Pl.130.
LEILUSOrientalis.Sw.
Plate 130.
LEILUSOrientalis.
Oriental Emerald Butterfly.
Specific Character.
Posterior wings six tailed; anal angle with a large flame-coloured space, varied with black spots; tails unequal, whiteish.Papilio Rhipheus.Cramer, Vol. 2, page 193, pl. 385, fig. A. B.
Posterior wings six tailed; anal angle with a large flame-coloured space, varied with black spots; tails unequal, whiteish.
Papilio Rhipheus.Cramer, Vol. 2, page 193, pl. 385, fig. A. B.
That the natural affinities of this superb and highly interesting group of insects should be no longer a matter of doubt, we are induced to deviate, for the first time, from our usual practice. On this and the next plate we have copied two figures of insects which we have never seen, for the purpose of bringing them immediately before the eye of the entomologist, and of clearing up some remarkable facts concerning them.
The first of these is taken from Cramer, who calls itPap. Rhipheus, from an unaccountable idea that it was the same species as one figured by Drury, under that name. He imagines that this latter figure was made from a mutilated specimen, in which the tails had been broken off, and thathis, consequently, represented the insect in its perfect state. Every succeeding writer, so far as we can discover, has taken up this idea, without the precaution of investigating its correctness. Now it follows that if the two species were the same, the posterior wings ofCramer's, would be spotted like those ofDrury's, yet they are essentially different: a piece of paper, put over to hide the tails in our present figure, which may then be compared with the next, will at once explain our meaning: but setting this aside, Cramer expressly asserts that his insect has the Antennæ "sans boutons", and "comme filiformes", and very justly compares it with ourLeilus Surinamensis, "mas plus encore," withPap. Orontes, L. (Orontes Noctuïdes, Sw.) the immediate type to which it leads.
How totally inapplicable this account is to Drury's insect, will be presently shewn. Cramer has most correctly given the immediate affinities of this insect. We have no space to state our reasons for considering it, at present, as a trueLeilus; although with six tails, instead oftwo. It maypossibly, however, be the fifth, or natatorial type, which in our synopsis of the genus at Pl.125, we have not ventured to indicate. We have never seen, or even heard of a specimen in modern cabinets; that figured by Cramer, was found at Chandernagor, in Bengal, and was in the rich collection of M. Gigot d'Orcy.
Pl.131.
RHIPHEUSDasycephalus. Sw.
Plate 131.
RHIPHEUSdasycephalus.
Round-winged Emerald Butterfly
Specific Character.
Wings black, varied with numerous irregular lines of emerald green; posterior with the internal and anal angle, deep blood-red, shining with gold and spotted with black.Papilio Rhipheus. Drury. Ins. 2, p. 40, pl. 23, 1. 2.
Wings black, varied with numerous irregular lines of emerald green; posterior with the internal and anal angle, deep blood-red, shining with gold and spotted with black.
Papilio Rhipheus. Drury. Ins. 2, p. 40, pl. 23, 1. 2.
If the imagination was taxed to invent, or to concentrate into one figure all that was splendid, lovely, or rare in the insect world, Nature would far exceed the poor invention of man by the production of this incomparably splendid creature; its rarity also is so great, that but one specimen has ever been seen: this was brought from China, and in 1773, belonged to a Captain May, of Hammersmith: with whom it was seen by Drury, and drawn by Harris. It is not however, on this account only that we have been induced to copy this figure, but because its illustration will clear up one of the most intricate and perplexing questions, that has hitherto impeded the natural arrangement of the LinnænPapiliones, and even of the whole order of Lepidoptera.
The error of Cramer, regardingRhipheushas already been rectified. It will now be demonstrated that not only are the two insects distinct asspecies, but that they actually belong to differentgenera. Cramer's being aUraniaof Fabricius and Latrielle, while Drury's is aPapilioof the same authors. This is proved by the figures; and confirmed by the following words of Drury, "The antennæ are black, and knobbed at their extremities," in other words, clavate; while the palpi, as expressed in the figure, are so small as not to project beyond the head, where they lie hid in the frontal hairs: this also being a typical distinction of the LatrellianPapiliones. The figures in Drury's work were all drawn and engraved by Moses Harris, well known as one of the most accurate artists that ever lived: as a remarkable proof of this, we find that he has not failed to delineate that peculiar nuration of the anterior wings, which belongs only to the types ofLeilus. A closer affinity therefore betweenPapilioandLeiluscannot possibly be imagined: while its remarkably hairy front, points out its analogy, as an aberrant type in its own genus, toChlorisses, among insects, andDasycephalaamong birds. So true it is that the natural system "illuminates with a flood of light" every supposed anomaly, and reconciles facts apparently the most inexplicable.
Pl.132.
LYCÆNADispar.
Plate 132.
LYCÆNAdispar.
The Large British Copper.
Family Erycinidæ. Sub-family Theclinæ. Sw. Genus Polyommatus.
Generic Character.
Wings (typically) obtuse, rounded; anterior having the external margin shorter than the posterior: posterior wings entire or nearly so: destitute both of filiform caudal appendages, and of metallic anal spots.Nob.
Wings (typically) obtuse, rounded; anterior having the external margin shorter than the posterior: posterior wings entire or nearly so: destitute both of filiform caudal appendages, and of metallic anal spots.Nob.
Sub-Generic Character.
Posterior wings obsoletely dentated, particularly at the anal angle: club of the antennæ short, spatulate; palpi hairy, the last joint lengthened, acute, naked, obliquely vertical.Type.L. Phlæas.
Posterior wings obsoletely dentated, particularly at the anal angle: club of the antennæ short, spatulate; palpi hairy, the last joint lengthened, acute, naked, obliquely vertical.Type.L. Phlæas.
Specific Character.
Wings coppery: the male with two discoid black dots on the anterior, and one on the posterior wings: club of the antennæ elongated and fusiform.(Aberrant.)Papilio Hippothoë. Lewen's Pap. pl. 40.Pap. dispar. Haworth. Lep. Brit. p. 40. Stevens. Brit. Ent. 1. p. 82. Pl. 3
Wings coppery: the male with two discoid black dots on the anterior, and one on the posterior wings: club of the antennæ elongated and fusiform.(Aberrant.)
Papilio Hippothoë. Lewen's Pap. pl. 40.
Pap. dispar. Haworth. Lep. Brit. p. 40. Stevens. Brit. Ent. 1. p. 82. Pl. 3
As considerable misconception appears to exist regarding the type of the tenuirostral or vermiform family of the Diurnal Lepidoptera, we shall endeavour to illustrate this subject. Our concluding number is accordingly devoted to the genusPolyommatusof Latrielle, and its subordinate types or sub-genera. These compose, what we have elsewhere defined, a natural and perfect group; (North. Zool. 2, 288) inasmuch as it has been tested by the analogies, and conformed by the representations, which it bears to innumerable others, both in the Annulose and vertebrated circles. According to this analysis, bothLycænaandPolyommatus, strictly so termed, instead of being types either of families or sub-families, are of one and the same genus: which genus, moreover, is but the portion of the aberrant group of theTheclinæ. The typical forms of the genusErycina, exclusively confined to Tropical America, constitute, in fact, the pre-eminent perfection of the family in question.
AsLycænarepresents theNymphalidæ, or sub-typical family of the Diurnal Butterflys, so is it the sub-typical form of the genusPolyommatus. Its geographic range is wide, being extended to the temperate latitudes of both hemispheres. The largest British species is that now figured, from the identical specimens mentioned by Lewin.
Pl.133.
POLYOMMATUSCassius.
Plate 133.
POLYOMMATUSCassius.
Brazilian Blue.
Family Erycinidæ. Sub-family Theclinæ. Genus Polyommatus (The typical sub-genus.)
Sub-Generic Character.
Wings entire, obtuse; the posterior rounded, particularly at the anal angle. Palpi covered and fringed with long hair; the last joint distinct and nearly naked. Antennæ with a lengthened, fusiform, spatulate club. Colour blue, beneath ocellated.
Wings entire, obtuse; the posterior rounded, particularly at the anal angle. Palpi covered and fringed with long hair; the last joint distinct and nearly naked. Antennæ with a lengthened, fusiform, spatulate club. Colour blue, beneath ocellated.
Specific Character.
Male: wings sub-diaphanous, blue, immaculate; whitish near the anal angle. Female: the disk of all white, with black spots and borders. In both sexes, beneath white, with blackish dots: those on the anterior wings transverse and confluent.Pap. Cassius. (the female)Cramer, pl. 23, fig.C. D.
Male: wings sub-diaphanous, blue, immaculate; whitish near the anal angle. Female: the disk of all white, with black spots and borders. In both sexes, beneath white, with blackish dots: those on the anterior wings transverse and confluent.
Pap. Cassius. (the female)Cramer, pl. 23, fig.C. D.
We have elsewhere pointed out, as one of the peculiar distinctions of forms and groups pre-eminently typical, that their geographic distribution is invariably wide, and generally universal; and that this is one of the reasons why certain forms are found both in Europe, America, India, and Australia. This was said of Birds, and the remark is even more applicable when we look to insects. We accordingly find, that the typical species of the genus now under consideration, not only spread themselves over all Europe and Africa, but extend to the Indian islands on one side, and over the whole of America on the other, without offering more than a sectional variation of character. It is uncertain, however, whether any species occur in Australia; for the European type seems to be represented there by the sub-genusErina. The genus,collectively, is a rasorial type, representing the familySatyridæamong thePapiliones,—Parnassiusamong thePapilionidæ,—and thePaconidæamong Birds.
Pol. Cassius is one of the most common species of Brazil, where we found it frequenting similar situations, and possessing the same habits, as the ordinary Blues of England. The analysis bestowed upon this group, convinces us thatPithecops, H.is but a section of this sub-genus. The upper figure represents themale, the lower the female: both are enlarged. The connecting species betweenPolyommatusandLycænaareHelle, Hub.Lametia, andBoeticus.
Pl.134.
ERINApulchella.
Plate 134.
ERINApulchella.
Buff-spotted Blue.
Family, Ericinidæ. Sub-fam., Theclinæ.Sw.Genus, Polyommatus.Lat.Sub-genus, Erina.Sw.
Sub-Generic Character.
Wings obtuse, very entire: palpi covered only with compact scales, the last joint lengthened, slender, and very naked. Club of the antennæ short, broad, and spatulate. Colour, dark blue, spotted beneath.Typical.Hesp. Erinus.Fab.Aberrant.Lycæna ignita.Leach.
Wings obtuse, very entire: palpi covered only with compact scales, the last joint lengthened, slender, and very naked. Club of the antennæ short, broad, and spatulate. Colour, dark blue, spotted beneath.
Typical.Hesp. Erinus.Fab.Aberrant.Lycæna ignita.Leach.
Specific Character.
Wings above brown, glossed with blue; anterior with a discoid fulvous spot; beneath white: posterior pair with three black dots in the middle.
Wings above brown, glossed with blue; anterior with a discoid fulvous spot; beneath white: posterior pair with three black dots in the middle.
Mus. Brit. Nost.
The passage fromPolyommatusto the type now before us, is distinctly marked by the section (for under that rank we may still retain it), namedPithecops; the palpi of these latter being both hairy, like the typicalPolyommatus, and squamose, as inErina: the posterior wings of both are also much of the same shape. By these blended characters Nature gently glides into the form now under consideration, which is the satyrian orrasorialtype of the genus; representing theSatyridæ, theHipparchianæ, &c. and which supplies the place ofPolyommatus, strictly so termed, on the Australian continent. We have already before us six species from that country; five of which are typical, but the sixth, theL. ignitaof our friend Dr. Leach (Zool. Miss. I. pl. 60), demands particular attention. We have elsewhere shewn that all aberrant forms unite into a circle of their own. Now asErina,Lucia, andNaïs, are the aberrant forms of the genusPolyommatus, so there should be species either in the first or the last,—that is, inErinaorNaïs, which would exemplify this theory in the present instance. We accordingly find it demonstrated byErina ignita; for that insect, although essentially belonging to this type, in the characters of thepalpiandantennæ, nevertheless assumes one of the great distinctions ofNaïs.—-The wings of the two sexes being different: the posterior pair in the female are dentated, while those of the male are completely entire; so that the first might pass for aNaïs, and the second for anErina; both sexes further shew the union of these two types, by having the under surface of their wings ornamented, as inNaïs, with silvery spots. Our figures, by the scale, are somewhat enlarged. We have sent a specimen ofE. pulchellato the British Museum for general reference.
Pl.135.
LUCIAlimbaria.
Plate 135.
LUCIAlimbaria.
Brown-winged Blue.
Sub-fam. Theclinæ. Genus Polyommatus.Lat.Sub-genus Lucia.Sw.
Sub-Generic Character.
Wings horizontally lengthened, entire: palpi very slender, ciliate with long hairs, the last joint very minute, scarcely distinguishable. Antennæ with a lengthened club, either cylindrical or compressed. Colours obscure, moth-like.
Wings horizontally lengthened, entire: palpi very slender, ciliate with long hairs, the last joint very minute, scarcely distinguishable. Antennæ with a lengthened club, either cylindrical or compressed. Colours obscure, moth-like.
Specific Character.
Wings above brown, disk of the anterior fulvous, with two brown spots above, and three beneath, encircled with white: posterior beneath varied with grey and white, with a central band of square brown spots.Hesp. Lucanus?Fab. Ent. Syst. 3, 1, p. 322. Donovan's Ind. Ins. pl. 43, f. 4?
Wings above brown, disk of the anterior fulvous, with two brown spots above, and three beneath, encircled with white: posterior beneath varied with grey and white, with a central band of square brown spots.
Hesp. Lucanus?Fab. Ent. Syst. 3, 1, p. 322. Donovan's Ind. Ins. pl. 43, f. 4?
Mus. Nost.
This, which appears the most aberrant type of the genus, immediately reminds the student of a dark colouredErycinaor aPhalæna, both of which families, as being the Heliconian or Erycinian type ofPolyommatus, it truly represents. It is at once known fromErina, by its very peculiar palpi, and by its more lengthened wings. The antennæ of three species now before us, present a remarkable difference. In two of these, the club is compressed and spatulate, like that ofErina; but in the third, here figured, it has the cylindrical form belonging toNaïs. Which of these forms is typical, must at present, be undecided; but there cannot be a stranger link of connection betweenLuciaandNaïs, than the fact of this species borrowing, as it were, the cylindrical club of the latter. Without such a link, in short, the series would be imperfect.
As we cannot satisfactorily determine whether the types here figured ofLuciaandErinaare described in books, we have been compelled to regard them as unnamed. This, and the two other species we possess, are all from Australia. On bringing the genusPolyommatusto analogical tests, the only demonstration of a natural group, we find the sub-genera representing the families of the Diurnal Lepidoptera, in the following manner:—1.Typical, Polyommatus,Papilionidæ.—2.Sub-Typical, Lycæna,Nymphalidæ.—3.Aberrant, Naïs-Hesperidæ, Lucia-Erycidinæ, and Erina-Satyridæ.
Pl.136.
NAÏSsplendens.
Plate 136.
NAÏSsplendens.
Blue-shouldered Copper.
Sub-fam. Theclinæ. Genus Polyommatus. Sub-genus Naïs.Sw.
Sub-generic Character.
Wings sub-angulated; posterior dentated, particularly at the anal angle. Copper coloured above, with silvery spots beneath. Antennæ cylindrical, thickening from the base: the tip truncate.
Wings sub-angulated; posterior dentated, particularly at the anal angle. Copper coloured above, with silvery spots beneath. Antennæ cylindrical, thickening from the base: the tip truncate.
Specific Character.
Wings above coppery, with black dots, their basal half-shining blue; beneath fulvous; the posterior varied with ferruginous, and marked by silvery spots.Pap. Naïs.Cramer, pl. 57, fig.D. E.
Wings above coppery, with black dots, their basal half-shining blue; beneath fulvous; the posterior varied with ferruginous, and marked by silvery spots.
Pap. Naïs.Cramer, pl. 57, fig.D. E.
In every natural group of the diurnal Lepidoptera which we have analysed, (and the number is somewhat considerable,) there is always one in which the posterior wings are more than usually tailed; and this seems to be such a prevalent form throughout the Vertebrata and the Annulosa, that we believe it is universal: in other words, that it is one of thePRIMARY TYPESof Nature. We have consequently termed it thenatatorial, since it represents that order of birds, as the Swallow-tailedPapilionestypify the Swallows. That we should find this form in a group where the chief character is the roundness and the integrity of the wings, is certainly astonishing; but it shews that the laws of Nature are as simple, as they are universal. The absolute union of this sub-genus withLycæna, with which we commenced the circle, is palpable to the meanest capacity. All the species we possess, are from Africa and India. As they represent theArgynninæ, we accordingly find them ornamented with silver spots. The species now figured, are probably male and female, and were received from Africa.
We have now given the natural types of an Entomological genus; the only one that has been attempted, since the demonstration ofPhanæusandScarabæus. These are but three genera, out of many thousands, which at present have any other foundation, strictly speaking, than mere opinion. But the great principles of variation are now discovered, and we must hope that those naturalists of a higher order, who join acknowledged talent to matured experience, will follow up the subject.
GENERAL INDEX
OF THE PLATES TO
VOL. III.
IN THE ORDER OF PUBLICATION.
No. 26.
GENERAL ALPHABETIC INDEX
TO
VOL. III.
Lucia limbaria
INDEX
TO THE INSECTS.
(SECOND SERIES.)
In the order of Publication.
Systematic Arrangement.
INDEX
TO THE SHELLS.
(SECOND SERIES.)
In the order of Publication.
In Systematic Order.