Shell armed with spinous tubercles, pale fulvous with remote angular waved lines of brown; spiral whorls plaited; pillar with four plaits.Voluta vespertilio.Lam. Sys. 7. 1. p. 336.
Shell armed with spinous tubercles, pale fulvous with remote angular waved lines of brown; spiral whorls plaited; pillar with four plaits.
Voluta vespertilio.Lam. Sys. 7. 1. p. 336.
The second or sub-typical genus of the Volutes, appears to be represented by this common though elegant species; here figured from one of the largest specimens we have ever seen. The group is chiefly distinguished by the very obtuse but regular termination of its spire, the whorls of which are never distorted or disproportionately inflated: the plaits are always four, and the pillar is never thickened in the middle: the shells of all the typical species are furnished with pointed tubercles; and from their general aspect, do not appear to be covered, like the typical Volutes, by the dilated mantle of the animal, yet the two groups blend into each other by means of the first type of form above indicated.
As we have deemed it advisable to employ the name ofCymbiola, (hitherto used in aspecificsense), as a generic appellation for the whole group, we trust that those who may adopt our views, will hereafter distinguish theVoluta cymbiolaof Sowerby, now in the cabinet of Mr. Broderip, by the name ofCymbiola Broderpia, in just commemoration of a gentleman whose knowledge of conchology, and whose general labours in the cause of science we have so often had occasion to honour.
Pl.84.
VOLUTAcymbium.Marbled Melon.
Plate 84.
VOLUTAcymbium.
Clouded Melon Volute.
Sub-family VolutinæNob.(Gen. Melo. Cymba. Voluta.Brod.)
Generic Character.
Shell enveloped by the mantle of the animal: oval, ventricose; spire very obtuse, papillary, remarkably short, the whorls (when defined) abruptly lessening. Pillar with from 3 to 4 carinated plaits.Types of Form.—1. V. fulgetrum. 2. V. cymbium. olla. Neptuni, porcina, proboscidalis, rubiginosa. 3. melo, tessellata, Ethiopica, diadema, armata, nautica. 4. Imperialis, Scapha (?) 5. angulata.Auct.
Shell enveloped by the mantle of the animal: oval, ventricose; spire very obtuse, papillary, remarkably short, the whorls (when defined) abruptly lessening. Pillar with from 3 to 4 carinated plaits.
Types of Form.—1. V. fulgetrum. 2. V. cymbium. olla. Neptuni, porcina, proboscidalis, rubiginosa. 3. melo, tessellata, Ethiopica, diadema, armata, nautica. 4. Imperialis, Scapha (?) 5. angulata.Auct.
Specific Character.
Type 2.Shell ovate, marbled with rufous and white, suture channelled, the margin carinated: spire rude, irregular, plaits on the pillar variable.Voluta cymbium.Auct. Lam. Sys. 7. 9. 332, Ency. Meth. pl. 386, f. 3.—L'Yet,Adans. Seneg. pl. 3. f. 1. p. 44.Cymba cymbium.Brod. in Sow. Genera.
Type 2.Shell ovate, marbled with rufous and white, suture channelled, the margin carinated: spire rude, irregular, plaits on the pillar variable.
Voluta cymbium.Auct. Lam. Sys. 7. 9. 332, Ency. Meth. pl. 386, f. 3.—L'Yet,Adans. Seneg. pl. 3. f. 1. p. 44.
Cymba cymbium.Brod. in Sow. Genera.
That the system of nature is essentially a system of types and symbols, is a truth which has not only been perceived by philosophers, but is apparent to every attentive observer of nature. It has been our endeavour, in the second volume ofNorthern Zoology, to investigate this system, and to ascertain those laws by which it is regulated. One of the results of this enquiry has been, that every genus, pre-eminently typical, contains a greater number of forms than any other; the necessary consequence of comprising within itself, representations of every division in the whole family. By this test must our present definition of the typical genusVolutabe tried. We consider this particular species as the type of the whole group: according to Adanson, it is abundant on the western coast of Africa, where it is stated to vary considerably, both in its colour and in its plaits. To the same traveller we are indebted for the best account of the animal, which he describes under the name of L'Yet. It has been thought, indeed, that this is theVoluta neptuni, but as the interior of Adanson's L'Yet is "blanche" and that ofNeptuniis yellowish orange, we rather think that the French writer intended to designate theVoluta cymbiumof systematic authors.
Pl.85.
ENDYMIONregalis.Maroon banded Hair streak.
Plate 85.
ENDYMIONregalis.
Maroon-banded Hair-streak.
Tribe Papiliones. Family, Polyommatidæ. Sub-family, Theclanæ.Nob.
Sub-Generic Character.
Palpi in one sex (male) scarcely projecting beyond the head, the last joint very minute; in the other (female) lengthened, porrect, curved downwards, the last joint as long as that which precedes it; in both obtuse and covered with close-set scales; posterior wings four tailed.
Palpi in one sex (male) scarcely projecting beyond the head, the last joint very minute; in the other (female) lengthened, porrect, curved downwards, the last joint as long as that which precedes it; in both obtuse and covered with close-set scales; posterior wings four tailed.
Specific Character.
Wings above shining blue: beneath golden emerald green, with a common black stripe, and a broad red band on the posterior wings; ocelli none.Papilio regalis.Cramer. Ins. Pl. 72. f. E. F.Hesperia Endymion.Fab. Ent. Sys. 3. 1. 268.
Wings above shining blue: beneath golden emerald green, with a common black stripe, and a broad red band on the posterior wings; ocelli none.
Papilio regalis.Cramer. Ins. Pl. 72. f. E. F.
Hesperia Endymion.Fab. Ent. Sys. 3. 1. 268.
This superb butterfly, both in size and brilliancy of colour, may vie with the Emerald Hair-streak, and both are among the most beautiful of their family yet discovered. The general colour of the under surface is of the richest golden green; the under wings being crossed by a broad bar of deep maroon, softened into pearly white. The female is known by being the largest, and by having the black margin of the upper wings much broader. Our specimens were captured in Brazil. Lat 8. 12. S.
The palpi, which in the sub-genusArcasare equally long and perfect in both sexes, are very different in the male and female of the present sub-genus. In other respects there seems to be a close affinity between them. We have not had time, however, to enter upon their minute dissection.
Pl.86.
GARRULUS SORDIDUS.Dusky bodied Jay.
Plate 86.
GARRULUSsordidus.
Dusky-bodied Jay.
Family Corvidæ. Sub-family Garulinæ.Nob.See Northern Zoology, 2. p. 288.
Specific Character.
Above dusky blue, brighter upon the crown, wings, and tail; beneath grey; chin and belly whiteish; ears blackish; tail distinctly rounded.Garrulus sordidus.Swains. Synopsis, No. 66.(Phil. Mag. June 1827.)
Above dusky blue, brighter upon the crown, wings, and tail; beneath grey; chin and belly whiteish; ears blackish; tail distinctly rounded.
Garrulus sordidus.Swains. Synopsis, No. 66.(Phil. Mag. June 1827.)
The Jays, although allied to the Crows, have many peculiar characteristics. While the latter roam about and seek their food in all situations, the Jays confine themselves to thick woods, feeding upon fruits, insects, and eggs, and seldom perch upon the ground. In unison with that symbolical system which pervades all nature, we find a perfect representation of this group in the Bush-Shrikes of the new world.
America seems to possess three Jays, closely resembling each other, but each (if they have been described correctly) having some peculiar distinction. As these have not been clearly stated, and as some confusion has consequently crept into the subject, we shall shortly state their distinctions. The Florida Jay of Prince C. Bonaparte, (G. Floridamus) which has been thought the same as ours, is a much smaller bird, being only 11½ in. long, and the back is "yellowish brown," not dusky blue, (SeeBon. Am. Orn. 2. p. 61.) TheGarrulus ultramarinusof the same noble and learned writer, appears to us from the following account, to be distinct from either. "Its principal characters may be found in its larger dimensions, but especially in the shape of its tail, which isperfectly even, and not in the least cuneiform, as it generally is in all the Jays," (Am. Orn. 2. 62.) Now the tail of our species isdecidedly rounded, the outer feather being full one inch shorter than the middle.
TheGarrulus sordidusinhabits the table land of Mexico, from whence our specimen was received. Total length, 11 in.: bill, 1½: wings, 7: tarsi, 17⁄10: tail, 6½ in.
Pl.87.
SCAPHELLAmaculata. Sw.Olive Volute.
Plate 87.
SCAPHELLAmaculata.
Olive Volute.
Family Volutidæ. Sub-family Volutinæ.Nob.
Generic Character.
Shellfusiform, invariably smooth and polished: spiral whorls gradually diminishing in size, the apex obtuse but rarely thickened or distorted: pillar generally gibbous in the middle, with from four to six thick and unequal plaits: margin of the outer lip thickened.Typical Species.—Scaph. undulata. Junonia, maculata, zebra.Aberrant Species.—Scaph. papillaris, elongata (?)
Shellfusiform, invariably smooth and polished: spiral whorls gradually diminishing in size, the apex obtuse but rarely thickened or distorted: pillar generally gibbous in the middle, with from four to six thick and unequal plaits: margin of the outer lip thickened.
Typical Species.—Scaph. undulata. Junonia, maculata, zebra.
Aberrant Species.—Scaph. papillaris, elongata (?)
Specific Character.
Shell small, oval, fulvous, with longitudinal purplish-brown spots, disposed in three transverse bands: spire conical: pillar four plaited, not gibbous.Voluta maculata.Swains. Bligh. Cat. app. p. 11.
Shell small, oval, fulvous, with longitudinal purplish-brown spots, disposed in three transverse bands: spire conical: pillar four plaited, not gibbous.
Voluta maculata.Swains. Bligh. Cat. app. p. 11.
Of this distinct and very remarkable genus of Volutes, few species have hitherto been discovered: the subordinate divisions cannot therefore be traced; nor do we feel satisfied that all the typical characters have been detected: we consider it nevertheless, as a perfectly natural genus, absolutely essential to mark the connection between the Volutes and theMarginillæ. Lamark, indeed, as if aware of this affinity, actually describes one species as aMarginilla. The union of the three aberrant genera ofScaphella,Volutilithes, andHarpula, into one circle, is effected by theScap. papillarisand theHarpula Lapponica: the former species conducting us at the same time to the typical Volutes, by means ofVoluta fulgetrumof Sowerby.
Scaphella maculatais a native of the Australian seas, and is of great rarity. Our drawings were made from one of the beautiful specimens in Mr. Broderip's possession, It is probable that the animals of this genus envelope their shells in an ample mantle, since they are almost always enamelled.
Pl.88.
ARCASImperialis.
Plate 88.
ARCASimperialis.
Emerald Hair-streak.
Tribe, Papiliones. Family, Polyommatidæ. Sub-family, Theclanæ,Nob.
Sub-Generic Character.
Palpi, in both sexes, very long, thick, porrect, twice as long as the head, curved downwards, all the joints entirely covered with close-set scales, posterior wings six-tailed.
Palpi, in both sexes, very long, thick, porrect, twice as long as the head, curved downwards, all the joints entirely covered with close-set scales, posterior wings six-tailed.
Specific Character.
Above shining blue: beneath emerald-green, marked with minute black waved lines.Papilio imperialis.Cramer, Pl. 75. f. E. F.Hesperia Venus.Fab. Ent. Sys. 3. 1. 268.
Above shining blue: beneath emerald-green, marked with minute black waved lines.
Papilio imperialis.Cramer, Pl. 75. f. E. F.
Hesperia Venus.Fab. Ent. Sys. 3. 1. 268.
It is impossible to depicture with correctness, the resplendant blue which ornaments the upper surface, or the vivid emerald green on the under wings, of this rare and splendid insect. It is possessed by few collectors; nor did we capture more than three specimens, during two years devoted to the entomology and ornithology of Brazil. The male is distinguished by a black central spot on the anterior wings. The very remarkable prolongation of the palpi, which are alike in both sexes, induces us to consider this insect as a type of form, or in other words, a sub-genus: but we are at present unprepared to state any thing satisfactory on its true affinities.
We have thought it right in this and other instances, to retain the original specific name of Cramer; and we shall do the same in all instances where it will not produce a discordant union of generic and specific names. On this head, as the principle of Linnæus, from the great number of new genera since defined, can no longer be acted upon, we think that specific appellations, derived from some character of the insect, are much better, in every respect, than attempting to render the nomenclature of the Lepidoptera a correct index to the mythology of the Ancients.
Pl.89.
CHLORISSESSarpedon.
Plate 89.
CHLORISSESSarpedon,
Sarpedon Butterfly.
NATURAL GROUPS.
Tribe, Papiliones.Family, Papilionidæ.Sub-fam.Papilionæ.
Genus——.Sub-Genus, Chlorisses,Nobis.
Sub-Generic Character.
Wings, black, banded or variegated with green: the posterior narrowed, with obsolete acute tails;Head, thick, sessile, the front very hairy;Antennæ, long, the club spatulate, and concave beneath;Posterior feet, with the first joint of the tarsus as long as the tibiæ.
Wings, black, banded or variegated with green: the posterior narrowed, with obsolete acute tails;Head, thick, sessile, the front very hairy;Antennæ, long, the club spatulate, and concave beneath;Posterior feet, with the first joint of the tarsus as long as the tibiæ.
Specific Character.
Wings black, with a common green band: posterior obsoletely tailed: beneath, marked with a red and black lunated spot at the base.Papilio Sarpedon.Linn. Fab. Entom. Syst. 3. p. 1. p. 14. No. 41. Cramer. Pl. 122. f. D. E.Papilio Sarpedon.Ency. Meth. 9. p. 46. No. 62.
Wings black, with a common green band: posterior obsoletely tailed: beneath, marked with a red and black lunated spot at the base.
Papilio Sarpedon.Linn. Fab. Entom. Syst. 3. p. 1. p. 14. No. 41. Cramer. Pl. 122. f. D. E.
Papilio Sarpedon.Ency. Meth. 9. p. 46. No. 62.
Entomologists of the last century classed all day-flying Butterflies in the GenusPapilio. But this denomination has been restricted, of late years, to such as possess six long perfect legs; very short palpi, and the anterior shanks spined near the middle. Now this group is so peculiarly distinct, and comprises within itself such numerous variations of form, that we have always viewed it as pre-eminently calculated to put to the most severe test any arrangement, the principles of which are conceived to be those of Nature. ThePapilionæhave consequently, for many years, engaged much of our attention. Baffled in numerous attempts to understand their arrangement, it was only upon applying those principles of the natural system, which we have detailed inNorthern Zoology, vol. 2, that their true affinities became apparent. At present we shall only apprise the Entomologist that the divisions above named arecircular groups, and the result of strict analysis. The sub-genusChlorisses, in reference to Ornithology, is a scansorial type.
The present Insect, figured from the male sex, is one of the most beautiful butterflies of India. General Hardwicke presented us with specimens from Nepaul; and we have since received others from Java. The typical species isPapilio Agamemnon, where the green colour is broken into round spots. The most extraordinary circumstance, however, which belongs to the group, is this; that although a sub-genus, it yet contains within itselfsubordinatetypes of form, representing all the higher divisions. The only ornithological group we have yet ascertained as possessing this property, is the sub-genusParus(proper).
Pl.90.
JASIAAthama.
Plate 90.
JASIAAthama,
Athama Butterfly.
Tribe, Papiliones. Family, Nymphalidæ.Nobis.
Sub-Generic Character.
Lower wings, acutely bi-caudate;Antennæ, short, gradually thickening into a lengthened, cylindrical club, the tip nearly truncate;Palpi, projecting, and longer above, than is the head; their tips acute; their joints concealed by compact scales.
Lower wings, acutely bi-caudate;Antennæ, short, gradually thickening into a lengthened, cylindrical club, the tip nearly truncate;Palpi, projecting, and longer above, than is the head; their tips acute; their joints concealed by compact scales.
Type, Papilio Jasius.Auct.
Specific Character.
Wings above blackish, with a broad, common band, and an anterior spot of straw colour; beneath, having the band greenish, and margined with chesnut.Papilio Athamas.Cramer, Pl. 89. f. C. D.
Wings above blackish, with a broad, common band, and an anterior spot of straw colour; beneath, having the band greenish, and margined with chesnut.
Papilio Athamas.Cramer, Pl. 89. f. C. D.
We can communicate but little on this elegant Butterfly, of which our figures represent the female: the other sex is known by having the straw coloured band much narrower; on the under surface this colour is prismatic; changing, in some lights, to a delicate pea green. The great size and thickness of the thorax, intimate a powerful and rapid flight. The group is Oriental; but one species, the beautiful and rarePap. Jasius.Lin. we have captured in the Island of Sicily, the most southern part of Europe.
As we have not yet completed the analysis of this family of Butterflies, we know not the rank or true affinities of the present group. It is evidently either one of the lowest types of form, or a sub-genus. We have received both sexes of these insects from Java, where the species appears to be common. The resemblance of this group, toRhetusandMarius, would seem to indicate points of strong natural analogy.
We adopt the original specific name of Cramer: for we cannot, at this moment, trace the species in the voluminous works of Fabricius.
Pl.91.
GEOTROCHUSpileus.Cap Land-Trochus.
Plate 91.
GEOTROCHUSpileus.
Cap-shaped Land-trochus.
Order Phytophages.Swains.Tribe ——
Sub-Generic Character.
Shell pyramidical, each volution, reckoning from the base, gradually diminishing and forming a conic spire, basal volution depressed, margin of the outer lip reflected and entire.
Shell pyramidical, each volution, reckoning from the base, gradually diminishing and forming a conic spire, basal volution depressed, margin of the outer lip reflected and entire.
Specific Character.
Shell trochiform, smooth, generally banded with reddish and yellowish bands: volutious convex.Trochus Pileus.Chemnetz. Pl. 122. f. 1046-7-8.Helix pileus.Dillwyn. p. 933. No. 106.Lister. Tab. 14. f. 11.
Shell trochiform, smooth, generally banded with reddish and yellowish bands: volutious convex.
Trochus Pileus.Chemnetz. Pl. 122. f. 1046-7-8.
Helix pileus.Dillwyn. p. 933. No. 106.
Lister. Tab. 14. f. 11.
In Mus. Nost.
Although this shell, in artificial arrangements, may be very well placed among the sub-divisions ofHelixorBulimus, we feel persuaded that it is,naturally, the type of a Sub-genus: we have no hesitation, therefore, in recording it as such. Another species, sharply carinated, semi-transparent, and of a milky whiteness, we discovered in Brazil: and we are thus led to conclude that the habitat ofGeotrochus pileus, which no author has yet mentioned, may probably be Tropical America.
The figures of this species, given by Chemnitz and Born, represent it as marked by several narrow bands of a rufous brown colour: but the variety here delineated, has only one, of a deep purple; it is almost the only specimen answering to this description, which we have yet seen: both varieties are very rare, and much prized by collectors.
GENERAL INDEX
OF THE PLATES TO
VOL. II.
IN THE ORDER OF PUBLICATION.
N.B. The number here affixed to the Plates, for convenience of reference, had better be marked in pencil upon the Plates themselves.
N.B. The number here affixed to the Plates, for convenience of reference, had better be marked in pencil upon the Plates themselves.
GENERAL ALPHABETIC INDEX
OF
LATIN AND ENGLISH NAMES, &c.,
TO
VOL. II.
Notes.