicali obscuriori. (Expans. Alar. 2 unc. 9 lin.)

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

Habitat: Sierra Leone.

Upper Side. Antennæ black, setaceous. Tongue long and spiral. Head, neck, thorax, and abdomen yellow. Anterior wings pale clay-coloured; but next the shoulders yellow, gradually changing to a white towards the middle of the wings, and occupying almost half of them; each wing having six small black spots on the yellow part, three being placed on the anterior edge, and the other three near the shoulder, where likewise is another small spot. Posterior wings white, immaculate.

Under Side. Palpi long and yellow at the base, but the ends are black and filiform. Legs white, striped with brown. Breast and abdomen white. Anterior wings with the tips pale clay-coloured, as on the upper side; all the remaining part being white. A small black bar begins about the middle of the anterior margin, and crossing the wing ends at the lower corner. Next the shoulders is a small tuft of hairs of a silver colour placed on each wing. Posterior wings white and immaculate. The margin of the wings entire.

This and several nearly allied species of tropical moths constitute a very distinct subgenus characterized by the prevailing colour, the spots at the base of the wings, the elongated palpi, and the peculiar neuration of the anterior wings. I have not, however, ventured to propose the establishment of a subgenus for them. They appear in some respects to be allied to the genus Leucania.

CALLIMORPHA? PYLOTIS.

Plate [V]. fig. 3.

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

Genus. Callimorpha? Latr. Setina p. Schr. Phalæna (Bombyx), Drury.

Callimorpha? Pylotis. Alis atro-cœruleis, anticis fasciâ latâ mediâ albâ. (Expans. Alar. 2 unc. 6 lin.)

Syn. Phalæna (Bombyx) Pylotis, Drury, App. vol. 2. Oliv. Enc. Méth. 5. 99. No. 255. Fabr. Sp. Ins. No. 263. Syst. Ent. 585.

Phalæna cribraria, Clerck. Ins. 54. f. 4.

Habitat: Bay of Honduras.

Upper Side. Antennæ black and pectinated. Tongue orange-coloured, and spiral. Head, thorax, and abdomen fine mazarine blue. Anterior wings dark mazarine, having a single white bar running from the middle of the anterior edge to the lower corner. A small part of the cilia at the tips is white, the rest being of the same colour as the wings. Posterior wings of the same colour as the superior, and immaculate, except the cilia, which is entirely white.

Under Side. Palpi black. Neck white. Breast and sides mazarine. The legs black and white. Abdomen orange, ringed with mazarine. Wings coloured as on the upper side; but next the body of a finer and stronger blue. The white part of the tips is also stronger and more distinct. The margins of all the wings are entire.

PLATE VI.

BOTYS (DESMIA?) SERICEA.

Plate [VI]. fig. 1.

Order: Lepidoptera. Section: Nocturna. Family: Pyralidæ.

Genus. Botys, Latr. Subgenus: Desmia? Westw. in Guer. Mag. d'Ent.

Botys (Desmia?) Sericea. Alis sericeis viridi-margaritaceis, anticarum margine antico luteo. (Expans. Alar. 2 unc. 3 lin.)

Syn. Phalæna (Pyralis) Sericea, Drury, App. vol. 2.

Habitat: Gold Coast of Africa.

Upper Side. Head light green. Eyes black. Antennæ thread-like, and very long; appearing at the middle as if they had been broken, and had branched out again to their proper length. Thorax and abdomen light green. Tail dark brown. Wings fine light green, almost transparent, and resembling mother of pearl. Anterior edges of the anterior wings pale orange-coloured.

Under Side. Palpi, neck, breast, abdomen, and legs light green; except the anterior tibiæ, which are pale orange. Tail dark brown. Wings of the same colour as on the upper side, immaculate. Wings entire.

The curious structure of the antennæ of this insect (which is, doubtless, peculiar to the males alone) is very similar to that of Desmia maculalis, (Westw. in Mag. Zool.) but the larger size, pearly wings, and different quarters of the globe in which these two species are found, make it doubtful whether the two insects belong strictly to the same subgenus. It is evidently nearly allied to the British genus Margaritia. Mr. Smeathman informed Drury that this is one of the Phalænæ which fly during the day. A little noise or rustling disturbs it, when it takes rapid flights of twenty or thirty yards, hiding itself with great ingenuity, which makes it difficult to catch.

SATURNIA CYNTHIA.

Plate [VI]. fig. 2.

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

Genus. Saturnia, Schrank. Attacus, Germar. Bombyx p. Fabr.

Saturnia Cynthia. Alis falcatis luteo-fuscis, fasciâ communi albidâ strigâ basali lunulâque discoidali; anticis ocello parvo apicali. (Expans. Alar. 5 unc. 3 lin.)

Syn. Phalæna (Attacus) Cynthia, Drury, App. vol. 2. Oliv. Enc. Méth. 5. 30. 26.

Habitat: China.

Upper Side. Head greyish brown. Antennæ strongly pectinated. Thorax and abdomen greyish. Anterior wings with a bar rising near the middle of the anterior margin, continued along the posterior wings parallel with the external edges, and ending near the abdominal corners; the inner part forming an equilateral triangle. The outer part of this triangle is ash colour, the inner part pale brownish grey, but darker than the rest of the wings. The tips of the superior wings are adorned with a small eye, the lower part of which is black, and the upper part white; from whence a faint white serpentine line runs to the very extremity of the wing. The spaces between the ash colour mentioned above, and the external edges of all the wings, are filled up with light brownish grey, appearing as if powdered thinly with black dust. A small narrow black line runs along the external edges of all the wings, which, beginning at the abdominal corners and ending at the tips, appears as if broken or interrupted just below the eyes. A narrow ash-coloured bar begins on the posterior edges next the shoulders of the superior wings, which, running towards the tips, suddenly turns off, and ends on the anterior edges about half an inch from the shoulders. On the middle of the posterior wings is an ash-coloured crescent, verged at top with black; and about a quarter of an inch above this is another crescent, larger and much fainter, running from the anterior to the abdominal edge, and ending at the extremity of the body.

Under Side. All the parts on this side are nearly of the same colour as on the upper, but not quite so distinct and bright. The angular bar on the anterior wings next the shoulders, and the faint crescent on the posterior, not being discernible. The margins of all the wings are entire; the superior ones being hooked at their tips.

From Dr. Roxburgh's interesting memoir upon the silk-producing moths of the East Indies,[^[1]] it appears that this species is named the Arundi or Arrindy silk-worm, the caterpillars feeding upon the Arrindi, Ricinus, or Palma Christi. It is capable of being reared in the same way as the common silk-worm, the eggs are hatched in about ten or fifteen days; in about a month the caterpillars attain their full size, during which period they cast their skins three or four times. The caterpillar is from two and a half to three inches in length, each segment being furnished with several small soft conical tubercles, the prevailing colour being pale green. In this state they are very voracious, devouring daily many times their own weight of food. The cocoons are white or yellowish, of a very soft and delicate texture; in general about two or three inches in length, and three in circumference, and pointed at both ends. In this cocoon the chrysalis remains from ten to twenty days, the moth appearing at one end, the period of its final state not extending beyond from four to eight days. The moths are quiet, seldom attempting to fly from the apartment in which they are reared. The silk is so exceedingly delicate and flossy, that it is impracticable to wind it off; it is, therefore, spun like cotton, and the thread thus manufactured is woven into a coarse kind of white cloth, of a loose texture, but of surprising durability, the life of one person seldom being sufficient to wear out a garment made from it, the same piece descending from mother to daughter. It is used not only for clothing, but also for packing light clothes, &c. Some manufacturers in England to whom it was shewn seemed to think that it could be made here into shawls equal to any received from India.

DEIOPEIA ASTREA.

Plate [VI]. fig. 3.

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

Genus. Deiopeia, Steph. Phalæna (Noctua), Drury.

Deiopeia Astrea. Alis fulvis; anticis fasciis septem albidis nigro-punctatis, posticis fulvis nigro-punctatis. (Expans. Alar. 1 unc. 7 lin.)

Syn. Phalæna (Noctua) Astrea, Drury, App. vol. 2. Oliv. Enc. Méth. 8. 261. (Noctua A.)

Phalæna (Bomb.) Pylotis? Fabr. Ent. Syst. III. 1. 479. Gmel. Linn. S. N. 2440. 575.

Phal. Geometra cribrata, Gmel. Linn. S. N. 2482. 751.

Habitat: The Gold Coast, Africa.

Upper Side. Head deep yellow. Antennæ filiform, dark brown. Neck and thorax yellow, with two small black spots on the former, and four on the latter. Abdomen yellow. Wings deep yellow; the anterior being nearly orange-coloured, and having several rows of small black spots crossing them from the anterior to the posterior edges, most of which are very irregular and uneven; the two last next the external edges being the least so. The number of spots on each of these wings is forty. Posterior wings with black spots, but much larger than those on the anterior, except three, which run along the external edges; the whole number being eleven.

Under Side. Palpi yellow, tipped with black. Tongue spiral. Legs, breast, and abdomen yellow, the last spotted with black. Wings deep yellow. The anterior spotted with forty black spots, larger and stronger than on the upper side. Posterior wings also spotted as on the upper side. Edges of all the wings entire.

CALLIMORPHA? GLAUCOPIS.

Plate [VI]. fig. 4.

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

Genus. Callimorpha? Latr. Zygæna p. Fabr. Phalæna (Bombyx), Drury.

Callimorpha? Glaucopis. Collari sanguineo, alis nigricantibus, anticis fasciâ obliquâ niveâ. (Expans. Alar. 2 unc. 3 lin.)

Syn. Phalæna (Bombyx Spiriling.) Glaucopis, Drury, App. vol. 2. Cramer, tab. 322. f. D. Zygæna Glaucopis, Fabr. Ent. Syst. III. 1. p. 400. No. 47. Gmel. Linn. S. N. 2397. 140. (Sphinx.)

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

Upper Side. Head black. Antennæ black, and very large and deeply pectinated. Neck fine scarlet. Thorax and abdomen black, tinged with mazarine. Wings black, immaculate; except the anterior, whereon is a white bar, beginning near the middle of the anterior edge, crossing the wing, and ending at the lower corners.

Under Side. Palpi small and black. Tongue spiral. Breast mazarine, intermingled with black. Legs long and black. Thighs mazarine. Abdomen black, tinged with mazarine. Wings coloured as on the upper side. Edges entire.

PLATE VII.

IDÆA LYNCEA.

Plate [VII]. fig. 1.

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

Genus. Idæa, Fabr. God. Papilio (Dan. Fest. or Eq. Hel.), Drury.

Idæa Lyncea. Alis elongatis integerrimis cinerascentibus, venis maculisque permultis nigris; anticis subfalcatis. (Expans. Alar. 6 unc. 9 lin.)

Syn. Papilio Lynceus, Drury, App. vol. 2.

Papilio Idea, Stoll. Suppl. Cramer, pl. 42. f. 1.

Idea Lyncea, Enc. Méth. ix. p. 195.

Habitat: The Island of Johanna, near Madagascar.

Upper Side. Antennæ black and subfiliform. Head, neck, and thorax black, spotted, and streaked with white. Abdomen black. Wings almost transparent, and of a glassy hue, much resembling common glass; having a great number of black spots like velvet on them of different shapes and sizes, some being round, some oblong, and others like streaks; there being on each of the anterior wings twenty-eight distinct ones, besides those placed next the anterior edges, which are not easily ascertained, from their running into one another. Posterior wings with thirty-three distinct spots like those on the anterior, whereof some appear double.

Under Side. Palpi white. Tongue black, and spiral. Breast, sides, and legs streaked with black and white. Abdomen white. Wings coloured as on the upper side. Margins of the wings entire.

The Linnæan specific name of the type of the present genus was Papilio Idea, a name admirably expressive of the delicate transparent structure of these butterflies. As several closely-allied species were discovered in addition to the original type, all partaking of the same appearance, Fabricius transposed the original specific name into that of the genus; a new specific name, Agelia, being given to the original species, which is beautifully figured by Donovan, in his Insects of India, Pl. 24, and is by him considered identical with the insect figured by Drury. I have adopted the opinion of the authors of the Encyclopédie Méthodique, who consider the two insects as distinct.

ACRÆA CAMŒNA.

Plate [VII]. fig. 2.

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

Genus. Acræa, Fabr. Latr. God. Papilio (Helicon.), Fabr. &c.

Acræa Camœna. Alis oblongis fuscis, posticis basi nigro-punctatis ad extimum fasciâ flavescente transversâ extus nigro-marginatâ. (Expans. Alar. 2 unc. 9 lin.)

Syn. Papilio (Eq. Helic.) Camœna, Drury, App. vol. 2. Herbst. Pap. t. 81. f. 3. Fabr. Ent. Syst. III. 1. p. 173. No. 539. Enc. Méth. ix. p. 234. (Acræa C.)

Habitat: Cape Coast, Africa.

Upper Side. Antennæ black. Neck, thorax, and abdomen black, spotted with white. Anterior wings dark snuff colour, immaculate. About two-thirds of the posterior wings (upwards) also snuff-coloured, having some faint black spots thereon, seen more distinctly on the other side; beneath this is a yellow clay-coloured bar, running from the abdominal corner and ending near the external edge by the upper corner; below this bar is a black indented margin running along the external edge, with some small faint spots thereon, which are much stronger on the other side. Abdominal groove clay-coloured; and on each wing next the shoulders is a small triangular clay spot.

Under Side. Palpi clay-coloured. Breast and sides black, with white spots. Anterior wings coloured as on the upper side. Posterior wings clay-coloured, with twelve black distinct spots, two near the upper corners being small and round. These wings next the breast are black, with some white spots thereon; and along the external edges is a black indented margin, with eight small white spots on it, two of which next the abdominal corners are joined together. Margins of the wings entire.

HELICONIA DIAPHANA.

Plate [VII]. fig. 3.

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

Genus. Heliconia, Fabr. Latr. God. Papilio (Eq. Helicon.), Drury, &c.

Heliconia Diaphana. Alis oblongis integerrimis hyalinis, margine omni fasciâque transversâ abbreviatâ anticarum fusco-nigris, posticis subtus costâ baseos sulphureâ. (Expans. Alar. 2 unc. 3 lin.)

Syn. Papilio (Eq. Helic.) Diaphanus, Drury, App. vol. 2. Cramer, pl. 231. C. and pl. 315. D. E. Fabr. Ent. Syst. III. 1. p. 184. No. 570.

Habitat: Jamaica, Brazil to Virginia (Enc. Méth.).

Upper Side. Antennæ black, and very long. Thorax and abdomen dark brown. Wings transparent, vitreous. Anterior ones with the posterior edges bending as it were inwards. A small narrow border of dark brown runs entirely round the edges of these wings; and on the anterior edges, about a third from the tips, runs a dark brown streak towards the middle of the wing, close to which is a small white spot joining to the anterior edge. Posterior wings having also a very narrow border running about two-thirds round them, and stopping at the abdominal edges; some long yellowish hairs are placed on the anterior edges near the body.

Under Side. Palpi, breast, sides, ash-coloured. The dark brown borders surrounding the wings appear on this side of an orange brown colour; the rest as on the upper side. Margins of the wings entire.

PLATE VIII.

NYMPHALIS SALMACIS.

Plate [VIII]. fig. 1, 2.

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

Genus. Nymphalis, Latr. God. Papilio (Nymphalis Phal.), Drury, &c.

Nymphalis Salmacis. Alis dentatis, supra nigris disco cœruleo-radiatis, subtus fuscis; fasciâ strigâque maculari albidis (♀). (Expans. Alar. 4 unc. 3 lin.)

Syn. Papilio (Nymph. Ph.) Salmacis, Drury, App. vol. 2. Herbst. tab. 166. f. 5. 6. Fabr. Ent. Syst. III. 1. p. 132. No. 408.

Papilio Omphale, Stoll. Suppl. Cram. pl. 26. f. 1. 1. A.

Habitat: Sierra Leone (Drury). Amboina (Stoll.).

Upper Side. Antennae black. Neck spotted with grey. Thorax and abdomen black. Anterior wings next the body black brown, but at the tips russet, or dark hair-coloured; about a quarter of an inch from thence are two small white spots placed on each wing, near the anterior margin; near the middle is a short white bar, crossed by the black nerves of the wing, whose under part joins to a patch of blue which runs to the posterior margin. Posterior wings next the body black brown, but along the external edges a little lighter. A white bar on each rises at the abdominal groove, and runs to the middle of the wing towards the anterior edge, being margined with blue which seems to shoot in rays; a row of twelve small white spots runs along the external edge in pairs.

Under Side. Palpi, neck, and breast black brown, spotted with white. Anterior wings russet, darkest next the body; the white spots and bar being very plain on this side, with the addition of a row of white spots running half way along the external edges. Posterior wings russet, with the same marks and spots as on the other side, but rather of a pearl colour. Margins of the wings dentated, the indentings being white.

PIERIS PASITHOE.

Plate [VIII]. fig. 3, 4.

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

Genus. Pieris, Schrank. Latr. God. Boisduval. Pontia p. Ochs. Papilio (Dan. Cand. or Heliconii), Linn. Drury, &c.

Pieris Pasithoe. Alis suboblongis nigris, suprà cœrulescenti-albo-maculatis, posticis subtùs disco flavo, nigro venoso, fasciâque baseos ferrugineâ incurvâ. (Expans. Alar. 3 unc. 6 lin.)

Syn. Papilio (Helicon.) Pasithoe, Linn. Syst. Nat. 2. 755. No. 53. Fabr. Ent. Syst. III. 1. p. 179.

Papilio (Dan. Cand.) Dione, Drury, App. vol. 2.

Papilio Porsenna, Cramer, pl. 43. fig. D. E. & pl. 352. fig. A. B.