Foreign Butterflies
James Duncan
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60 chapters
MEMOIR OF LAMARCK.
MEMOIR OF LAMARCK.
Among the many eminent French naturalists, whose loss to science we have so often had occasion to lament during the few past years, the above individual occupied a conspicuous place. He was long known in Paris by his public prelections, and his numerous writings have procured for him a high degree of reputation throughout Europe. In this country he is best known by his admirable works on invertebrate animals, which may be said to have formed a new era in the history of that extensive department
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INTRODUCTION.
INTRODUCTION.
Having already discussed the general history of butterflies at considerable length, in a volume devoted to the illustration of the kinds found in Britain, it is not our intention to resume the subject in this place, further than to make a few remarks on certain peculiarities presented by many foreign species, a selection from which forms the subject of the present volume. The remarkable superiority in size and beauty of most tropical productions over those of temperate regions, is scarcely more
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ORNITHOPTERA PRIAMUS. PLATE 1. Fig. 1.
ORNITHOPTERA PRIAMUS. PLATE 1. Fig. 1.
Boisd. Species gener. des Lepidop. , 173.—Papilio Priamus, Linn. Latr. Godart, Cramer ; Papillons exotiques , 23, A, B; Donovan’s Insects of India , Pl. 3. Female, Pap. Panthous, Linn. ; Cramer , 123, A, and 124, A; Don. Ins. of India , Pl. 2. Such a remarkable discrepancy exists in the appearance of the sexes, that they were always regarded as separate species till lately, when their proper relationship to each other happened to be ascertained. The anterior wings of the male are deep velvety bl
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ORNITHOPTERA REMUS. PLATE 1. Fig. 2.
ORNITHOPTERA REMUS. PLATE 1. Fig. 2.
Pap. Remus, Fabr. Godart , Cramer , 135, A, 136, A, and 386, A, B.—Pap. hypolithus, var. Cramer , 10, A, B, 11, A, B. One of the largest species, the expansion of the wings sometimes measuring nearly eight inches. The superior pair are black, with a slight greenish reflection, and having a broad greyish-white stripe running along each side of the secondary nervures. The inferior wings are dark grey on the surface, and of a shining white on the under side, the latter having a black sinuated borde
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PAPILIO MEMNON. PLATE II. Fig. 1.
PAPILIO MEMNON. PLATE II. Fig. 1.
Linn. Fabr. Cramer , 91, C.—Papilio Agenor, Linn. Fabr. Cramer , 32, A, B. The upper wings in this species expand about five inches; they are blackish and marked with numerous longitudinal rays of a greyish-ash colour, each of them having a large blood-red or ochrey-yellow triangular patch at the base. The inferior wings are waved on the hinder margin, and narrowly edged with white in the emarginations, the disk almost entirely occupied by a broad white band divided by the dark nervures, the hin
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PAPILIO ÆNEAS. PLATE II. Fig. 2.
PAPILIO ÆNEAS. PLATE II. Fig. 2.
Linn., Fabr., Cramer , Pl. 279, Figs. A, B, C, D.— Rösel Insect. vol. iv. Pl. 2, Fig. 2.— Godart, Encyclop. No. 24.— Boisduval, Spec. gener. 286, No. 112. We have figured this insect as characteristic of a pretty extensive group of butterflies inhabiting South America, distinguished by a peculiar outline, and a certain similarity of design in the markings. The space between the tips of the anterior wings always exceeds by more than one half the space between the anterior edge of these wings and
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PAPILIO ASCANIUS. PLATE III. Fig. 1.
PAPILIO ASCANIUS. PLATE III. Fig. 1.
Fabr. Drury’s Exot. Insects , iii. Pl. ix. fig. 1; Cramer , Pl. xiv. fig. A. This insect may be regarded as the type of another South American group, somewhat allied to the preceding in general appearance, and in the distribution of colours, but presenting at the same time considerable differences. The length of the hinder wings is proportionally much greater, and each of them has a pretty long spatula-shaped tail. In the species figured, the wings are deep-black above, inclining to brown on the
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PAPILIO PARIS. PLATE III. Fig. 2.
PAPILIO PARIS. PLATE III. Fig. 2.
Linn. Fabr. Drury’s Ins. Pl. xii. fig. 1; Cramer , Pl. 103, A, B; Boisd. Spec. gen. p. 208. P. Ulysses , Perianthus , Bianor , Polyctor (Boisd.), Blumer (Boisd.), Crino , Palinurus , Paris , and Arjuna , form a very natural group of butterflies, distributed over the eastern parts of the continent of Asia, and the islands of the Indian Archipelago. The great breadth of the wings and tail, combined with the general darkness of their colours, give them a somewhat heavy appearance, but this is often
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PAP. PROTESILAUS. PLATE IV. Fig. 1.
PAP. PROTESILAUS. PLATE IV. Fig. 1.
Linn. Fabr. Cramer , Pl. 202, fig. A, B; Merian’s Insec. Surin. Pl. 43. The two insects delineated on the adjoining plate exemplify a form which prevails among a pretty extensive group of the genus Papilio , and which is familiar to European entomologists as represented in a very characteristic manner by the beautiful P. Podalirius . The prolongation of the hinder wings into a long narrow tail is the most striking feature, and has caused them to be termed swallow tails. The ground colour is for
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PAPILIO SINON. PLATE IV. Fig. 2.
PAPILIO SINON. PLATE IV. Fig. 2.
Fabr. Cramer , Pl. 317, fig. C, D, E, F.— Herbst. Pap. Pl. 44, fig. 5, 6.—Pap. Protesilaus, Drury , vol. i. Pl. 22, fig. 3, 4. Considerably less than the preceding, the space between the tips of the wings seldom exceeding three inches; wings black, with pale coloured bands slightly tinged with green; viz. two towards the base, extending across both wings, the third very slender and short, the fourth forming a pretty broad central stripe bifid anteriorly, and terminating in a point near the middl
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LEPTOCIRCUS CURIUS. PLATE V. Fig. 1.
LEPTOCIRCUS CURIUS. PLATE V. Fig. 1.
Swainson’s Zoolog. Illus. 2d series, Pl. 106.— Boisduv. Spec. gener. 380.—Pap. Curius, Fabr. — Donov. Insects of India. —Erycina Curius, Godart, Ency. Meth. This genus was first proposed by Mr. Swainson for the reception of a remarkable insect from Siam and Java, to which various situations had been assigned by different naturalists. In external aspect it has all the appearance of an Erycina , but, on examining the disposition of the nervures of the wings, the form of the palpi and antennæ, toge
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THAIS MEDESICASTE. PLATE V. Fig. 2.
THAIS MEDESICASTE. PLATE V. Fig. 2.
Godart’s Pap. de France , ii. Pl. 3, fig. 3, 4.—Pap. Medesicaste, Hubn. Pap. 124, fig. 632.—Pap. Rumina, Hubn. Pl. 394, 395.—Thais Honnoratii, Boisd. Icon. Pl. 3, fig. 3-5, var. The genus Thais is confined to the southern countries of Europe, the north of Africa, and Asia Minor. All the species are of moderate size, and may at once be known by the peculiar design of the colouring of the wings, which are always yellow spotted with red and black, and bordered externally with a dark festooned line.
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PIERIS EPICHARIS. PLATE VI. Figs. 1 and 2.
PIERIS EPICHARIS. PLATE VI. Figs. 1 and 2.
Godart, Boisd. —Pap. Hyparete, Fabr. —Pap. Eucharis, Drury’s Insect. Pl. 10, fig. 5, 6.— Cramer , Pl. 201, fig. B, C ♂; Pl. 202, fig. C ♀. This pretty insect belongs to a sub-division which inhabits the continent of India and the adjacent islands. The wings, which expand about three inches, are white, very faintly tinged with blue, with a broad black border, interrupted by a series of rather larger oval spots, the same as the ground colour on the upper wings, but flesh-colour on the under; the n
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PIERIS PHILYRA. PLATE VI. Fig. 3.
PIERIS PHILYRA. PLATE VI. Fig. 3.
Godart, Boisd. —Pap. Hyparete, Cramer , Pl. 210, fig. A, B, and Pl. 339, fig. E, F. The figure above referred to represents the under side of the female of this handsome species. The male is of a bluish-white above, surrounded with a black external margin, and having a black patch on the tip of the anterior wings, divided by an arched row of white oval spots; the female nearly black above, the inner half of the wings dull white, the apex with white oval spots: on the under side both sexes are bl
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PIERIS BELISAMA. PLATE VII. Fig. 1.
PIERIS BELISAMA. PLATE VII. Fig. 1.
Godart, Boisd. —Pap. Belisama, Cramer , Pl. 258, fig. A, B, C, D. P. Belisama is another of these handsome and warmly tinted species which abound in Eastern Asia and the adjacent islands. It is generally about a third larger than our common cabbage butterflies, but smaller examples frequently occur; the male yellowish-white above, with the whole of the outer angle and the costa of the anterior wings black; the limb of the hinder pair of the same colour. Female with the greater portion of the upp
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ANTHOCHARIS DANÆ. PLATE VII. Fig. 2.
ANTHOCHARIS DANÆ. PLATE VII. Fig. 2.
Boisd. —Pap. Danæ, Fabr., Donov. Insects of India , Pl. 1, fig. 2.—Pap. Eborea, Cramer , Pl. 352, fig. C, D, E, F.—Pieris Danæ, Godart .—Pontia Danæ, Horsfield, Insects of Ind. Comp. , p. 141, 68. Surface of the male pure white; the upper wings having a large triangular patch of bright carmine at the extremity bounded on the inner side by a black oblique band, and narrowly margined with the same colour externally, where the nervures are likewise black; there is likewise a black point at the extr
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IPHIAS LEUCIPPE. PLATE VII. Fig. 3.
IPHIAS LEUCIPPE. PLATE VII. Fig. 3.
Pap. Leucippe, Fabr. Cramer , Pl. 36, fig. A, B, C.— Donovan, Insects of India. —Pieris Leucippe, Godart . One of the largest of the Pierides , frequently measuring upwards of four inches between the tips of the wings; anterior pair bright fulvous red, clouded at the base with greenish yellow, the nervures and all the exterior parts black, the female with a row of fulvous spots parallel with the external margin, and not far from it; posterior wings citron-yellow, having a dentated or macular bla
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CALLIDRYAS EUBULE. PLATE VIII. Fig. 1.
CALLIDRYAS EUBULE. PLATE VIII. Fig. 1.
Pap. Eubule, Linn. Cramer , Pl. 120, F, C.—Caterpillar, Stoll’s Supp. to Cramer , Pl. 3, fig. 1, A.—Callidryas Eubule, Boisd. Species general , i. 613. This insect so closely resembles C. Marcellina that it is possible they would still have continued to be confounded, as they were by the earlier entomologists, had not the different appearance of the caterpillar indicated their essential distinction. In the male the surface of the wings is a fine citron-yellow, with a narrow border of a deeper hu
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TERIAS MEXICANA. PLATE VIII. Fig. 4.
TERIAS MEXICANA. PLATE VIII. Fig. 4.
Boisd. Spec. gen. p. 655. Pl. iii. C, fig. 1. This insect was discovered not long since in Mexico, and is considered rare. The colour of the surface is very bright citron-yellow, the upper wings with a broad black border externally, which ends in a quadrangular expansion a little before the middle of the internal margin. The under wings have the outer border prolonged into an acute angle, forming a kind of rudimentary tail, and the anterior half is widely bordered with black. The primary wings a
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EUPLŒA LIMNIACE. PLATE IX. Fig. 1.
EUPLŒA LIMNIACE. PLATE IX. Fig. 1.
Danais Limniace, Godart .—Pap. Limniace, Cramer , Pl. 59, fig. D, E.—Pap. Similis, Fabr. Expands nearly four inches; surface of the wings deep black, entirely covered with stripes and spots of shining light green, more or less mixed with white: towards the base of the wings the green colour is arranged in longitudinal stripes, externally in rounded spots, becoming smaller at the hinder margin where they form a regular row. The design on the under side is similar, but the ground colour of the und
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EUPLŒA PLEXIPPE. PLATE IX. Fig. 2.
EUPLŒA PLEXIPPE. PLATE IX. Fig. 2.
Danais Plexippe, Godart .—Pap. Plexippus, Linn., Fabr. —Pap. Genutia, Cramer , Pl. 206, fig. C, D. This insect affords an example of a pretty extensive and beautiful group which is strikingly characterised by the prevalence of a peculiar colour and uniformity of design in the markings. The ground colour is a rich chestnut-brown, varying considerably in the intensity of the shade, the wings widely margined on the outside with black, more or less interrupted with white spots; the black colour some
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IDEA AGELIA. PLATE X. Fig. 1.
IDEA AGELIA. PLATE X. Fig. 1.
Pap. Idea, Linn. Fabr. Cramer , Pl. 193, fig. 1, A, B, and pl. 362, fig. D.— Donovan’s Insects of India. Varying in size from upwards of six inches across the wings to nearly four and a half. The surface is of a greyish white, with the nervures and posterior border black; the latter sinuated internally, and divided by a series of large spots of a whitish colour, and generally an oval shape; between each of the nervures, and beyond the middle of the wing, is a longitudinal black stripe: the prima
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IDEA DAOS. PLATE X. Fig. 2.
IDEA DAOS. PLATE X. Fig. 2.
Boisd. Spec. gen. Pl. 24, fig. 3. This delicate and handsome species is much the smallest, the expansion of the wings not being quite four inches. The ground colour is dusky white, with two remote rows of rounded spots, another at the extremity of the discoidal cell, and several smaller ones on the costa beyond the middle. The abdomen is entirely whitish, the thorax with two connivent black rays on the back and numerous black spots anteriorly: antennæ black. It is said by Dr. Boisduval, to whose
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HELICONIA ERATO. PLATE XI. Fig. 1.
HELICONIA ERATO. PLATE XI. Fig. 1.
Godart. —Pap. Erato, Linn. —Heb. Ricini (Mas.), Fabr. —-Pap. Amathusia, Cramer , Pl. 177, fig. F. Extent of the wings about three inches; the ground colour deep black. Upper wings with three diverging rays of deep red at the base, the inferior one longest and extending rather beyond the middle; not far from the extremity of these rays there is a large discoidal patch of sulphur-yellow, unequally divided into two parts by a black bifurcated nervure; beyond this, near the apex, is a series of cont
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HELICONIA CYNISCA. PLATE XI. Fig. 2.
HELICONIA CYNISCA. PLATE XI. Fig. 2.
Godart. —Pap. Ricini (Fem.), Linn. —H. Erato, Fabr. —Pap. Vesta, Cramer , Pl. 119, fig. A. This species presents a considerable similarity to the preceding, both in size and distribution of colours. The surface is deep black; a large portion at the base of the anterior wings fulvous-red, traversed by three black nervures; near the middle a large spot of sulphur-yellow, and beyond it a circular series of smaller unequal spots of the same colour. The under wings have from five to seven red stripes
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HELICONIA SYLYANA. PLATE XI. Fig. 3.
HELICONIA SYLYANA. PLATE XI. Fig. 3.
Godart. —Pap. Sylvana, Cramer , Pl. 364, C, D.— Herbst., Pap. tab. xvii. fig. 1, 2. This handsome species measures upwards of three inches and a quarter between the tips of the wings; the latter are very much rounded, entire on the edges, and the hinder pair diverge widely from the abdomen; the superior fulvous from the base to the middle, with the costa, a slender streak at the base, and a central kidney-shaped spot, black; beyond this a pretty wide oblique band of sulphur yellow; the space bet
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HELICONIA FLORA. PLATE XII. Figs. 1 and 2.
HELICONIA FLORA. PLATE XII. Figs. 1 and 2.
Godart. —Pap. Flora, Cramer , Pl. 257, fig. B, C The above plate affords examples of that division of the Heliconian butterflies, in which the greater proportion of the wings is denuded of scales and transparent. H. Flora of Cramer very closely resembles H. Ægle (Fabr.), and may possibly prove a mere variety of that species. It expands nearly two inches. The upper wings are black with two transparent bands, that next the base very large, lying parallel with the costa as far as the middle, and th
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HELICONIA DIAPHANA. PLATE XII. Fig. 3.
HELICONIA DIAPHANA. PLATE XII. Fig. 3.
Godart. —Pap. Diaphana, Fabr., Cramer , Pl. 231, fig. C, and Pl. 315, fig. D, E— Drury’s Exot. Insects , ii. Pl. 7, fig. 3. About the size of the preceding, but the wings narrower and wholly transparent, with the outer margin and nervures brownish-black. On the upper wings, rather beyond the middle, there is a black abbreviated transverse band, placed somewhat obliquely, and preceded by a small white spot on the costa. On the under side the marginal band is not so dark as above, and there is fre
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ACRÆA PASIPHÆ. PLATE XII. Fig. 4.
ACRÆA PASIPHÆ. PLATE XII. Fig. 4.
Godart. —Helic. Pasiphæ, Fabr. —Pap. Media, Cramer , Pl. 81, fig. C, D. Surface of the wings white, with a slight tinge of blue, a large space at the base, and the nervures brown; the whole of the middle portion clouded with black spots of various dimensions, and the extremity bordered with a rather wide black band, sinuated on the inner side. The under side is paler and has the marginal band interrupted by a row of small greyish-blue quadrangular spots preceded by a reddish macular line. Body b
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CETHOSIA DIDO. PLATE XIII.
CETHOSIA DIDO. PLATE XIII.
Ceth. Dido. Fabr. —Pap. Dido, Linn. — Marian’s Surin. Insects , Pl. 2, (with Caterpillar).— Cramer , Pl. 196, fig. E, F. This species expands about four inches; the ground colour of the surface is black, variously interrupted with stripes and patches of green. On the upper wings a longitudinal stripe of that colour extends from the base to the extremity of the discoidal cell; beyond which there is a transverse series of large contiguous spots, and two or three small insulated ones. The inferior
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CETHOSIA CYANE. PLATE XIV.
CETHOSIA CYANE. PLATE XIV.
Pap. Cyane, Linn. —Cethosia Cyane, Fabr. Godart. —Pap. Cyane, Drury , i pl. 4, fig. 1. var. Extent of the wings nearly four inches, the length not much exceeding the breadth, the whole external margin deeply dentated and the notches margined with white. Upper wings fulvous towards the base and spotted with black; the external half brownish-black, traversed by an oblique white band, having two rounded black spots at its lower extremity; behind this are a few white marks in the shape of a horse-sh
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VANESSA JULIANA. PLATE XV. Fig. 1.
VANESSA JULIANA. PLATE XV. Fig. 1.
Sodart. —Pap. N. Juliana, Fabr. —Pap. Juliana, Cramer , Pl. 280, fig. A, B.— Herbst. Pap. Pl. 220, fig. 1, 2. It is the largest of the Vanessæ, measuring nearly five inches across the upper wings. The surface is dull brown, with a broad common transverse band of greenish white, placed between the middle and the external margin of the wings. On the upper wings this band is composed of a double series of spots, the interior ones small and crescent-shaped, the exterior large and oval with a large b
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VANESSA AMATHEA. PLATE XV. Fig. 2.
VANESSA AMATHEA. PLATE XV. Fig. 2.
Pap. N. Amathea, Linn. Fabr. —Pap. Amalthea, Cramer , Pl. 209, fig. A, B. The surface of the wings in this pretty insect is dark brown approaching to black, with a broad band of deep red running across the centre of both wings, but scarcely reaching the anal angle, and bifid at its anterior extremity: beyond this on the anterior wings are two transverse rows of small white spots, both of them irregular; and on the hinder pair a single row-of similar spots: the notches on the margins of the wings
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VANESSA ORITHYA. PLATE XV. Fig. 3.
VANESSA ORITHYA. PLATE XV. Fig. 3.
Godart. —Pap. N. Orithya, Linn. Fabr. — Roesel’s Beslust. Insect. vol. iv. pl. 6, fig. 2.—Pap. Orithya, Cramer , Pl. 19, fig. C, D; Pl. 32, fig. E, F; Pl. 281, fig. E, F: Pl. 209, fig. A, B, C, D. This very elegant species, which is a native of China and the island of Java, is subject to much variation in its colour and markings. In its most ordinary state the colour of the surface is velvet-black in the male and dark brown in the female, with two large ocelli on each wing having a violet-blue p
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CHARAXES JASIUS. PLATE XVI.
CHARAXES JASIUS. PLATE XVI.
Ochsenheimer. —Pap. Jason, Linn. —Pap. Jasius, Fabr. —Esper. cater, and chrys.—Drury’s Insects, i. Pl. 1. fig. 1.—Pap. Jason. Cramer , Pl. 339, A, B.—Nymph. Jasius, Godart , Latreille . The genus Charaxes was separated from Nymphalis by Ochsenheimer for the reception of this butterfly, which may be regarded as the most beautiful inhabiting Europe. It varies in the expansion of the wings from three to four inches; the surface a rich silky brown, changing slightly with the light. Along the hinder
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NYMPHALIS ETHEOCLES. PLATE XVII. Fig. 1.
NYMPHALIS ETHEOCLES. PLATE XVII. Fig. 1.
Pap. Etheocles, Fabr. — Cramer , Pl. 119, fig. D, E.—Nymph. Etheocles, Godart . This and the following species present an outline very similar to that of C. Jasius , and they might even, without much impropriety, he referred to the same genus; but, as there are several points of difference, and as we are yet unacquainted with the caterpillars, it may he preferable in the mean time to allow them to remain in the situation they occupied in Latreille’s arrangement. N. Etheocles is a native of Afric
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NYMPHALIS TIRIDATES. PLATE XVII. Fig. 2 and 3.
NYMPHALIS TIRIDATES. PLATE XVII. Fig. 2 and 3.
Pap. Tiridates, Fabr. Cramer , Pl. 161, fig. A, B; Drury’s Insects , iii. Pl. 23, fig. 1, 2; Donov. Insects of India , Part iii. Pl. 2, fig. 3. Extent of the wings nearly four inches, the surface very dark blue approaching to black, the nervures brown; beyond the middle are two transverse rows of small round spots of pale blue, and along the hinder margin a series of small dull yellow crescents. The ground colour beneath is brownish-grey, somewhat glossy; the superior wings having a few transver
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PERIDROMIA ARETHUSA. PLATE XVIII. Fig. 1, Fem.
PERIDROMIA ARETHUSA. PLATE XVIII. Fig. 1, Fem.
This genus has lately been proposed for the reception of a few species formerly classed among the Nymphales . They are remarkable for having the surface covered with blue markings on a dark ground, and in other respects seem to be entitled to generic distinction. The neuration of the wings presents the annexed arrangement.—The caterpillar (at least of P. Amphinome ) bears some resemblance to that of Morpho . It is long and attenuated behind, the anal extremity deeply forked, and the head armed w
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PERIDROMIA AMPHINOME. PLATE XVIII. Fig. 2.
PERIDROMIA AMPHINOME. PLATE XVIII. Fig. 2.
Pap. Amphinome, Linn. Cramer , Pl. 54, fig. E, F.— Roesel’s Ins. i, Pl. 10, fig. 1, 2; Merian, Ins. Surin. Pl. 8.—Le Papier Marbré de la Chine, Daubenton , Pl. enl. 92, fig. 7, 8. Bears considerable resemblance to the preceding on the upper side, the ground colour being glossy black, the whole surface variegated with waved streaks and spots of greenish-blue; these markings frequently assume the appearance of hieroglyphics, and towards the hinder margin of the inferior wings they indistinctly rep
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MARIUS THETIS. PLATE XIX. Fig. 134.
MARIUS THETIS. PLATE XIX. Fig. 134.
Pap. Thetis, Fabr. —Nymph. Thetis, Godart .—Pap. Petreus, Cramer , Pl. 87, fig. D, E; Stoll’s Supp. Pl. 2, fig. 2, A, (caterpillar), fig. 2, B, (chrysalis); Swainson’s Zool. Illus. Pls. 59 and 110. This singular looking insect is distinguished generically by the peculiar shape of the wings, and the equally remarkable appearance of the caterpillar. Of the former the posterior edge of the primary pair is concave, and the apex is distinctly truncated; the same edge of the secondary wings has two lo
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FABIUS HIPPONA. PLATE XIX. Fig. 2.
FABIUS HIPPONA. PLATE XIX. Fig. 2.
Pap. Hippona, Fabr. , Donovan, Insects of India .—Pap. Fabius, Drury’s Ins. iii. Pl. 16, fig. 1, 2; Cramer , Pl. 90, fig. C, D; Stoll’s Supp. (caterpillar and chrysalis.) This species presents another remarkable form, bearing some analogy to the preceding, but at once distinguished by having only one tail. The hinder margin of the superior wings is dilated, in the middle, into an acute angle; the same margin of the hinder pair is cut in a square form towards the anal angle, and is furnished with
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CATAGRAMMA CONDOMANUS. PLATE XX. Figs. 1 and 2.
CATAGRAMMA CONDOMANUS. PLATE XX. Figs. 1 and 2.
Pap. Astarte, Cramer , Pl. 256, fig. C, D—Nymph. Condomanus, Godart .—Catagramma Condomanus, Boisd. This genus includes a pretty group of Nymphalidæ , which are mostly of small size, and marked with annular lines of bright colours on the under side of the inferior wings. They are pretty closely allied to Hipparchia , but are natives of the new world. The wings are ample, and all of them rounded on the posterior edges. In the species referred to, the colour of the surface is black, glossed with v
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CATAGRAMMA PYRAMUS. PLATE XX. Figs. 3 and 4.
CATAGRAMMA PYRAMUS. PLATE XX. Figs. 3 and 4.
Pap. Pyramus, Drury’s Insects , iii. Pl. 23, fig. 3, 4, (Male); Stoll’s Supp. Pl. 32, fig. 3, and 3 C. This prettily coloured butterfly measures about an inch and three-quarters between the tips of the wings. The surface is black, finely tinged with violet, with a broad central common band of bright red, not extending either to the costa or hinder extremity. The under side of the upper wings nearly corresponds to the surface, but they are grey at the base and tip, and near the latter there is an
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MORPHO HELENOR. PLATE XXI.
MORPHO HELENOR. PLATE XXI.
Godart. —Pap. Helenor, Cramer , Pl. 86, fig. A, B; Herbst. Pap. Pl. 26, fig. 1, 2; Esper. Papillon’s Exotiques , Pl. 42, fig. 2. This affords an example of that section of the genus in which the upper wings are more or less concave on the outer margin, and the inferior pair without any prolongation behind. They are almost exclusively South American. M. Helenor expands from four to five inches; surface black, with a broad band of silvery blue or violet blue, extending from the middle of the anter
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MORPHO ADONIS. PLATE XXII. Fig. 1.
MORPHO ADONIS. PLATE XXII. Fig. 1.
Godart. —Pap. Adonis, Cramer , Pl. 61. fig. A, B; Herbst. Pap. Pl. 26, fig. 3, 4; Esper. Pap. Exotiques , Pl. 55, fig. 2. As a specimen of that division of Morpho which has the upper wings scarcely or not at all concave on their outer edge, and the anal angle of the under pair prolonged into an obtuse rudimentary tail, we have represented a species of great beauty although inferior in size to many of its congeners, the expansion of the wings seldom exceeding three inches and a half. The surface
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PAVONIA TEUCER. PLATE XXII. Fig. 2.
PAVONIA TEUCER. PLATE XXII. Fig. 2.
Pap. Teucer, Linn. — Merian, Surinam Ins. Pl. 23; Cramer , Pl. 51, fig. A, B. Extent of the wings from five to six inches; the surface of the primary pair of a livid hue at the base and dark brown at the extremity, the latter colour traversed by a yellow flexuose line near the middle of the secondary wings, slate-blue anteriorly, and black behind. On the under side the wings are very richly mottled, the ground colour being light brown, variegated with numerous undulating black lines, the anterio
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ARPIDEA CHORINÆA. PLATE XXIII.
ARPIDEA CHORINÆA. PLATE XXIII.
Pap. Chorinæus, Fabr. —Pap. Arcesilaus, Cramer , Pl. 294, fig. A, B (male), fig. C, D (fem.); Stoll’s Supp. Pl. 6, fig. 1 (caterpillar), fig. 1, A (chrysalis)—Satyrus Chorinæus, Godart . Finding it impossible to include this insect, owing to its remarkable form, in any of the genera hitherto proposed, we have been under the necessity of assigning it a new name. Many of its characters seem to be quite peculiar both in the perfect and preparatory states. The species which makes the nearest approac
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HELICOPIS GNIDUS36. PLATE XXIV. Figs. 1 and 2, Fem.
HELICOPIS GNIDUS36. PLATE XXIV. Figs. 1 and 2, Fem.
Hesperia Gnidus, Fabr. —Pap. Endymion, Cramer , Pl. 224, C, D, (Male,) E, F, (Fem).—Erycina Gnidus, Godart ; Stoll’s Supp. Pl. 4, fig. 5, A, (Cater), 5, B, (Chrysalis). The genus Helicopis was proposed by Fabricius in his Systema Glossatarum , and he refers to the species above mentioned as one of its typical forms. Although its characters are sufficiently distinctive, it was long confounded with other groups to which it has little relation. It belongs to that section of the diurnal lepidoptera
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ERYCINA OCTAVIUS. PLATE XXIV. Fig. 3.
ERYCINA OCTAVIUS. PLATE XXIV. Fig. 3.
Pap. Octavius, Fabr. Mant. —Pap. Faunus, Fabr. Species .—Pap. Chorineus, Cramer , Pl. 59, fig. A. As the above genus at present stands, it contains many insects which have but little affinity to each other, as may be seen by comparing the present figure with that on the following plate, both of which have been usually assigned a place in it. If we have not altered this arrangement, it is not because we do not regard it as improper, but from a reluctance to introduce many partial changes, in a pl
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ERYCINA MELIBÆUS. PLATE XXV. Figs. 1 and 2.
ERYCINA MELIBÆUS. PLATE XXV. Figs. 1 and 2.
Pap. E. A. Melibæus, Fabr. — Herbst. Pap. Pl. 59, fig. 4, 5.—Pap. Pyretus, Cramer , Pl. 144, fig. A, B. This beautiful insect belongs to that division of Erycina which has opaque wings, and a short obtuse tail to the hinder pair. It is about two inches in extent of wing. The surface is uniform dark brown, with a bright red oblique band running across the middle of both wings, and a large crescent of the same colour near the origin of the tail. On the inner side of the upper wings there is the ap
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LOXURA ALCIDES. PLATE XXV. Fig. 3.
LOXURA ALCIDES. PLATE XXV. Fig. 3.
Pap. P. R. Alcides, Fabr. Mant. —Hesperia, R. Alcides, Fabr. Syst. —Pap. Alcides, Cramer , Pl. 96, fig. D, E.—Myrina Alcides, Godart . Loxura includes a few species formerly referred to Myrina , and, like the latter, is distinguished from the allied genera by the extraordinary length of the palpi which rise conspicuously above the head, and are, in fact, nearly half the length of the antennæ. The wings are entire on the edges, and the hinder pair are prolonged each into a single tail, placed obl
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POLYOMMATUS MARSYAS. PLATE XXVI. Figs. 1 and 2, Male.
POLYOMMATUS MARSYAS. PLATE XXVI. Figs. 1 and 2, Male.
Pap. Marsyas, Linn. Fair. Herbst. Pap. Pl. 296, fig. 1, 2; Cramer , Pl. 332, fig. A, B.—Polyommatus Marsyas, Godart . Notwithstanding the numerous groups which have been recently withdrawn from this genus, it still includes a great variety of modifications of form which would amply justify further subdivision. Even the few examples which have been selected for illustration might afford the types of more than one group; but, for the reasons already mentioned, we prefer presenting them according t
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POLYOMMATUS ENDYMION. PLATE XXVI. Figs. 3, 4, Fem.
POLYOMMATUS ENDYMION. PLATE XXVI. Figs. 3, 4, Fem.
Pap. P. R. Endymion, Fabr. Herbst. Pap. Pl. 298, fig. 1, 2. Pap. regalis, Cramer , Pl. 72. fig. E, F. (Fem). The outline of this richly-ornamented insect perfectly corresponds to that of the preceding species, except that the hinder margin of the upper wings is scarcely concave. The whole disk is very brilliant blue with a tinge of green, surrounded by a black border, which is wide and sinuated on its inner edge in the female, and narrow in the other sex. The anal angle of each of the hinder win
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POLYOMMATUS VENUS. PLATE XXVII. Figs. 1, 2.
POLYOMMATUS VENUS. PLATE XXVII. Figs. 1, 2.
Pap. P. R. Venus, Fabr. Mantissa .—Hesperia R. Venus, Fabr. Systema .—Pap. Venus, Herbst. Pap. Pl. 294, fig. 1, 2. Pap. Imperialis, Cramer , Pl. 76. fig. E, F. This beautiful little insect is not unlike the preceding both in its form and colours. It belongs to a section of Polyommatus , in which the upper wings of the male are marked with an orbicular spot, of a cottony appearance, and frequently a good deal impressed. The expansion of the wings does not exceed an inch and a half. The colour of
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POLYOMMATUS ACHÆUS. PLATE XXVII. Figs. 3, 4.
POLYOMMATUS ACHÆUS. PLATE XXVII. Figs. 3, 4.
Hisperia R. Achæus, Fabr. —Pap. Achæus, Cramer , Pl. 352, fig. G, H.— Herbst. Pap. Pl. 297, figs. 3, 4. Nearly the same size as P. Venus , and also a native of Surinam. Upper side dark brown, the superior wings with two oval yellow spots on the disk of each, and two transverse curved streaks of the same colour on the inferior, the anal angle with a ferruginous spot. Under side yellow, with numerous ferruginous patches, each of which is ornamented with several small spots of golden-yellow, the ou
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THALIURA RHIPHEUS. PLATE XXVIII.
THALIURA RHIPHEUS. PLATE XXVIII.
Pap. E. A. Rhipheus, Fabr. —Pap. Rhipheus, Cramer , Pl. 385, fig. A, B.— Boisduval, Nouvel. Annal. du Museum d’His. Nat. p. 260, Pl. 8, fig. 1, 2. This magnificent species is usually about the size of Papilio Machaon , but sometimes it is a good deal larger. The surface is a deep, velvet-black; the upper wings with numerous transverse lines and stripes of beautiful golden-green, and a broad band of the same colour near the middle deeply cleft anteriorly: this band is likewise continued across th
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URANIA SLOANUS. PLATE XXIX. Fig. 1.
URANIA SLOANUS. PLATE XXIX. Fig. 1.
Godart. —Pap. Sloanus, Cramer , Pl. 85, fig. E, F.—Pap. Leilius, Var. Fabr. —Leilius Occidentalis, Swainson, Illus. Pl. 129. Expands about two inches and a half or three inches; surface deep black; the upper wings each with six or seven transverse lines of golden green, and near the middle a band of that colour bifid (sometimes trifid) anteriorly. Under wings with a central band of bright coppery red, irregularly indented, the abdominal margin more or less gilded green; the tail black with a few
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URANIA LEILUS. PLATE XXIX. Fig. 2.
URANIA LEILUS. PLATE XXIX. Fig. 2.
Pap. Leilus, Linn. Fabr. Cramer , Pl. 85, fig. C, D; Merian’s Surinam. Ins. Pl. 29.—Urania Leilus, Fabr. Syst. Gloss. —Leilus Surinamensis, Swainson. Zool. Illus. Pl. 125.—Le Page de Cayenne, Daubenton , Pl. enlum. 71, fig. 1. Larger than the preceding, frequently expanding four inches. Ground colour deep velvet black on both sides, the pictorial design on the upper wings nearly as in U. Sloanus , there being eight or nine slender transverse lines, slightly curved, of beautiful green, with a sil
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RHIPHEUS DASYCEPHALUS. PLATE XXX.
RHIPHEUS DASYCEPHALUS. PLATE XXX.
Urania Rhipheus, Var. Cramer, Godart .—Rhipheus Dasycephalus, Swainson, Zool. Illus. Pl. 131. We have copied the accompanying figures from Drury’s work on exotic insects, in order that they may be compared with those represented on Plate XXVIII. It will at once be perceived that they present numerous points of agreement, as well as very obvious differences, and when every consideration is taken into account, it is not easy to say whether they ought to be regarded as distinct species, or merely v
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FINIS.
FINIS.
1 See his eloge on Lamarck, of which a translation will be found in the Thirty-ninth Number of the Edinburgh New Philosophical Journal. To this memoir we have been chiefly indebted for the particulars of Lamarck’s life. 2 Memoir on the substance of fire, considered as a chemical agent in analysis.— Journal de Physique, Floreal, An. vii. 3 Memoir on the substance of sound.— Journal de Physique, 16 & 26 Brumaire, An. vii. 4 Animaux sans vertébres , vol. i. p. 188, 189. 5 Animaux sans Verté
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