ALBERT R. MANN LIBRARY CORNELL UNIVERSITY COMSTOCK MEMORIAL LIBRARY of Entomology NATURAL HISTORY INSECTS OF CHINA, CONTAINING UPWARDS OF TWO HUNDRED AND TWENTY FIGURES AND DESCRIPTIONS, E, DONOVAN, F.L.S. & W. 8. A NEW EDITION, BROUGHT DOWN TO THE PRESENT STATE OF THE SCIENCE, WITH SYSTEMATIC CHARACTERS OF EACH SPECIES, SYNONYMS, INDEXES, AND OTHER ADDITIONAL MATTER, BY J. O. WESTWOOD, SECRETARY OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OP LONDON, HON. MEM. OF THE LITERARY AND HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF QUEBEC, AND OF THE NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETIES OF MOSCOW, LILLE, MAURITIUS, ETC, LONDON : HENRY G. BOHN, YORK STREET, COVENT GARDEN. MDCCCXLI I. fiPiKfr H%3 C & PREFACE. In presenting- a new edition of the Epitome of the Insects of China to the entomological public, I have endeavoured to bring it clown to the present state of the science. The former edition, like all the writings of Donovan, was arranged in accordance with the system of Linnseus, and bore the date of 1798. At that period the science of Entomology was in its infancy ; but in the subsequent forty years the progress which has been made, has indeed been rapid. I have endeavoured to render the specific characters more precise, the nomenclature more correct (giving the priority to the oldest specific name), and the synonyms more numerous. The localities in many instances were incorrectly given in the former edition ; and I have added many additional observations, either incorporated in the text or given as foot notes, omitting nothing which appeared in the former at all likely to instruct or interest the reader. Alphabetical and systematic indices have also been introduced. I dare not hope that this edition is faultless : I have endeavoured to render the beautiful figures of Donovan as serviceable as possible", and must trust to the indulgence of the more skilful specific entomologist. One circumstance may be mentioned which will, at all events, be deemed an improvement, namely, the introduction of numbers both for the plates and for the several figures on each plate. Those who have consulted synonymical authorities in Entomology are aware of the trouble and confusion which have originated in the want of a A PREFACE. regular numeration of these plates, wmmTwas caused by the original periodical appearance of the work, whence it happens that we are referred to Part 11. plate 1. (as it may be), and not to a consecutive series of numbers upon the plates, which were, indeed, entirely without a number, and appeared promts- cuously. A German edition of this work was commenced at Leipzic in 1801, edited by J. G. Grubner, but I am not certain whether the entire work was repub- lished or only one of the parts. Of the Entomology of China little more is knoAvn at the present time than Donovan was acquainted with. It is true we continue to receive numerous boxes of insects from China, chiefly purchased in the shops of Canton, but, like every thing Chinese, there is such an absolute monotony in these arrivals, that it is almost impossible to discover in a quantity of these boxes a single species which is not contained in all the rest. It is evident that a considerable employment is produced by the rearing of the Atlas moth and some other species, and in the collection of the other insects which we receive in such abundance. The Chinese boxes are made of a soft wood, about 16 inches by 1 1 in size, and of a sufficient depth to admit a tall needle ; a layer of butter- flies and moths stuck close to the point of the needle is placed at the bottom of the box, with another layer of beetles, flies, &c. closely packed together and stuck high up on the needles, the points of which are passed through the wings of the butterflies forming the under layer. Donovan well observed that " the Chinese, like their neighbours the Japanese, are well acquainted with the natural productions of their empire, and Zoology and Botany, in particular, are favourite studies amongst them/' That the Chinese also pay considerable' attention to Entomology is evident, not only from the fact of the employment of silk having had its ori■ y / ,/v//'//;v ' /tf'17 . ■3. C ?ua / /y~'A/YY/7Y/.J <_///£ Mrtfaj INSECTS OF CHINA. Order. COLEOPTERA. Lb COPRIS MIDAS. Plate 1. fig. l. Tribe. Lameixicornes, Latreille. (Genus, Scarabseus, Linnmus.) Family. Scarab-EIM, Mac Leay. Genus. Copris, Geoffroy. (Scarabseus p. Donovan.) Ch. Sp. C. thorace retuso tricorni, cornu intermedio lato emarginato, capitis clypeo 3-sinuato denteque utrinque laterali valido recurvo armato. Long. Corp. 1J unc. C. with the thorax blunt in front and armed with three horns, the middle one broad and notched at the tip, the shield of the head with three sinuations, and armed on each side with a thick horn. Length 1 J inch. Syn. Scarabseus Midas, Fabricius Ent. Syst. I. p. 45. Syst. Eleuth. I. p. 36. Oliv. Ent. I. t. 30./. 183. J. he original description of Fabricius was taken from a specimen in the Banksian cabinet, the locality of America being assigned to it ; some mistake must, however, have occurred in this respect, as it is now well known that East India is the true country of this curious species, which has received its specific name, Midas, from the size of the ear-like pair of horns at the sides of the head. The accompanying figure was taken from a specimen in the collection of Drury, which was said to have been received from China. Some interesting observations, on the habits of this species, have been published by Col. Sykes in the first volume of the Transactions of the Entomological Society of London. K B COLEOPTERA. ORYCTES RHINOCEROS? Plate 1. fig. 2. Family. Dynastid.e, Mac Leay. Genus. Oryctes, Illiger. Scarabeeus p. Linn. Ch. Sp. O. thorace subbituberculato, capitis cornu simplici, clypeo bifido, elytris punctatis. Long. Corp. 1-J unc. O. with the thorax depressed in front, and with the rudiments of two tubercles, head with a single horn, clypeus bifid, elytra punctate. Length 1 inch, 5 lines. Syn. Scarabeeus Rhinoceros, Linn. Syst. Nat. I. II. p. 544. Fabricius Syst. Eleutk. I. p. 14. Ruesel. Ins. II. Scarab. 1. tab. A. f. 7. Scarabfcus Nasicornis, Donovan, 1st edit. Donovan observed upon this species, which he considered as identical with the European Oryctes nasicornis, that " the male is furnished with a long recurved horn on the head : the female has only a small rising on that part. It is found in Europe as well as China." It is evident, however, from the form of the thorax, and striation of the elytra of Donovan's figure, that he had confounded two distinct species. I have little doubt that the insect here figured is intended for the Oryctes Rhinoceros, although the elytra are not represented as being punctured. ONITICELLUS CINCTUS. Plate 1. fig. 3. Family. Scarab;eim, Mac Leay. Genus. Oniticellus, Zeiyler. Scarabseus p. Fabricius. Ch. Sp. On. niger, elytrorum margine pallido, clypeo emarginato. Long. Corp. lin. 4J. On. black with the margin of the elytra pale coloured, the clypeus notched. Length 4J lines. Syn. Scarabseus cinctus, Fabricius Ent. Syst. I. p. 6;>. Herbst. Col. II. p. 327. n. 215 Otiv. Ent. 1. 3. 169. 209. t. 10./. 90. Onitis cinctus, Schonh. Syn. Ins. \.p. 33. no. 20. COLEOPTERA. SCARAB/EUS (HELIOCANTHARUS) SANCTUS ? Plate 1 . fig. 4. Genus. Scarabxus, Linn. Mac Leay. Ateuchus, Latreille, Dejcan. (Sub-Gen. Heliocantiiarus, Mac Leay.) Ch. Sp. Sc. cupreo-nitens, clypeo 6-dentato, thorace serrato, elytris striatis. Long. Corp. 1 unc. Sc. black slightly shining with brass or copper, clypeus with six teeth, thorax witli the margins serrated, elytra striated. Length 1 inch. Syn. Copris sanctus ? Fabr. Suppl. Ent. Syst. p. 34. Scarabaeus sacer, Donov. 1 st edit. Scarabaeus sanctus, Mac Leay, Horce Ent. p. 500, var. o? The insect here figured was regarded by Donovan as identical with the Scarabaeus sacer of Linnaeus, a species inhabiting the south of Europe. " It is," he observes, " a native of China, and is also found in other parts of the East Indies, in Egypt, Barbary, the Cape of Good Hope, and other countries of Africa, and throughout the south of Europe. ' The insects inhabiting these various countries are now ascertained to be specifically distinct ; so that the reference of the species here figured to the Scarabaeus sacer cannot be adopted, and it is not improbable that it is identical with the sanctus of Fabricius. This tribe of insects is especially interesting from its containing the sacred beetle of the Egyptians, by whom it was regarded as a visible deity; but a more refined system of religious worship prevailed in their temples among the priests and sages. They deemed it only the symbol of their god, and, ascribing both sexes to the beetle, it became a striking emblem of a self-created and supreme first cause.* This insect was more especially the symbol of their god Neith, whose attribute was power supreme in governing the works of creation, and whose glory was increased, rather than diminished, by the presence of a superior being, Phtha, the creator. The theological definition of the two powers, being independent, yet centering in one spirit, is implied by the figurative union of two sexes in the beetle. In the latter sense it signified therefore but one omnipotent power. The Scarabaeus, typifying Neith, was carved or painted on * "The father, mother, male and female art thou." Synesius. Hymn. Phtha. — "The Egyptian spirit Phtha gave chaos form, and then created all things." Jamblichus de Mysteriis, sect. 8. COLEOPTERA. a ring and worn by the soldiers, as a token of homage to that power who disposed of the fate of battles;* and sculptured on astronomical tables, or on columns,! it expressed the divine wisdom which regulates the universe and enlightens man. * Authors quote a doubtful passage in Horapollo Hieroglyph, lib. 1. to support this opinion. That such rinss were worn by the ancient Egyptians is beyond conjecture, many remains of them, and some very perfect, have been found in the subterranean caverns and sepulchres in the Plain of Mummies near Saccara and Giza. Those which we have examined are remarkable for the convexity or full relievo of the figure sculptured on them; in some it is of the natural size of the insect, but generally smaller; the stone, cornelian, without a nm, and turning on a swivel ring of gold. t Linneeus says the Scarabseus sacer is sculptured on the antique Egyptian columns in Rome. " Hie in columnis antiquis Rom* exsculptus ab ^gyptiis." Syst. Nat. Does Linn^us allude to any remains of those colossal obelisks which Augustus transported to Rome when he subjugated Egypt, or others of more recent date ? It would increase the interest of our inquiries to learn that the Scarabteus was among the hieroglyphics, on the two very ancient obelisks, carried from Heliopolis, the city of the Sun. We are informed by ancient writers, that the Scarabccus engraved on the astronomical tables of these people, implied the divine Wisdom which governed the motion and order of the celestial bodies ; that those tables were huge and massy stones or columns of granite, with the characters and figures large and highly embossed ; in short, such as were supposed capable of long resistance to the corroding hand of time. Among those the Scarabaeus was probably the most conspicuous, its size gigantic, and the figure frequently repeated ; for this we have observed even on small Egyptian antiques. Various valuable remains of tablets, with figures of the Scarahceus sacer, are preserved in the British Museum and other collections of antiquities in this country. Those we have examined are of various descriptions, some smaller than the insect itself, others of a monstrous size. The stones on which they are sculptured generally green nephritic or jade stone, or a kind of basaltes, and black marble ; the figure basso relievo on a tablet or slab, but oftener in relievo, with the prominent characters of the insect very accurately defined, particularly the six dentations of the clypeus and those of the tibise. The reverse of the embossed side is flat and smooth, and abounds in characters altogether unknown, though, from the number of religious objects of worship occasionally interspersed, we may presume they contain an ample store of the ancient sacerdotal language : the most remarkable were the scarabseus, the sceptre and eye (Osiris), the human figure with a dog's head (Anubis), the hawk (Horus), and the Ibis, or sacred bird. On the thorax of one fine specimen we remarked four elegant figures. One of them is holding a cornucopia in the left hand, and a branch in the right : this is perhaps a subordinate deity of the Nile, that river having been once found de- pictured on an antique Alexandrian coin, like an aged man, holding the cornucopia, and a branch of the Papyrus ; denoting its abundance and produce. (In many of the mummies which have been recently unrolled in this country, carved Scarabaei have been found in various positions, especially upon the eye and breast of the body. — See Pettigrew's History of Mummies. J. O. W.) The digression on the mythological history of this insect may be considered by some as a tedious deviation from the pursuit of the naturalist ; with others we trust it will be more favourably received ; for it proves to the unprejudiced mind how deeply the history of nature, and in the present instance the science of Entomology, involves a most important enquiry into the first philosophical opinions of the human race. The means, how- ever trifling, must not be contemned, which illumine the most sublime of all human researches— The Study of Mankind. COLEOPTERA. GYMNOPLEURUS SINUATUS. Plate 1 . fig. 5. Genus. Gvmnopleurus, Ttliger. Ateuchus p. Fabricius. Co. Sp. Gymn. clypeo emarginato, niger subcupreus, antennarum apice flavo. Long. Corp. lin. 8. G. with the clypeus notched, black with a slight coppery tinge, tips of the antennas yellow. Length two-thirds of an inch. Syn. Ateuchus sinuatus, Fabricius Syst. Eleuth. 1. p. 60. Oliv. Ins. 1 . 3. tab. 10. /. 90. tab. 21. fig. 189. Scarabaeus Leei, Donovan, 1st edit. The Scarabaeus Leei of Fabricius (to which Donovan referred the insect here figured) is totally distinct, and is identical with the Scarabaeus fulgidus of Olivier. The original specimen, described by Fabricius, from the collection of the late Mr. Lee, is now in the collection of the Rev. F. W. Hope. COPRIS MOLOSSUS. Plate 2. fig. 1. Genus. Copris, Geoffroy. Scarabaeus, Linnaus. Ch. Sp. C. niger, thorace punctatissimo, retuso, bidentato, utrinque impresso ; clypeo lunato, $ unicorniintegro, elytris laevibus. Long. Corp. 1 unc. 4 lin. C. black, thorax very much punctured, retuse in front and bidentate, with two lateral impressions, clypeus lunate, the male having a single erect horn, elytra smooth. Length 1 j. inch. Syn. Scarabaeus Molossus, Linn. Syst. Nat. 1. W.p. 543. No. 8. Fabricius Syst. Eleuth. 1. p. 42. Herbst. Col. W.p. 178. t. 14. /. 1. Oliv, Ent. 3. p. 100. var. c. t. 5. /. 37. $ . Drury Ins. PI. 32. /. 2. 2nd edit. p. 64. S. Molossus and S. Bucephalus are very common in China. The first seems a local species ; the latter is said to be found in other parts of the East Indies. Olivier has given three varieties of Scarabaeus Molossus. The specimen figured in the annexed plate is the var. c. of that author. The larvae of the larger kinds of coleopterous insects, abounding in unctuous moisture, are not less esteemed as food among some modern nations, than they were by the epicures of antiquity. In Jamaica and other islands in the West Indies, the larva of the Prionus damicornis, or Macolcko beetle, is an article of luxurious food ; and in China many insects in that state are appropriated to the same purpose. Thus, also, the Romans introduced 6 COLEOPTERA. the larvee of the Lucani and Cerambyes in their voluptuous repasts ; previously feeding them on farinaceous substances to give consistence to the animal juices. The learned author of the last account we have of China, says, " Under the roots of the canes is found a large white grub, which being fried in oil is eaten as a dainty by the Chinese." Donovan suggests that perhaps this is the larva of Scarabseus Molossus, which, like many other of the Scarabsei,* may live sedentary in the ground, and subsist on the roots of plants : the general description and abundance of this insect in China favours such opinion. The same author observes in another part of his work, that " the aurelias of the silk worm which is cultivated in China, after the silk is wound off, furnish an article for the table." This also is a very ancient custom among the Asiatics, and even Europeans before the sixteenth century, if we may credit Aldrovandus :| it is certain the worms, if not the chrysalides, were administered in medicine in early ages.j Fabncius also expressly states that the insect here figured is medicinally employed in China. ONTHOPHAGUS SENICULUS. Plate 2. fig. 2\ and 2 b . Genus. Onthophagus, Latreille. Scarabeeus p. Fabncius, Donovan. Ch. Sp. O. thorace antice, clypeo postice bicorni, elytris substriatis strigis duabus baseos e punctis ferrugineis, punctoque uno alterove flavescente apicis. Long. Corp. lin.-5£. O. with the thorax in front, and the hinder part of the clypeus with two horns, elytra slightly striated, with two rows of basal pale spots and with two yellowish apical spots. Length nearly half an inch. Syn. Scarabeeus seniculus, Fab. Ent. Syst. \.p. 43. 142. Oliv. Ent. 1. 3. p. 124. t. 7. f. 56. a. b Panzer in Naturforscher, 24. t. l.f. 5. 2 Scarabeeus brevipes, Herbst. Archiv. t. 19. f. 16. Habitat. Tranquebar (Fabricius), China, Donovan, Weber MSS. The annexed figures exhibit the two sexes of Scarabasus Seniculus. In some speci- mens the spots are very indistinct and reddish ; in others the wing-cases have faint red striae. The female has the rudiments of horns on the thorax. * The larvae of the Scarabeei live in the trunks of decayed trees, in putrid and filthy animal substances, or in the earth. The last are the most injurious, because they destroy the roots of plants. All the known kind* of these larvee are of an unwieldy form and whitish colour, the skin free from hairs, and only the head and fore feet defended with a shelly covering. (As it is most probable that the habits of this large Copris are analogous to those of the English C. lunaris, I should be rather inclined to regard the cane grub mentioned in the above extract as the larva of a Calandra. J. O. W.) t The German soldiers sometimes fry and eat silk worms. Aldrov. X Silk worms dried, powdered, and put on the crown of the head, help the vertigo and convulsions ; mun- dify or cleanse the blood, &c. &c. Schroderus, Serapio, fyc. S,-c. COLEOPTERA. COPRIS BUCEPHALUS. Plate 2. fig. 3. Genus. Copris, Geoffroy. Scarabaeus p. Linn. $r. Cn. Sp. C. thorace retuso quadridentato, capitis clypeo angulato, cornu $ brevi erecto baud emarginato, $ breviori truncato subemarginato. Long. Corp. unc. 1, lin. 8. C. with the thorax retuse in front and 4-toothed, clypeus angulated, the male with a short erect horn not notched at the tip, the female with a much shorter and truncated horn. Length 1-|. inch. Syx. Scarabaeus Bucephalus, Fabricius Ent. Sijst. 1. p. 51. 166. Herbst. Col. II. p. 174. t. 13./. 1. 2. Oliv. I. 3. 99. t. 4./. 26. t. 10. /. 92. t. 22. /. 92. $ This species has been confounded with C. Molossus. Both species are here repre- sented on the same plate, in order that the difference between them may be precisely observed. CETONIA (TETRAGONA) CHINENSIS. Plate 3. fig. 1 and 1". Family. Cetoniid^e. Genus. Cetonia, Fabricius. Scarabaeus p. Linnaus, Donovan. Sub-Gen. Tetragon a, Gory. Ch. Sp. C. viridi-aenea, clypeo emarginato, thorace postice lobato, elytris acuminatis, corpore subtus pedibusque subspinosis, castaneis, tarsis nigris. Long. Corp. unc. 1 , lin. (J. C. brassy green, clypeus notched and slightly spined, thorax lobed behind, elytra acuminated, body beneath, with the legs, chestnut-coloured, tarsi black. Length 1J inch. Syn. Scarabaeus Chinensis, Forster Cent. Ins. I. p. 2. 2. Cetonia Chinensis, Fabr. Ent. Syst. I. II. p. 126. b. Oliv. Ent. I. 6. p. 11. t. 2. /. 5. a. b. Herbst. Col. III. p. 199. 2. t. 28./. 2. Scarabaeus oblongus, Brown Illustr. t. 49. /. 4. Smaragdinus major, Voet. Col. t. 5./. 40. COLEOPTERA. EUCHLORA VIRIDIS. Plate 3. fig. 2. Family. Melolonthidje, Mac Leay. Genus. Euchlora, Mac Leay. Scarabaeus p. Linnaus, $c. E. supra viridis subtilissime punctata, subtus cum pedibus aurea vel cupreo-senea. Long. Corp. lin. 11. E. green above, and very finely punctured, body beneath with the legs golden or coppery bronze coloured. Length nearly 1 inch. Melolontha viridis, Fabricius Eni. Syst. I. II. p. 160. no. 23. Oliv. Ent. 1. 5. p. 29. 31. t. 3. /. 21. Herbst. Col. III. p. 149, t. 26./. 5. Mac Leay, Hor* Entomol. 1. p. 148. (Euchlora v.) Ch. Sp. Syn. RHINASTUS STERNICORNIS. Plate 4. fig. 1. Tribe. Rhy'ncophora, Latreille. Family. CurculioniDjE, Leach. Division. Cholides, Schonherr. ■ Genus. Rhinastus, Schonherr. Cholus p. Germar. Curculio p. Donovan. Ch. Sp. Rh. longirostris, femoribus dentatis, corpore polline flavescente obtecto lateribus nigris, rostro utrinque spinoso. Long. Corp. (sine rostro) lin. 1 1 . Rh. with the rostrum long, with a short spine on each side at the tip, thighs toothed, body clothed with a fine yellow powder, except a black stripe ou the sides of the thorax and elytra. Length (without the rostrum) nearly 1 inch. Syn". Rhinastus sternicornis, Schonherr. Syst. Curcul. vol. 3. p. 558. Cholus sternicornis, Germar. Ins. spec. 1. p. 214. t. l.f. 4. Curculio Chinensis, Donovan, 1st edit. This insect seems nearly allied to Curculio mucoreus, an Indian species, described by Linnseus, but not figured by any author : the lateral stripe of black, and the denticulations on the posterior thighs of our insect clearly remove it, however, from the Linnsean species. Except the lateral black stripes, and the rostrum, this insect is totally covered with a bright brown powder, or rather, with very minute hairs which adhere but slightly, and resemble that substance. We observe a similar farinaceous appearance on the Curculiones, Lacteus, Niveus, &;c. and especially on that gigantic beetle Scarabceus Elephas. **5S£f»* °8te- / ^lJj/l^J^/J < 3 /ll?4'7U<&m&. J ' w T 4-&&A O. <■ 'P-77//J 6 '/A COLEOPTERA. I have not the least doubt that this insect is identical with the Brazilian species, Rhinastus sternicornis, of Schonherr, although the specific name given to it by Donovan implies it to be a native of China. Some mistake had doubtless arisen relative to the original country of which it is an inhabitant which led our author into this error CALANDRA LONGIPES. Plate 4. fig. 2. Division. Rhyncophorides, Schonherr. Genus. Calandra, Fabricius. Rhyncophorus, Herbst. Curculio p. Linn, fyc. Ch. Sp. C. nigricans ; elytris ferrugineis, rostro apice utrinque reflexo (in uno sexu dorso bi serrato,) pedibus anticis elongatis. Long. Corp. (excl. rostro lin. 13.) C. blackish-brown, elytra ferruginous; rostrum, with the apex on each side reflexed, and in one sex with the upper edge doubly serrated, the fore legs long. Length 13 lines. Syn. Curculio longipes, Fabricius, Ent. Syst. 2. 395. Syst. Eleuth. 2. 431. Oliv. Ins. 83. tab. 86. fg. 191. (See Drury, Illustr. vol. 2. t. 33.) In his earlier works, Fabricius erroneously gave the Cape of Good Hope as the locality for this very common Chinese species. RHINA BARBIROSTRIS. Plate 4. fig. 3. Genus. Rhina, Latreille. Curculio p. Donovan, Sj-c. Ch. Sp. Rh. longirostris ; niger, rostro barbato, tibiis anticis tridentatis. Long. Corp. (rostr. excl.) lin. 1 1. Rh. with a long rostrum, its sides thickly clothed with hairs on the male, black, punctured, anterior tibiae long and armed with three spines beneath. Length without the rostrum 1 1 lines. Syn. Curculio barbirostris, Fabricius Ent. Syst. I. p. 2. 418. Rhina barbirostris, Latreille Genera, vol. 2. p. 269. Donovan, misled by the Fabrician reference of this insect to the locality " In Indus," introduced it into the present work. It is, however, a native of South America. Drury has figured the female of another species in his Illustrations, vol. 2. pi. 34. f. 2. from the Island of Johanna. c COLEOPTERA. HIPPORHINUS VERRUCOSUS. Plate 4. fig. 4. Division. Entimides, Schonherr. Genus. Hipporiiinus, Schonh. Hipporhis, Bilberg. Curculio p. Auct. Cn. Sp. H. elongato-ovatus, niger, seneo-micans, thorace confertim tuberculato, elytris seriato- tuberculatis apice singulatim verruca crassa auctis. Long. Corp. lin. 9. H. elongate-ovate, of a black colour, slightly tinged with brass, thorax closely tubercled, elytra with three rows of elevated warts on each, with intermediate double rows of punctures, and a large tubercle at the tip of each. Length | inch. Syn. Curculio verrucosus, Linn. Syst. Nat. I. II. p. 618. Fabricius Syst. Eleuth. 2. 534. Schonh. Syn. Ins. Curcul. \.p. 481. Drury Illustr. l.pt. 32. f. 5. Donovan correctly referred this insect to the Curculio verrucosus, but incorrectly gave it as an inhabitant of China. This species, as well as the numerous insects of which the genus Hipporhinus is composed, are inhabitants of the Cape of Good Hope or New Holland. HYPOMECES SQUAMOSUS. Plate 4. fig. 5. magn. nat. Plate 5. idem magn. auct. Plate 4. fig. 6. idem, var. ft. Division. Braciiyderides, Schonherr. Genus. Hypomeces, Sch. Curculio p. Auct. Cn. Sr. H. oblongus, niger, squamulis viridi-aureis undique tectus, thorace supra fere piano, ruguloso, longitudinaliter canaliculate elytris subtiliter punctato striatis. Lon^. Corp. lin. 7. H. oblong black, entirely covered with golden green scales, thorax nearly flat above. and rugose with a longitudinal canal, elytra slightly punctate-striate. Length 7 lines. Var. ft. Corpore squamulis cinerascentibus undique tecto. Entirely clothed with grev scales. r • Syn. Curculio squamosus, Fabricius Ent. Syst. 1. p. 2. 452 Syst Eleuth 2 510 Oliv. Ent. 5. p. ,319. t. 5.f. 48. a. b. Schonherr Syn. Ins. Cureul. 2. p. 71.' Var. ft. Schonherr loc cit. Curculio pulverulentus, Fabricius Syst. Eleuth. 2. 510 Do- novan, 1st. edit. Curculio orientalis, Oliv. Ent. v. p. 321. t. 6. f. 66? A small, but superb species, being totally covered with minute scales of an oblono- torm, and resplendent green colour, interspersed with changeable sparks of gold and i ■//■//{ '/// 1 v t y >y (/////?// /;///,/ Sri@* ^*fc /..r^y //^^r/ - ///////,./. "-■ V ; V/ c // ■-?. ^. //////{/ e&fo COLEOPTERA. , , cnmson, in various reflections of light. This scaly covering is not unlike that of Poly- drus»s argentatus found in England ; but of a brilliance scarcely inferior to the gem-like spangles on the Entimus imperialis of Brazil.— Hypomeces squamous is represented in its natural size, in the annexed plate ; and, in justice to an insect of such uncommon beauty, an additional plate is given, to exhibit its appearance in the opaque microscope. — It is extremely common in China. The insect represented in fig. 6 is entirely black when divested of its scaly covering Fabricius considered it as specifically distinct from H. squamosus, which opinion was adopted by Donovan. It is, however, considered by Schonherr, and other recent writers, as a variety only of that species, the C. unicolor, Fabr. and C. rusticus, Weber, being also equally regarded as varieties. CLEONIS PERLATUS. Plate 4. fig. 7. Division. Cleoxides, Schonherr. Genus. Cleonis, Schonherr. Cleonus, Dejean. Curculio p. Linn. fyc. Cri. Sp. Cleonis niger, subtus dense, supra tenuiter cinereo-albido tomentosus, thorace vittis sub-tribus albidis notato, elytris punctato-striatis, ventre tuberculis numerosis glabris atris notato. Long. Corp. lin. 6. C. black ; beneath densely, above slightly clothed with greyish scales, thorax with three slight whitish stripes; elytra punctate-striate, abdomen marked with nu- merous black smooth tubercles. Length h inch. Svx. Curculio perlatus, Fabricius Syst. El. 11. p. 516. Lixus faunus, Oliv. Ent. V. p. 267. t. 24. /. 342. LAMIA RUBUS. Plate 6. fig. 1. Tribe. Lokgicornes, Latr. (Cerambyx Linn.) Family. Lamiid.e. Grams. Lamia, Fabricius. Cerambyx p. Linn, 8fC. Ch. Sp. L. grisea, thorace utrinque spinoso bimaculato, elytris basi scabris, humeris apiceque mucronatis, albo-guttatis. Long. Corp. unc. 1. lin. 9. L erey coloured, thorax on each side with a spine and with two oblong spots on the ' back, elytra rough at the base, with the shoulders and apex spmed, spotted with white. Length 1| inch. Syn. Cerambyx Rubus, Linn. Syst. Nat. 1. II. 625. 21. Lamia Rubus, Fabricius Ent. Syst. 2. 290. Ohv. Ent. 6/. t. 1 . f. ,7. c .i ■ o fi-.Mnrl in China It is also very abundant in This is the largest species of this genus found in cnma. j iiiis ie Lut & r , • nheervations upon its habits have different parts of the East Indies. Some interesting observatio p 1-2 COLEOPTERA. been published by W. W. Saunders, Esq. F. L. S. in the first part of the Transactions of the Entomological Society of London. LAMIA RETICULATOR. Plate 6. fig. 2. Cii. Sp. L. nigra, thorace elytrisque fulvis, thorace nigro-lineato, elytris reticulatis, antennarum articulo 3"" fasciculate Long. Corp. lin. 13. L. black, thorax and elytra rich golden brown, the former marked with black lines, and the latter with irregular black marks, antennae with the third joint furnished with a whorl of hairs. Length 13 lines. Syn. Lamia reticulator, Fabricius Ent. Syst. \. p. 2. 278. no. 44. Oliv. Ins. 67. tab. 12. /. 8.5. This is altogether a beautiful insect ; but the singular structure of the antenna- deserves particular notice : it is entirely brown except the first articulation, which is black ; the third has a large verticillated tuft of black hair at the summit ; at the base of this articulation it has another tuft, but smaller; and a similar tuft, but still smaller, is situated on the two following articulations. LAMIA PUNCTATOR. Plate 6. fig. 3. Ch. Sp. L. atra, elytris albo punctatis, antennis longis articulis albo uigroque variis. Long. Corp. 1 unc. 3 lin. L. black shining, the elytra with farinaceous white spots, the antennae long, the joints varied with black and white. Length 1^ inch. Syn. Lamia punctator, Fabr. Sp. Ins. 1. 221. 30. Syst. Eleuth. 2. 298. Oliv. Ent. 4. 69. t. 8./. 50. a. b. Schonh. Syn. Ins. 3. p. 386. Cerambyx Chinensis, Forster Cent. Ins. 39. Cimex farinosus, Drury, Edit. 1™ vol. 2. pi. 31. /. 4. Donovan, Edit. l ina (nee Linn. Syst. Nat. 1. 2.626.) Donovan states that among some Chinese drawings of the late Mr. Bradshaw, he observed one on which the metamorphosis of this insect was delineated. The larva was partly concealed in the hollow of a piece of decayed wood ; it was of a whitish colour, with the head and tail black, as described by Fabricius. The true Cerambyx farinosus of Linnaeus, with which this insect was confounded by Donovan, is an inhabitant of South America. / '-Sy,'/j///r(£j/& /////////. " ^ ?&Z/ //////(>< vz ORTHOPTERA. GRYLLOTALPA CHINENS1S. Plate 12. fig. 2. Family. Achetidje. (Gryllus Aclieta, Linn.) Genus. Gryllotalpa, Latreille. _Ch. Sp. G. luteo fulvescens, tibiis anticis 4-dentatis. Long. Corp. 1 unc. G. of a fulvous-clay colour, anterior tibise with four teeth. Length 1 inch. Sy*n. G. Chinensis, Westiv. Grvllus Gryllotalpa, Donovan, ]st edition. The genus of Mole-crickets, Gryllotalpa, comprises several distinct, although very closely allied species, the inhabitants of various countries, differing especially in the number of teeth of the anterior tibise and the neuration of the tegmina. Donovan regarded them as varieties only, observing that the species here figured " differs in no respect from the European species except in size and colour," the English mole-cricket " beino; twice as large and of more of a mouse colour." LOCUSTA (PHYMATEA) MORBILLOSA. Plate 13. Family. Locustidx. Genus. Locust a. Sue-Gen. Phymatea, Westiv. Phymateus, Thunberg, Serville. Cn. St. L. thorace quadrato, rubro, verrucoso ; elytris fuscis, flavido punctatis ; alis rutis, nigro punctatis. Expans. alar. 4J unc. L. with the thorax squarish, red, warty ; elytra bluish-brown, with pale yellow spots ; wings red, with black spots. Expanse of the wings 4j- inches. Syn. Gryllus morbillosus, Linn. Syst. Nat. 2. 700. (e Cap. Bon Spei). Fabricius Ent. " Syst. 2. p. .50. Serville Revis. Orthopt. p. 86. (Phymateus m.) Donovan states that « the Gryllus morbillosus appears in the early edition of the Systema Natura and the works of Roesel as an Indian species, and that Mr. Drury assured him he had received it several times from China. Another sort is also found at the Cape of Good Hope, which is rather larger and deeper in colour than the Chinese variety." If this be correct, it will, I apprehend, be necessary to consider these two sorts as E 26 ORTHOPTERA. distinct species, to retain the specific name morbillosus for the African species, and to give a new name to the Chinese species. When this insect is at rest, the wings are folded and much of its beauty is concealed ; but when these are expanded, its appearance is altogether magnificent. It has nothing of the shining and metallic splendour of the Coleoptera, for its colours are translucent, and assume their richest hues when they pass before the light. The elytra are purple, variegated with yellow ; the wings of a glowing crimson, spotted with black ; the abdomen is surrounded with alternate zones of black and yellow, and the le°-s are throughout of an elegant scarlet, inferior only in brightness to the coral red of the head and thorax. Upon the whole, this species is embellished with such a profusion of various and beautiful colours, that it may be considered as a most splendid example of the Linnsean Hemipterous order of insects. It is represented on the Iris Chinensis in a flying position. This is not supposed to be a numerous species in China ; on the contrary, it is probably uncommon. Several others of the locust are abundant in that country, and in seasons favourable to their increase do incredible mischief.* Both the Locusta tartarica and Locusta migratoria inhabit Tartary on the northern confines of China, from whence, at certain periods, they descend like an impetuous torrent over the neighbouring countries in quest of food, strip the earth of verdure, and scarcely leave the vestige of vegetation behind them. The Locusta migratoria, whose myriads are said to darken the face of heaven in their flights, sometimes direct their course westward, cross rivers, sea, and an immense extent of country, till they reach Europe ; and though many are lost in these bold migrations, the survivors are in sufficient numbers to commit vast depredations. This species has been known to visit England,! but not in any abundance. In Little Tartary and the European provinces of Turkey, in Italy, and in Germany,^ th ey do great mischief in these migrations. The Locusta flavicornis and " Famines sometimes happen in this part of the province; in some seasons inundations produced bv torrents from the mountains, and as often the depredations of locusts, are causes of this d.saster " (Sir J. Staunton, Chap, on Tien-sing.) t The last appearance of this species in England was in 1748. Donovan had specimens of it from Smyrna Germany, and China, and deemed it too common and general an inhabitant to merit a figure as a Chinese insect. t Roesel speaks of this locust infesting the provinces of Wallachia, Moldavia, and Transylvania in such immense numbers in the years 1747, 1748, and 1749, that an Imperial and Royal Hungarian edicts issued, with pnnted instructions for the best means of exterminating them. (Der Heuschrecken-und UnUensammlung, Sfc. fyc. vol. II. page 193.) .» ~I./V.y/vv/ WatfiddM-rtsz. HEMIPTERA. nasuta are two other abundant species in China, and no doubt there are many other common kinds in that country we are at present unacquainted with. The locust is only detrimental when in immense numbers ; for in China, as in other eastern countries, they are considered as an article of food, and regularly exposed for sale in the public markets.* Order. HEMIPTERA. Linnaeus, Latreille. FULGORA CANDELARIA. Plate 14. Sub-Order. Homoptera, Latreille. Family. Fulgorid*. Genus. Fulgora, Linnaeus. Ch. Sp. F. fronte rostrata, adscendente ; elytris viridibus luteo-maculatis ; alis flavis apice nigris. Expans. alar. 3 unc. F. with the forehead produced into an ascending rostrum ; elytra green, spotted with luteous ; wings yellow buff, with the tips black. Expanse of the wings 3 inches. Syn. Fulgora candelaria, Linn. Syst. Nat. 2. 703. Roesel Ins. 2. 189. £.20. Sulzer Ins. t. 10. /. 62. Fab. Ent. Syst. 4. p. 2. Syst. Rh. p. 2. De Geer Ins. 3. 197. 2. Act. Holm. 1746. t.X.f. 5. 6. The phenomena resulting from the properties and effects of light having engaged the attention of the earliest philosophers, we must conclude that phosphorical appearances, and those especially of animated bodies, could not fail to attract their particular notice. Indeed it is evident from the writings of the accurate observers of nature in remote ages, that they were acquainted with certain insects that have the property of shining in the night. These were known only by general terms, expressive of that property ; yet it is probable that some of the Linnsean Lampyrides, which are abundant in the south of Europe, as well as in Asia and some parts of Africa, were the first of the illuminated * Sir G. Staunton likewise speaks of" a large species of Gryllus " that is kept in cages for amusement in China, and was exposed for sale with other insects in the shops of Hai-ten. Neither the species of this, or the locusts noticed in the preceding note, are mentioned. (This remark evidently applies to the Mantidse men- tioned in the note to Empusa flabellicornis.) HEMIPTERA. insects known to them.* Some of the males, which are furnished with wings and are illuminated like the females, were striking objects of natural history, and could scarcely have escaped their notice. The Greeks included all shining insects under the name lampyns ; and the Latins called them cicindela, noctiluca, luciola, lucernata, &c. Whether any of the Fulgora were known to the ancients is uncertain ; probably they were not, the most remarkable species being peculiar to the warmest parts of America. Asia, once the seat of learning, does indeed produce a few species ; but we have no account of these in ancient natural history. The Fulgora; seem to have been entirely unknown in Europe till the latter end of the seventeenth century, when two writers published descriptions and figures of Fulgora Laternaria ; Madame Merian, of Holland, in her splendid work on the Metamorphoses of the Insects of Surinam, and Dr. Grew, of London, in his Rarities of Gresham College. Reaumurf is the next author who described the Fulgora Laternaria, and after him Roesel, in his " Amusing History (or Recreation) of Insects. "J This brings us to the period in which Fulgora Candelaria, our Chinese species, was first known in Europe ; a circumstance of much importance to naturalists at that time, because the first-mentioned species was a solitary example of its singular genus. The transactions of the Stockholm academy includes the earliest figure and description of this extraordinary insect. Roesel has given three figures and a description of it, and from his account we learn that it was known in England before he was acquainted with it. On its peculiar qualities he had been unable to derive any information concerning it, but his description is notwithstanding extremely prolix. We have selected the most interesting passage, because it clearly marks the progressive advancement of the knowledge of natural history in Europe so late as the middle of the present century. " According to my promise," says Roesel, § " I now produce the second sort of Lantern-carrier, which I never saw before, and of which I have never read in any work on insects. The scarcer, however, it may be, the more I am indebted to Mr. Beurer, apothecary of this place,|| &c. for the permission he has granted me to draw and enrich my collection with it. Mr. Collinson has sent it to him from London, under the name * The lampyris of Pliny is expressly the insect with a shining tail, f Memoires pour servir a 1'Histoire des Insectes. 1734. X Inseeten Belustigung. % Versprochener massen liefere ich nunmehr die zweite Soite des Lanternen-Tragers, &c. Vol. i. pi. 30. Locust, page 189. || Nurenberg. HEMIPTERA. 29 Lanternaria Chinensis, for which reason I have called it the Asiatic or Chinese Lantern- carrier." Roesel being- a respectable entomological writer of his time, we must infer that Fulgora Candelaria was extremely scarce in Europe when his plate and descriptions were published. The commercial concerns of Europeans with the Chinese having greatly increased since that period, has facilitated many inquiries concerning the natural productions of China ; and amongst a variety of other insects that are now usually brought from that country, specimens of Fulgora Candelaria are extremely common. In China, few insects are found in greater abundance. Having noticed the early history of this insect, we come to consider the peculiar pro- perties of its singular genus ; upon which the following observations were made by our author : " Among these we find the most astonishing that insects can possess, that of ema- nating light; not merely a momentary shining appearance, as is produced by many viscous substances, but a clear and constant resemblance to the element fire, and capable of diffusing light to surrounding objects, though totally destitute of every principle that can do mischief. To the unphilosophical mind it appears at first impossible, and it cannot fail to astonish the best informed ; indeed, some readers might be inclined to doubt the veracity of travellers in foreign countries who have seen a vegetable* or an animal produce light, if our own country could not supply us with abundant analogous proofs of such phenomena. The presence of this animated phosphorus, if we may so express it, is observed on several insects that are natives of England ; it is needless to enumerate them, because the most striking example must be recollected by every rural inhabitant or admirer of poetical simplicity : ' On every hedge The glow-worm lights his gem, and through the dark A moving radiance twinkles.' Thomson. " The account which Madame Merian gave of the effect of the light produced by the Fulgora Laternaria\ was greatly discredited, though Dr. Grew had related some sur- * An instance of this occurs in the south of Europe. An account in the Philosophical Transactions relates of the Dictamnus Albus (Fraxinella), that " in the still evenings of dry seasons it emits an inflammable air, or gas, and flashes at the approach of a candle. There are certain instances of human creatures who have taken fire spontaneously, and been totally consumed." f The account which Madame Merian has given of the light of the Fulgora Laternaria is so surprising, that it will certainly prove acceptable to many readers. It is indeed a digression from the account of Fulgora Candelaria, but will tend to prove, that insects of this genus emit a more vivid light than any of the illuminated kinds hitherto known. " Once," says Madame Merian, " when the Indians brought me a number of these Lantern-carriers, I put HEMIPTERA. prising particulars of a specimen of it from Peru.* Her account has, however, been generally believed since the missionaries! in countries which produce those insects have confirmed her account. It is admitted that the Chinese Fulgora has an illuminated appearance in the night. ' The foreheads of many Fulgora (especially those found in China) emit a lively shining light in the night-time, which, according to some authors, is sufficient to read by.' — Yeats. 1 " The light of the Fulgora is generally imagined to issue from the trunk, or elongated projection of the forehead ; but Roesel offers a conjecture on the light of the Fulgora Laternaria, which, on further investigation, may enable naturalists to determine whether the light is entirely produced by an innate property of the trunk, or receives additional splendour from some external cause. He notices a white farinaceous sub- stance on several parts of the wings and body as well as the trunk, which, he observes, looks like the decayed wood which shines at night. We mention this conjecture of Roesel, though the same occurred to us before we perused his observations. We have invariably found a similar white powder on other insects of this genus, but usually upon the trunk only. The remarks of Roesel were necessarily very limited, two species of the Fulgora only being then known. We possess twelve distinct species, and have made dissections and observations on several others ; from all which we are inclined to imagine them into a wooden box, without being aware of their shining at night; but one night, bein°- awakened by an unusual noise, and much frightened, I jumped out of bed and ordered a light, not knowing whence this noise proceeded. We soon perceived that it originated in the box ; we opened with some inquietude, but were still more alarmed after opening it, and letting it fall on the ground, for a flame appeared to issue from it, which seemed to receive additional lustre as often as another insect flew out of it. When we observed this some time we recovered from our terror, and admired the splendour of these little animals." Dissert, de generatione et metamorphibus Insectorum Surinameyisis. * Cucujus Peruvianus. " That which, beside the figure of the head, is most wonderful in this insect, is the shining property of the same part, whereby it looks in the night like a lantern, so that two or three of these fastened to a stick, or otherwise conveniently disposed of, will give sufficient light to those who travel or walk in the night." Grew. Museum Regalis Societatis , p . 158. t Le ver-luisant. Ceux que nous voyons a la campagne dans les nuits d'ete ne jettent qu'une foible lueur : mais ds y en a dans les Indes modernes qui repandent un eclat tres-vif. Ce sont, pour ainsi dire, des phosphores animez. " Les Indiens," dit le savant auteur de la Theologie des Insectes, " ne se servoient autrefois dans leurs maisons, et dehors d'aucunc autre lumiere. Lorsqu'ils marchent de nuit, ils en attachent deux aux gros doigts du pied, et en portent un a la main. Ccs insectes repandent une si grande clarte, que par leur moyen on peut lire, ecrire, et faire dans une chambre toutes les autres choses neeessaires." Lesser. Liv. 2. c. 3. rem. S. " Le trait rapporte par le P. du Tertue dans son Histoire des Antilles, auroit bien du etre cite, il dit avoir lu son breviare a la clarte d'un de ces vers-luisans." I Yeats. Institutions of Entomology. ' £,<,. ' • "V / '^Z ^y^ . ' ,'V / ^ , ////?'//6/7 . ■J , (S'-e. ZtY 1 /? tJ /// '' /^ V/7/Z/sZ, < '. -/ / ' HEMIPTERA. 39 One of the most beautiful species of the Indian Cicada?. The wing cases are black, elegantly reticulated, and spotted with bright blue. At the extremity of the abdomen it has a tuft of long and very delicate hairs, intermixed with others that are rather con- voluted and of a coarser texture. The whole of this insect, but particularly between the abdomen and wings, is sometimes profusely covered with a fine powder of a snowy white- ness, similar to that observed on the Flata limbata in the imperfect state ; hence we may conclude it is also one of those insects which furnish the white wax* so highly esteemed in China. CICADA SPLENDIDULA. Plate 16. fig. 4. Ch. Sp. C. elytris fusco-aureis, femoribus anticis incrassato-dentatis rufis. Long. Corp. alls claus. § unc. C. with golden brown elytra, the anterior femora incrassated, toothed and red, thorax and scutellum varied with yellow and black. Length, with the wings closed, I inch. Svx. Cicada splendidula, Fabricius Ent. Syst. 4. p. 25. Syst. Rhyng. p. 42. Figured from the unique specimen in the collection of Mr. Drury, described by Fabricius. CERCOPIS ABDOMINALIS. Plate 16. fig. 5. Family. CercopiDjE. Genus. Cercopis, Fabricius. Cn. Sp. C. atra nitida, thorace immaculato, elytris basi fasciaque media flavescentibus ; ab- domine sanguineo. Long. Corp. alis clausis ^ unc. C. black shining, thorax without spots, elytra w ith the base and a central fascia yellowish, abdomen sanguineous. Length, with the wings shut, |. inch. Svs. Cicada abdominalis, Donovan, \st Edit. Cercopis Heros ? Fabr. Syst. Rhyng. p. 89. * Vide Sir G. Staunton's Hist. Emb. China. 40 HEMIPTERA. TETTIGONIA FRONTALIS. Plate 16. fig. 6. Genus. Tettigonia, Latreille, Germar. Ch. Sp. T. pallida, occipite thoraceque punctis quinque nigris, fronte puncto nigro inter oculos, elytris sanguineis. Epans. alar, fere 1 uric. T. pale, with five black spots on the head and thorax, and one in front between the eyes, elytra red. Expanse of the wings nearly 1 inch. Syn. Cicada frontalis, Donovan, ~\st Edit. Cicada caeruleipennis ? Fab. Syst. Rh. p. 73. FLATA NIGRICORNIS. Plate 17. Genus. Flata, Fabricius. Ch. Sp. F. exalbida, alis deflexis, elytris punctis marginis interioris antennisque nigns. Expans. alar, fere 2 unc. F. whitish, with the wings deflexed, the elytra being spotted with black along the posterior margin, antennee black. Expanse of the wings nearly 2 inches. Syn. Flata nigricornis, Fabr. Syst. Rhyng.p. 45. Cicada limbata, var. Fab. Sp. Ins. 2. p. 322. Donovan, \st Edit. This singular insect, and the plant on which it is represented, have an equal claim to attention, both as objects of natural curiosity, and importance in domestic economy. The larva is an elegant and beautiful creature, and China is indebted to its labours for the fine white wax so much esteemed in the East Indies. The plant is not less in- teresting, as it produces the vegetable tallow, in general use throughout the Chinese empire. The novelty of these productions could not fail attracting the notice of those learned Europeans who were first permitted to reside in China, and whose object was to promote sciences and arts, as well as the christian knowledge. Both the Wax-insect and Tallow- tree are spoken of in their writings as extraordinary and peculiar advantages to the country. Du Halde, especially in his splendid work THistoire de la Chine, treats largely on these productions, in the sections Cire blanche d'Insectes et I'arbre qui porte It suif. His relations are, perhaps, too prolix, but they are evidently the result of attentive //tz/a: // //// v> / •/'// /./ HEMIPTERA. 41 observation, and serve to illustrate the Natural History, and economical purposes of the subjects we are noticing. The following is the account given by the author : " De la Cire Blanche, faite par des insectes, et nomine" e Tchang pe la, cest-a-dire, Cire blanche d'insectes. — Ki dit. La Cire blanche dont il s'agit ici, n'est pas la meme que la cire blanche des Abeilles. Ce sont de petits insectes qui la forment. Ces insectes succent le sue de l'espece d'arbves nominee Tong tcin, et a la longue ils le changent en une sorte de graisse blanche, qu'ils attachent aux branches de l'arbre. " II y en a qui disent que e'est la fiente de ces insectes, qui s'attachant a l'arbre, forme cette Cire, mais ils se trompent. On la tire en raclant les branches dans la saison de 1'Automne ; on la fait fondre sur le feu, et l'ayant passee, on la verse dans l'eau froide ou elle se hge, et se forme en pains. Quand on l'a rompue, on voit dans les morceaux brisez, des veines comme dans la pierre blanche ou congelation nominee Pe che cao ; elle est polie et brillante : on la mele avec de l'huile, et on en fait des chandelles. Elle est beaucoup superieure a. celles que font les Abeilles. " Chi tchin dit. Ce n'est que sous la Dynastie des Yuen qu'on a commence a con- noitre la cire formee par ces insectes. L'usage en est devenu fort commun, soit dans la medecine, soit pour faire des bougies. II s'en trouve dans les Provinces de Se tchuen de Hon quang, de Yunnan, de Fo kien, de Tche kiang, de Kiang nan, et generalement dans tous les quartiers du Sud-Est. Celle qu'on ramasse dans les Provinces de Se tchuen et d' Yunnan, et dans les territoires de Hen tcheou, et de Yung tcheou est la meilleure. " L'arbre qui porte cette cire, a les branches, et les feiiilles semblables a. celles du Tong cin. II conserve sa verdure durant toutes les saisons : II pousse des fleurs blanches en bouquets durant la cinquieme Lune ; il porte des fruits en bayes, gros comme le fruit du Kin rampant. " Quand ils ne sont pas murs, ils sont de couleur verte ; et ils deviennent noiratres, lorsqu'ils murissent, au lieu que le fruit de Tong cin est rouge. Les insectes qui s'y attachent sont fort petits. Quand le soleil parcourt les quinze derniers degrez des Gemeaux, ils se repandent en grimpant sur les branches de l'arbre; ils en tirent le sue, et jettent par la bouche une certaine bave, qui s'attachant aux branches encore tendres, se changent en une graisse blanche, laquelle se durcit, et prend la forme de cire. On diroit que e'est de la gelee blanche que le froid a durcie. " Quand le soleil parcourt les quinze premiers degrez du Signe de la Vierge, on fait la recolte de la Cire, en l'enlevant de dessus les branches. Si Ton tliffere a la cueillir que le Soleil ait entierement parcouru ce Signe, il est difficile de la detacher, meme en la raclant. " Ces insectes sont blancs quand ils sont jeunes, et e'est alors qu'ils font leur cire. G HEMIPTERA. Quands ils deviennent vieux, ils sont dun chatain qui tire sur le noir. C'est alors que formant de petits pelotons, ils s'attachent aux branches de l'arbre. Ces pelotons sont au commencement de la grosseur dun grain de mil : vers l'entree du printernps ils com- mencement a grossir et a s'etendre. Ils sont attachez aux branches de l'arbre en forme cle grappes, et a les voir, on diroit que l'arbre est charge de fruits. Quand ils sont sur le point de mettre bas leurs ceufs, ils font leur nid de meme que les chenilles. Chacun de ce nids ou pelotons contient plusieurs centaines de petits ceufs blancs. * u Dans le tems que le soleil parcourt la seconde moitie du Taureau on les cueille, et les ayant enveloppez clans des feiiilles de Yo (espece de simple a larges feiiilles) ; on les suspend a differens arbres. Apres que le Soleil est sorti du Signe de Gemaux, ces pelotons s'ouvrent, et les ceufs produisent des insectes, qui sortant les uns apres les autres des feiiilles dont ils sont enveloppez, montent sur l'arbre ou ils font ensuite leur cire. " On doit avoir soin d'entretenir le dessous de l'arbre toujours propre, et de le garantir des fourmis qui mangent ces insectes. On voit deux autres arbres auxquels on peut attacher les insectes, et qui porteront egalement de la cire ; l'un qui se nomme Tien tcha, et l'autre qui est un espece d arbre aquatique, dont les feiiilles ressemblent assez a celles du Tilleul. " Qualitez et effects de cette cire. — Elle est d'une nature qui n'est ni froide ni chaude, et qui n'a aucune qualite nuisible. Elle fait croitre Its chairs, elle arrete le sana\ elle apaise les douleurs, elle retablit les forces, elle unit les nerfs ; et rejoint les os, prise en poudre dont on forme de pillules, elles fait mourir les vers qui causent la phtisie. " Tchi hen dit. La Cire blanche est sous la denomination du metal : ses esprits corroborent, fortifient, et sont propres a ramasser et a resserrer. C'est une drogue absolument necessaire aux chirurgiens : elle a des effects admirables, quand on la fait entrer avec de la peau cle Ho hoang dans la composition de 1'onguent, qui fait renaitre et croitre les chairs." Du Halde, Vol. IV. p. 495, large Folio, 1735. Sir G. Staunton, in his learned work, has also described the Wax insect ; he found it at Turon Bay, in Cochin China, and has caused it to be represented in a vio-nette plate, with the following description. " Among other objects of natural curiosity, accident led to the observation of some swarms of uncommon insects busily employed upon small branches of a shrub, then neither in fruit nor flower, but in its general habit bearing somewhat the appearance of a privet. These insects, each not much exceeding the size of the domestic fly, were of a curious structure, having pectinated appendages rising in a curve, bending towards the head, not unlike the form of the tail feathers^ of the common fowl, but in the opposite direction. Every part of the insect was, in colour, of a perfect white, or at least completely covered with a white powder. The particular HEMIPTERA. 4:3 stem frequented by those insects, was entirely whitened by a substance or powder of that colour, strewed upon it by them. The substance or powder was supposed to form the white wax of the East. This substance is asserted, on the spot, to have the property, by a particular manipulation, of giving in certain proportions, with vegetable oil, such solidity to the composition as to render the whole equally capable of being moulded into candles. The fact is ascertained, indeed, in some degree, by the simple experiment of dissolving one part of this wax in three parts of olive oil made hot. The whole, when cold, will coagulate into a mass, approaching to the firmness of bees' wax." From the accurate description and figures of the latter author, it is evident, the creature that produces the white wax of China, is an imperfect insect, or technically speaking, the pupa of an insect, which, in its mature state, is furnished with wings. This is clearly the fact, for the rudiments of wings are visible in the figures alluded to. * Stoll, in his work on Cimices and Cicada;, gives a figure of this immature insect under the title of Be Waldraagster (Nymphe) or La Cigale Porte Laine, fig. 144, together with the winged insect at fig. 145 ; and it is on this authority the latter is introduced in the annexed plate. There is, indeed, much similarity between the pupa and the imago, and some striking characteristics are common to both. They agree in the structure of the antennae and proboscis, or sucking trunk ; the abdomen of the winged insect is also loaded with a fine white powder, and is furnished at the extremity with a tuft of down and hairs, similar to that so eminently conspicuous in the pupa state. We have, however, observed the white powder and tuft on the abdomen of Lystra lanata, and have reason to imagine it also forms a white wax, similar to that of the present species. Fabricius, in his Species Insectorum, described this insect as a variety of Cicada limbata, which is of a light green colour, with a red margin ; that which Stoll has figured, and with which this agrees, is of a pale brown, with a black margin. These are the species and variety Fabricius describes, for the specimens referred to by Fabricius, in the collection of Sir Joseph Banks, agree precisely with our insects. Fabricius notes the habitat Africa. Stoll received the green specimen from the Island of Ceylon; the pale sort from Africa. The larva we have represented is from China ; and the imago was brought from the East Indies, by the late Mr. Ellis. * This may account for a passage in Gordons description of China, where he says, " In the plains" of Houquang " are vast numbers of little worms that produce wax, in the same manner as bees do honey," if we understand by worms, insects not arrived at maturity ; for the larva of Bombyx Mori, is also termed a silk worm, though it belongs to the moth tribe when perfect. 44 HEMIPTERA. Croton Sebiferum— Poplar-leaved Croton, or Tallow-tree.— The Tallow- tree is not the natural food of the Wax insect, but as they mutually illustrate the same inquiry, they are represented in the same plate ; and it is further presumed, that a short account of this useful plant will be deemed a proper sequel to the history of the insect. Du Halde, when describing the Tallow-tree, says, " II est de la hauteur dune grande cerisier. Le fruit est renfermee dans un ecorce qu'on appelle Yen Kiou, et qui s ouvre par le milieu quand il est mur, comme celle de la chataigne. II consiste en des grains blancs de la grosseur d'un noisette, dont la chair a les qualitez du suif ; aussi en tait-on des chandelles, apres Tavoir fait fondre, en y melant souvent un peu d'huile ordinaire, et trempant les chandelles dans la cire qui vient sur l'arbre dont je vais parler : il sen forme autour du suif une espece de croute qui l'empeche de couler. Page 18. vol. I. Sir G. Staunton speaks nearly to the same effect : " From the fruit of the Croton ■sebiferum, of Linnaeus, the Chinese obtain a kind of vegetable fat, with which they make a great proportion of their candles. This fruit, in its external appearance, bears some resemblance to the berries of the ivy. As soon as it is ripe, the capsule opens and divides into two, or, more frequently, three divisions, and falling off discovers as many kernels, each attached by a separate foot-stalk, and covered with a fleshy substance of a snowy whiteness, contrasting beautifully with the leaves of the tree, which, at this season, are of a tint between a purple and a scarlet. The fat, or fleshy substance, is separated from the kernels by crushing and boiling them in water. The candles made of this fat are firmer than those of tallow, as well as free from all offensive odour. Thev are not, however, equal to those of wax or spermaceti." This author further adds. " The wax for candles is generally the produce of insects, feeding chiefly on the privet, as is mentioned in the chapter of Cochin China. It is naturally white, and so pure as to produce no smoke ; but is collected in such small quantities, as to be scarce and dear. Cheap candles are also made of tallow, and even of grease of too little consistence to be used, without the contrivance of being coated with the firmer substance of the tallow- tree or of wax." Vide Chapter on Sou-choo-foo. The tallow-tree is now cultivated in the West Indies, where it thrives well, and produces fruit, and by proper attention may hereafter become useful. HEMIPTERA. 45 BELOSTOMA INDICA? Plate 18. Sub-Order. Hemipterita, Kirby. Section. Hydrocorisa, Latreille. Family. Nepids, Leach. Genus. Belostoma, Latreille. Nepa p. Linn. Ch. Sp. B. " squalide lutea, maculis fuscis, femoribus anticis nigro-lineatis, coxis quatuor posticis immaculatis." Long. Corp. 3 unc. B. dirty clay coloured with brown spots, the anterior femora with black lines, and the four posterior coxee immaculate. Length 3 inches. Stn. Belostoma indica? Enc. Meth. X. p. 272. Nepa grandis, Donovan, 1st edit. Stoll Cimic. 2. t. 7. /. 4. (Exclus. synon. Linn. Fabr. Merian, H'vsel, and Be Geer.) M. Merian has given a plate and description of the South American Belostoma grandis in her work on the Insects of Surinam. We learn from that account, that in the larva and pupa state it lives in the water ; that it is a voracious creature, and feeds not only on the weaker kinds of aquatic insects, but on some animals much larger than itself. The pupa* is represented on the back of a large frog in the water, and is designed to portray the manner in which it fastens on those creatures, holding them between its strong curved fore feet, and extracting the juices of their bodies through its singularly constructed beak. M. Merian says, the winged insect was produced from one of these pupae on the twelfth of May, 1710. Every writer on this insect since M. Merian appears indebted to her for their account of these few particulars ; for though all the European species of the same family undergo precisely the same changes in their aquatic dwellings, among decayed vegetables, &c. at the bottom of the water, and quit it only in the winged state, t we are indebted to her for the time of the appearance of this exotic species in that state, as well as for a correct figure of its pupa. Linnaeus, following Merian, gives Surinam as the country of B. grandis; Margravius, * The pupa is semi-completa : unlike the pupa of the Lepidoptera, &c. it scarcely differs in appearance or manners of life from the complete insect, but has only the rudiments of the wings. See the lower figure in the accompanying plate. t Nepa cinerea and linearis are English species of this family ; these live in the water till they have wings, when they occasionally quit it to pursue other winged creatures. 4 b' HEMIPTERA. Brasil; and Fabricius, America generally. Donovan observed a slight difference betwee the Chinese specimen and the figures in preceding works referred to by Fabricius ; but he nevertheless gave it as the Nepa Grandis of Fabricius, on the authority of the collection of the Right Hon. Sir Joseph Banks, Bart. The Asiatic species are, however, now re- garded as specifically distinct from those of America, and hence I have given this doubt- ina-lv as the B. indica of Saint Fargeau. BELOSTOMA (SPH^RODEMA) RUSTICA. Plate 19. fig. 1. Ch. Sp. B. rotundata, ecaudata, fusca, thoracis elytrorumque margine antico albido. Long. Corp. lin. 1\. B. round, without a tail, brown, with the margin of the elytra and the front of the thorax pale. Length of the body 7 J lines. Syn. Nepa rustica, Fabr. Ent. Syst. 4. 62. 3. (Exclus. syn. Enc. Meth. X. p. 273. et Laporte Revis. He?nipt. p. 18. Diplonychus rusticus.) Laporte op. cit. p. 83. Nepa plana, Sulz. Hist. his. t. 10./. 2. Stall Cim. 2. t. 7 '. /. 6. Insects in general discover an extraordinary degree of care and ingenuity in depositing their eggs in the most secure situations, or places where the infant brood, when hatched, may be provided with proper sustenance. Those of the aquatic kind usually lay them in recesses in the mud or sand, or under loose stones that lie at the bottom of the water : others, with as much care, and more ingenuity, hollow out the interior substance of the large stalks of water plants, and deposit their eggs in them ; or, rising out of the water, lay them in the extreme branches of those plants, to secure them from other aquatic depredators. Belostoma rustica displays even more sagacity, or attachment for its eo-o-s, than those creatures ; for it never leaves them. Till they are hatched, it bears them on its back, in a cluster of an oval shape ; these eggs are of an oblong form, and are fastened by the narrowest end to a thin film, or plate of cement, that causes them to adhere to the polished surface of the wing cases ; when these eggs, about a hundred in number, are hatched, it casts off the exuvias of the cluster, and differs no longer in general appearance from the male of the same species. Our figures represent the situation of the eggs on the back, and the insect also after they are cast off. It is not commonly received with the eggs upon it. Found on the coast of Coromandel, as well as China. /. (-/r'/Y/J. 2. /?M//f£sfar a// ZZst/K LEPIDOPTERA. 51 Order. LEPIDOPTERA. Lb PAPILIO PARIS. Plate 22. Tribe. Diurna, Latreille. (Papilio, Linnceus.) Family. Papilionid^, Leach. Genus. Papilio, Linnaus, (Section, Equites.) Latreille, Boisduval, Sj-c. Ch. Sp. P. alis nigris, aureo-viridi pulverulentis, posticis caudatis, macula (in utroque sexu) magna azureo-cserulea, ocello fulvo ad angulum ani, his subtus maculis septem marginalibus ocellatis. Expans. alar. 4 unc. P. with the wings black, powdered with golden-green atoms, the posterior with a broad tail and a large shining blue spot in both sexes, and a reddish eye at the anal angle ; beneath with seven marginal eye-like spots. Expanse of the wings about 4 inches. Syn. Papilio Paris, Linn. Syst. Nat. 2. p. 745. No. 3. Fabr. Ent. Syst. 3. I. p. 1. No. 1. Drury Exotic Ins. V. I. t. 12. f. 1. 2. Cramer Pap. 2. pi. 103. /. A. B. Esper. Ausl. Schmett. t. 2. /. 1. Encycl. Meth. IX. p. 69. Bois- duval Hist. Nat. Lep. 1. p. 208. The simile proposed by Linnaeus, both for the arrangement and specific nomenclature of butterflies, is gleaned from ancient and fabulous history. The species are divided into sections of Trojan and Greek princes, heroes, deities, nymphs, and plebeians : and the species have received names in accordance with this fanciful theory, which, at least, in the writings of Linnaeus is well conducted, and seems liable to less objection than the characters assigned to each section : for many species placed among the Equites, and a more considerable number with the Plebeii, are inconsistent with the essential criterion Linnaeus has given. This arrangement has necessarily undergone material alterations in the Entomologia Systematica of Fabricius and other still more recent works ; alterations certainly justified by the more comprehensive views now taken of this pleasing branch of Entomology. The Equites of Fabricius, with many additions, and a few exceptions, are the same as those in the two Linnsean sections : Papilio Priamus is, however, removed from the head of the Equites Trqjani, and the precedence given to Papilio Paris. Papilio Paris is an insect of considerable beauty. The general colour on the upper surface is obscure brown, nearly approaching black, but finely contrasted with brilliant green atoms, profusely sprinkled over it. The posterior wings are adorned with a large 52 LEPIDOPTERA. blue spot, wnich derives additional lustre from the dusky colour surrounding it. Another species, very similar to Papilio Pans, but without this spot, is also found in China. It has been supposed to be the female of our species, which opinion is adopted m the Encyclopedic Methodique. Fabricius names it Bianor, after Cramer, pi. 103. Jig. 6. Dr. Horsfield has described and figured another species, from Java, in his Lepidoptera Javanica, under the name of Papilio Arjuna, but which is so closely allied to Paris, that it may eventually prove to be only a geographical variety. Its larva is cylindrical, with a coriaceous shield-like plate, extending over the three anterior segments of the body ; the chrysalis is greatly angulated, with the head notched. Another species, or at least strong variety, has been lately received from the Himalayan mountains PAPILIO CRINO. Plate 23. Gii. Sp. P. alis nigris atomis viridi-aureis, fascia communi caeruleo-viridi ; posticis caudatis, ocello anali rufo, his subtus lunulis viridibus caeruleis cinereisque. Expans. alar. 3J unc. P. with the wings black and sprinkled with golden-green atoms, with a greenish-blue bar running across all the wings, the posterior pair tailed, with a red eyelet at the anal angle; beneath with green, blue, and ashy lunules. Expanse of the wings 3^ inches. Syx. Papilio Crino, Jones. Fabricius Ent. Sysl. 3. 1 . p. 5. Enc. Meth. IX. p. 66. Boisduval Hist. Nat. Le.pid. 1. p. 207. Papilio Regulus, Stoll Suppl. Cramer. 5. pi. 41. f. 1. This splendid butterfly is extremely rare, and its precise country is doubtful. Fabri- cius says, " Habitat in Africa. Mus. Dom. Drury." Donovan, however, who had access to Drury 's collections, says, " We have found an unique specimen of this species in the collection of Mr. Drury, and on that authority we include it as a native of China. Fabricius erroneously gives Africa as its locality." In the Encyclopedic Methodique, Africa is given. Boisduval gives " Indes orientales ;" his unique specimen having been sent to him by M. Drege as from Cochin China, but which Boisduval thinks may possibly be erroneous. The manuscripts of Drury, now in my possession, throw no light upon the subject further than that there are several unnamed species indicated as inhabitants of China as well as of Sierra Leone. But from the strong afnnity between Crino, Palinunis. Paris, &c. it is scarcely to be doubted that China or India is the real locality of Crino. Renealmia exaltata, a majestic plant, near seven feet in height, bearing a fine pendant group of flowers at the summit, is figured in the plate. ,J0 ■/:". dZfl// 1 / 'te^c&WTZ . / .:/// / ^.'7r ' e y^V////V/ ^ ^/AvW^/r/V'. LEPIDOPTERA. PAPILIO COON. Plate 24. fig. 1. Ch. Sp. P. alis angustatis, antieis elongato-ovatis fuse is ; posticis cauda spatuliformi, atris, maculis baseos palmatis, luriulis submarginalibus albis maculaque duplici ad angulum ani flava. Expans. alarum 4| — 5J unc. P. with narrow wings, the anterior elongate ovate, brown on both sides ; the posterior, with a spatulate tail, black, with palmated basal spots and submarginal lunules of a white colour ; and two yellow spots at the anal angle. Expans. of the wings 4i — 5| inches. Syn. Papilio Coon, Jones. Fabricius Ent. Syst. 3. I. p. 10. Env. Meth. IX. p. 6,5. Boisduval Hist. Nat. Lep. p. 201 . Papilio Hypenor, Erie. Meth. IX. p. 65. The original Fabrician description was derived from a specimen in the collection of Mr. Drury, and Donovan's figure is copied from the drawings of Mr. Jones, referred to by Fabricius. The translation of the Fabrician description of the lower wings is incor- rectly rendered in the Encyclopedic Methodique, and in consequence another description is given of a Javanese specimen of this species, under the name of P. Hypenor. It has recently been received in considerable numbers from Java, from whence I possess a specimen with the wings much longer and narrower than they are here represented. PAPILIO AGENOR. Plate 24. fig. 2. Ch. Sp. P. alis nigris, basi sanguineis, anticis striatis, posticis dentatis, disco albo maculisque marginalibus atris. Expans. alar. 6 unc. P. with the wings black, bloody at the base, the anterior with longitudinal paler markings, the posterior dentate with a white disc and black marginal spots. Ex- pansion of the wings 6 inches. Syn. Papilio Agenor, Linn. Syst. Nat. 2. p. 747. Fabr. Ent. Syst. 3. 1. p. 13. Enc. Meth. IX. p. 28. Clerk Ic. t. 15. Cramer, pi. 32. A.B. Herbst. Pap. t. 8. /• 3. Papilio Memnon, S Boisduval Hist. Nat. Lepid. p. 193. This is one of the largest Chinese Papiliones we are acquainted with. The upper and under surfaces so nearly agree, that Donovan considered a figure of the first unne- cessary. M. Boisduval has advanced several forcible reasons for regarding this and LEPIDOPTERA. several other allied insects (P. Laomedon, of Cramer, Anceus, Achates) as females of the very variable Asiatic species, Papilio Memnon ; the caterpillar of which, according to Dr. Horsfield, is green, with the anterior segments narrowed and retractile, the third being elevated at the top and marked with an eye-like spot on each side. It feeds upon the species of Citrus. The plant figured is Plumbago Rosea. Rose-coloured Lead-wort. PAPILIO PERANTHUS. Plate 25. Ch. Sp. P. alis nigris, supra basi casrulescenti-viridibus, subtus apice pallidis, posticis obtuse dentatis, caudatis, subtus lunulis rufescentibus serie digestis. Expans. alar. 4 unc. P. with the wings black, greenish blue at the base; beneath paler at the external margins, posterior pair dentate and tailed, with red lunules on the under side ar- ranged in a transverse series. Expansion 4 inches. Syn. Papilio Peranthus, Fabricius Ent. Syst. 3. 1. p. 15. Eric. Meth. IX. p. 66. Boisduval Hist. Nat. Lepid. \. p. 203. The original Fabrician description was made from a specimen from Cochin China in the Banksian collection. Donovan mentions another which came from Canton, and M. Boisduval gives Borneo, Java, and Celebes, as its localities. The insect is represented on a small twig of Arundo Bambos (Bamboo or Cane), a well known plant, mentioned by Sir G. Staunton as being one of the most useful pro- ductions of China, i PAPILIO TELAMON. Plate 26. fig. l. Cu. Sp. P. alis caudatis, concoloribus, flavescentibus, maculis fasciisque nigris, posticis utrinque striga sanguinea nigromarginata. Expans. alar. 3 unc. P. with the wings coloured alike pale yellowish, with black spots and bands, the pos- terior with very long narrow tails, and a red streak bordered with black at the anal angle. Expansion of the wings 3 inches. S\'N. Papilio Telamon, Donovan. Boisduval Hist. Nat. Lep. 1. p. 050 The singular delicacy and beauty of this Papilio is not the only claim it Ins to the particular attention of Entomologists: it is clearly an undescribed species; and perhaps ; 7 )M. ./ '? : vyw/M' /- c=. 12> / /?, • / )/ f / , / rn / i / LEPIDOPTERA. the only specimen of it yet brought to Europe is that from which our figure is copied. It was taken near Pekin, by a gentleman in the suite of Earl Macartney, in the embassy to China ; and was originally in the possession of Mr. Francillon, of London, who kindly permitted drawings and descriptions to be made of this and every other insect in his magnificent collection that could enhance the value of this publication. It is still so rare that M. Boisduval states that he had never seen a specimen of it. Papilio Telamon bears a distant resemblance to P. Protesilaus, but a much stronger to P. Ajax : pursuing then the metaphorical method of arranging the butterflies in the Linnaean manner, the name of the father of Ajax, who was one of the distinguished Grecian Princes at the siege of Troy, has been given to this species. PAPILIO AGAMEMNON. Plate 26. fig. 2. Ch. Sp. P. alis nigris viridi-maculatis, posticis breviter caudatis, his subtus ocello lunato ma- culisque rubris. Expans. alar. 3J unc. P. with the wings black and spotted with pale green, the posterior pair with short tails and ornamented beneath with a lunate eyelet and red spots. Expansion of the wings 3 J inches. Syn. Papilio Agamemnon, Linn. Syst. Nat. 2. p. 748. Fabr. Ent. Syst. 3. I. p. 33. Enc. Meth. IX. p. 46. Boisduval Lep. I. p. 230. Papilio jEgistus, Cramer, 106. CD. (corrected, p. 151.) Papilio Agamemnon is found in several parts of Asia (China, Bengal, Java, the y Moluccas and Philippine Islands, Manilla, Timor). The under side is beautifully adorned with a number of bright green spots of various sizes. The general colour is pale pink, diversified with shades of chestnut brown. The upper side is much plainer ; the general colour is black, except the spots, which are green, and precisely agree in shape with those on the under side. Dr. Horsfield has figured the transformations of this insect (Lepid. Javan. pi. 4. f. 12), the larva is short and thick, with a forked tail; the chrysalis has the head very obtuse. This species is the type of Dr. Horsfield's second section of the genus, having the club of the antenna oval and compressed. 56 LEPIDOPTERA. PAPILIO PROTENOR. ? Plate 27. Cn. Sp. P. alis anticis fuscis nigro-striatis ; posticis dentatis, nigris, atomis pallidis, macula duplici rufa. anguli ani. Expans. alar. 5J unc. P. with the anterior wings brown with black longitudinal stripes, the posterior dentate, black with pale atoms, and a double red spot at the anal angle. Expans. of the wings 5\ inches. Syn. Papilio Protenor, Fabricius Ent. Syst. 3. 1. 13. Cramer, pi. 49. A. B. Enc. Method. IX. p. 30. Boisduval Hist. Nat. Lepid. p. 198. J Papilio Laomedon, Jones. Fabricius Ent. Syst. 3. 1. 12. Donovan, \st edition, (nee Cramer, pi. 50. f. A. B.) The collection of the late Mr. Latham contained the original specimen from which Mr. Jones' drawing (referred to by Fabricius) was made. The present figure was copied, by Mr. Jones' permission, from that drawing. PAPILIO EPIUS. Plate 28. fig. I. Cn. Sp. P. alis nigris, flavo maculatis; posticis dentatis fascia irregulari, maculis adjectis flavis, maculaque anguli analis rufa. Expans. alar, fere 3J unc. P. with the wings black, spotted with yellow ; the posterior pair dentate with an irre- gular yellow bar, accompanied externally with additional spots and a large red spot at the anal angle. Expanse of the wings nearly 3 J inches. Syx. Papilio Epius, Jones. Fabricius Ent. Syst. 3. 1. p. 35. Enc. Meth. IX. p. 43. Boisduval Hist. Nat. Lepid. p. 238. Papilio Erithonius, Cramer, pi. 232. A. B. Papilio Demoleus, Esper. Ausl. Schmett, tab. 50. f. 1 4. Papilio Epius and Papilio Demoleus are so similar in their marks and colours, that many authors have confounded one species with the other. Papilio Epius is chiefly distinguished by the red spot in the interior margin of the lower wings, having no blue eye-shaped mark above it. £/l£U& CWK^^V LEPIDOPTERA. PAPILIO DEMOLEUS. Plate 28. fig. 2. Ch. Sp. P. alis nigris, flavo-maculatis, posticis dentatis fascia flava subrecta ocelloque anali dimidiatim cseruleo rufoque. Expans. alar. 3 J unc. P. with black wings spotted with yellow, the posterior dentate with a nearly straight and regular yellow fascia, and an ocellus at the anal angle blue above and red be- neath. Expanse of the wings 3| inches. Syn. Papilio Demoleus, Linn. Syst. Nat. 2. 753. Fabr. Ent. Syst. 3. 1. 34. Kleeman (Rosel, add.) t. I./.2.3. Cramer Ins. t. 231./. A. B. Boisduval Hist. Nat. Lep. 1 . p. 237. Encycl. Meth. IX. p. 43. Papilio Demodocus, Esper. Ausl. Schmett. t. 51. /. 1. Linnaeus gives the Cape of Good Hope as the habitat of this species ; and Boisduval also mentions the coast of Guinea, Senegal, and Madagascar. Fabricius, however, par- ticularly says, " Habitat in Indiae orientalis Citro, Dr. Koenig,"' describing the larva as solitary, smooth, of a yellowish green colour, with a reddish head, two tentacles on the neck, and a bifid tail. Boisduval has, however, applied this observation to P. Epius, stating that P. Demoleus had been reared at Senegal by M. Dumolin, and that its larva feeds on the citron trees. MORPHO RHETENOR. Plate 29. Family. Nympiialid^, Swainson. Gemjs. Morpho, Fabricius (Syst. Gloss, in Illig. Mag.) Cn. Sp. M. alis supra nitidissime cyaneis ; subtus umbrino griseoque variis, ocellis ceecis. Expans. alar. 5| unc. M. with the wings on the upper side dazzling cyaneous blue, beneath varied with umber and grey, with blind eyelets. Expanse of the wings about 5 J inches. Syn. Papilio Rhetenor, Cramer, pi. 15. A. B. Herbst. Pap. t. 27. /. 1.2. Esper. Pap. Exot. t. 42./. 1. Sulzer Ins. t. 13./. 1. Enc. Meth. IX. p. 444. Whatever effect the artist can produce by a combination of the most brilliant colours employed in painting, must be far surpassed by comparison with the dazzling appearance of this splendid creature. It is impossible to find in any part of the animal creation colours more beautiful or changeable. Pale blue is the principal colour, but new tints i 58 LEPIDOPTERA. meet the eye in every direction, varying from a silvery green to the deepes p F and the whole surface glittering with the resplendence of highly polished meta . This splendid species was long confused with Papilio Menelaus of Linnasi authors of the Encyclopedic Methodique, however, cleared up the confusion, prc-v them to be quite distinct. The species, and indeed the entire group to which it belongs, are, however, natives of South America. Sulzer, indeed, states that his specimen came from China, and evidently on this authority Donovan introduced the species into this work. Thea Laxa (Bohea, or broad-leaved Tea), is figured in the plate. Sir G. Staunton says, the bohea tea is supplied in China from the province of Fochen : the green tea from Kiang-nan. The leaves of these teas vary in some degree in form according to the age of the plant ; those of the bohea are the broadest ; Thea stricta has much longer leaves, they are lanceolated, and more deeply serrated than those of the bohea. Many authors have considered them varieties of the same species. It flowers in England in August and September. ACILEA VESTA. Plate 30. fig. 1. Family. HelicoxiidjE, Svjainson. Genus. Acr^ea, Fabricius. (Heliconia p. Fabricius olim.) Cn. Sp. A. alis oblongis integerrimis, utrinque corticinis ; omnium supra limbo posteriori fusco serieque punctorum interrupto. Expans. alar. 2| unc. A. with the wings oblong and entire, of a pale yellow brown ; with a dark brown border in which are white spots. Expanse of the wings 1\ inches. Syn. Papilio (Helic.) Vesta, Jones. Fabr. Ent. Syst. 3. 1. p. 163. Enc Meth IX p 233. Papilio Terpsichore, Cramer Pap. pi. 298. /. A. B. C. Papilio Vesta is the only insect of the Heliconii division of Butterflies described 'n Fabricius as peculiar to China, in his Ent. Syst., the majority being inhabitants of Africa It 18 a -re species. The Papilio Vesta of Cramer is a very different insect, bein- the Jr. Lrato of Fabricius. ° ///'/y/// r //y / LEPIDOPTERA. 59 PIERIS PASITHOE. Plate 30. fig-. 2. Family. Papilionid/e, Leach. Genus. Pieris, Fabricius, Boisduval (Papilio, Heliconia, Linn.) Ch. Sp. P. alis suboblongis, nigris, supra casrulescenti-albo-maculatis ; posticis subtus disco flavo, nigro venoso, fasciaque basali ferruguinea. Expans. alar. 3| unc. P. with oblong wings of a black colour spotted on the upper side with bluish white, the posterior pair with the disc beneath yellow, with black veins and a broad red basal fascia. Expanse of the wings 3| inches. Syn\ Papilio (Helicon.) Pasithoe, Linn. Syst. Nat. 2. 755. Fab. Ent. Syst. 3. 1. 179. Pieris P. Encycl. Meth. IX. p. 148. Boisduval Hist. Nat. Lep. \.p.A5\. Drury Illust. Exot. Ent. 2nd edit. v. 2. p. 16. Papilio (Dan. Cand.) Dione, Drury. 1st edit. Papilio Porsenna, Cramer, pi. 43. Jig. D. E. and pi. 352. Jig. A. B. PIERIS HYPARETE. Plate 30. fig. 3. Ch. Sp. P. alis suboblongis, integerrimis, albis, utrinque apice, subtus venis nigris, posticis subtus, plus minusve flavis, maculis sanguineis limbo nigro apicali digestis. Expans. alar. 3 unc. P. with the wings rather oblong, entire, white with a black margin on both sides and with black veins beneath; the posterior on the under side more or less stained with yellow, with a row of six red spots in the black border. Expanse of the wings about 3 inches. Srs. Papilio (Helicon.) Hyparete, Linn. Syst. Nat. 2. p. 763. (nee Fabr. Ent. Syst. 3. 1. p. 176. Enc. Meth. IX. p. 153. Boisduval Hist. Nat. Lep. 1. p. 455. Papilio Autonoe, Cramer, 187. C. D. et 320. A. B. Several distinct, but nearly allied, species have been confounded together under the name of Hyparete ; Donovan observed, " We have two sorts of this species ; one with the marginal row of red spots on the posterior wings disposed in a deep border of black ; the other has the red spots on a whitish ground. They are certainly the two sexes of Papilio Hyparete. Found near Canton, in China." The sexes do not, however, vary in this respect, the latter individuals mentioned in this passage are therefore most probably the 60 LEPIDOPTERA. P. Eucharis of Drury (Epicharis, Enc. Meth. and Boisduval ; Hyparete, Fabricius), or the P. Autonoe of Cramer and Boisduval. The leaf represented in the plate is that of Sophora Japonica ( Shining-leaved Sophora), an elegant and valuable timber tree, of which Sir G. Staunton speaks as very frequent in China. PIERIS (IPHIAS) GLAUCIPPE. Plate 31. fig. 1. Sub-Gen. Ipiiias, Boisduval. Ch. Sp. P. alis supra albis, anticis macula magna, apicali (medio fulvo) nigra, subtus (nisi dimidio basali anticarum) cinereis, strigis minutis fuscis irroratis. Expans. alar. 4 unc. P. with the upper sides of the wings white, the anterior having a large black spot at tip, the middle of which is rich orange ; beneath, except the basal half of the anterior wings, greyish with brown waves. Expanse of the wings 4 inches. Syn. Papilio (Dan. Cand.) Glaucippe, Linn. Syst. Nat. 2. 762. Fabr. Ent. Sysl. 3. 1. p. 198. No. 618. Herbst. Pap. Fab. 96. /. 1—3. Enc. Meth. IX. p. 119. Drury Exot. Lepid. 1. pi. 10. /. 3. 4. 2nd edit. p. 20. Horsjield Lep. Jav. p. 130. (CoIiasGl.) ? Pap. Callirhoe, Fab. Mant. Ins. 2. 20. 215. Iphias Glaucippe, Boisduval Hist. Nat. Lep. 1 . p. 596. P. Glaucippe is an elegant insect : very common in China, and it is said, in some adjacent parts of Asia, also Bengal, Java, &c. The Papilio Callirrhoe of Linnseus is considered as the female of this species : few authors deem it more than a variety (j8). Dr. Horsfield has described and figured the caterpillar and chrysalis of this species in hi> work upon the Lepidoptera of Java above referred. LEPIDOPTERA. PIERIS (THESTIAS) PYRENE ? Plate 31. fig. 2 Sub-Gen. Thestias, Boisduval. Cii. Sp. P. " alis integerrimis, rotundatis, flavis ; primoribus apice (medio fulvo) nigris ; subtus nebuloso-maculatis." Linn, loc cit. infra. Expans. alar, fere 2J uric. P. with the wings entire, rounded, yellow ; the anterior with a large black spot, the centre of which is bright orange ; beneath with cloud-like marks. Expanse of the wings about 2| inches. S yn. Papilio (Dan. Cand.) Pyrene, Linn. Syst. Nat. 2. 762. 86 ? Enc. Meth. IX. p. 120. Boisduval Hist. Nat. Lep. 1. 593. (Thestias P.) Drury Exot. Ent. 2nd edit. I. p. ll.pl. 5./. 2. Papilio Sesia, Fabricius Ent. Syst. 3. l.p. 203. Donovan, 1st. edit. The insect here figured, judging at least from the upper side, agrees with the Linnaean description of P. Pyrene, the habitat of which is given by Linnaeus as China. Fabricius, however, who refers to Linnaeus, gives America as its locality. It is now satisfactorily ascertained that it inhabits China and various parts of the East Indies. The plant figured is Limodorum Tankervillce, an elegant and much admired production of China. COLIAS (CALLIDRYAS) PYRANTHE. Plate 32. fig. 1. Genus. Colias, Fabricius. Papilio (Danai Candidi), Linnaeus. Sub-Gen. Callidryas, Boisduval. Ch. Sp. C. alis integerrimis, rotundatis, albis, puncto apiceque nigris ; subtus cinereo undu- latis puncto fulvo. Expans. alar, fere 3 unc. C. with the wings entire, rounded, and white, having a discoidal spot and the margin black ; beneath with ashy waves and a fulvous spot. Expanse of the wings nearly 3 inches. Syn. Papilio Pyranthe, Linn. Syst. Nat. 2. p. 763. Enc. Meth. IX. p. 97. Boisduval Hist. Nat. Lep. l.p. 611. Papilio Gnoma of Fabricius ; P. Alcyone, Cramer ; P. Nepthe, Fabricius ; and P. Chryseis, Drury (1st edition) ; are in all probability varieties of this insect. 62 LEPIDOPTERA. COLIAS (CALLIDRYAS) PHILEA. Plate 32. fig. 2. Cir. Sp. C. alis integerrimis, subangulatis, flavis ; anticis macula, posticis limbo, luteis. Expans. alar. 3| unc. _ C. with the wings entire, somewhat angulated, bright yellow, with a large discoidal spot in the anterior and a broad margin of the posterior pair orange. Expanse of the wings 3| inches. Syn. Papilio (Dan. Cand.) Philea, Linn. Syst. Nat. 2. 764. Fabricius Ent. Syst. 3. 1. p. 212. Cramer Pap.pl. 173. E. F. Roesel Ins. Bel. t. 3./. 5. Boisduval Hist. Nat. Lep. 1. p. 619. (Callidryas P.) Linnseus says of this species, " Habitat in Indiis," which may be either taken for the East or West Indies ; Roesel calls it " die indianische goldborte ;" and Donovan states that his specimen was received from China. The real locality, however, not only of this butterfly, but of all the species of the section to which it belongs, is South America and the West Indies. M. Boisduval gives the Argante of Hubner, Lolia of Godart, Aricia of Cramer, Melanippe Cramer, and Larra of Fabricius, as varieties of the female of this species. The plant represented in the plate is Melastoma Chinensis. MORPHO (DRUSILLA) JAIRUS. Plate 33. Family. Nymphalid.t,, Swainson. Genus. Morpiio, Fabricius. (Papilio, Dan. Festiv. Fabr. olim.) Sub-Gen. Drusilla, Swainson Zool. Illust. 1. pi. 11. (Hyades, Boisduval Hist. Nat. Lep. I. pi. 13./. 1.) Ch. Sp. M. alis integris, fuscis ; posticis disco baseos albo, supra oculo maximo, subtus duobus dissitis. Expans. alar. 4Js unc. M. with the wings entire, brown; the posterior, with the basal disc white, with a single large eye on the upper and two on the lower side. Expanse of the wings 4 1 inches. Syn. Papilio F. Juiius, Fabr. Ent. Syst. 3. 1. p. 54. Cramer Pap. pi. 6. A. B. and pi. 185. A. B. C. Enc. Meth. IX. p. 445. Papilio Cassiee, Clerk Icon. tab. 29. Jig. 3. A specimen of this extremely rare Butterfly was contained in the collection of Dr Hunter, now the property of the University of Glasgow ; a fragment in the- British Mu- ; > Ci I 7/MdsUU6/ ■ V< *?-// f 7/*, //A j . _ LEPIDOPTERA. 63 seum ; and one in fine preservation in the collection of Mr. Francillon. Except these, and the specimens from which the figures in the annexed plate are copied, Donovan had never seen it in any cabinet whatever. It had been figured only by two authors, Clerk in his Icoiies insectorum variorum, and Cramer in his Papillons exotiques. The figures of Clerk and Cramer do not strictly agree : we observe those of the first much lighter coloured, and the white space on the upper wings considerably larger than in any of the figures in Cramer's plates. Fabricius says it is a native of the East Indies. One specimen figured by Cramer was brought from the isle of Amboyna. It seems therefore not peculiar, like some in- sects, to China. NYMPHALIS (CHARAXES) BERNARDUS. Plate 34. Genus. Nymphalis, Latreille. (Papilio Nymphalis, Fabricius.) Sub-Gex. Ciiaraxes, Boisduval, (Jasia, Swainson ) Cn. Sp. N. alis fulvis, anticis apice atris, fascia media flava, posticis caudatis striga punctorum ocellatorum. Expans. alar. 3£ unc. N. with fulvous wings, the anterior black at the tips with a broad pale yellow band, the posterior tailed, with a row of black ocellated spots. Expanse of the wings 3J inches. Syn. Papilio (Nymph.) Bernardus, Jones. Fabricius Ent. Syst. 3. I. p. 71. This uncommonly rare Chinese butterfly has not been figured in any other work. Fabricius described it only from the drawings of Mr. Jones. I possess a specimen in which the central fascia is nearly white, and is continued half way across the posterior wings, and the black spots in the latter are very broad and confluent, without white in the centre. The plant represented is the Camellia Japonica (Japan Rose), a native of Japan and China, which blossoms from January to May. It is a lofty and magnificent plant, rising to the height of several feet : there is a variety of it with double flowers, perfectly white ; and another in which the flowers are variegated with white and red. 64 LEPIDOPTERA. ARGYNNIS ERYMANTHIS. Plate 35. fig. ]. Genus. Argynnis, Fabricius. Cii. Sp. A. alis subrotundatis, subdentatis, fulvis, anticis fascia flavescenti transversa media nigro-maculata, apice nigris ; posticis serie punctorum duabusque lunularum nigraruni. Exp. alar. 2 — 3 unc. A. with the wings rather rounded and indented, fulvous, the anterior with a transverse pale yellow fascia, spotted with black, the tips black ; the posterior wings with a row of black spots and two rows of narrow spots. Expanse of the wings from 2 to 3 inches. Syn. Papilio (Dan. Fest.) Erymanthis, Drury Exot. Ent. vol. 1. pi. 15. f. 3. 4. Cramer, pi. 238. /. 9. Fair. Ent. Syst. 3. \.p. 139. Enc. Meth. IX. p. 257. Papilio Lampetia, Cramer Pap. pi. 148. 7%. E. It is the rarity, and not the beauty of this butterfly, which induced Donovan to add it to this selection. It is probably far from common in China, being very seldom sent to Europe among the insects of that country. CYNTHIA ORITHYA. Plate 35. fig. 2. Genus. Cynthia, Fabricius. (Papilio Nymphales gemmati, Linn.) Cii. Sp. C. alis denticulatis, supra nigris aut fuscis, singularum ocellis duobus iride fulva ■ anticis costa strigisque apicalibus albis, his subfalcatis ; posticis rotundatis. Ex- pans, alar. 2. unc. C. with the wings dentate, the anterior subfalcate, the posterior rounded • above blacker brown shaded with blue, each having two eyelets with a fulvous circle ■ the anterior margin and several apical fasciee white. Expanse of the wine-s 2 inches. Syn. Papilio N. Orithya, Linn. Syst. Nat. 2. p. 770. (nee Abbot and Smith Lep. Georg v. 1. t. 8.) Roesel Ins. 4. t. 6. f. 2. Cramer Pap. pi. 19. C. D. 3':. E. F 281. E. F. 290. A. B.C. D. Papilio N. Orythia, Fabr. Ent. Syst. 3. I. p. 91. Donovan, \st edit. Donovan observes, that " the varieties of Papilio Orythia are numerous, and seem to differ according to climate of the countries of which they are natives. It is common in North America, Jamaica, India, &c. The variety from North America is almost wholly ( > fa £, Y^i/v////? m ( rt/^/tf 7 J6C0/ ''£■' LEPIDOPTERA. 65 brown, and those from Jamaica have less blue in the disk of the lower wings than those from China." Donovan, however, clearly here mistook distinct species for varieties. The American species thus named by Abbot and Smith is the P. Larinia of Fabricius, and in my copy of the Entomologia Systematica, which belonged to Professor Weber, the com- panion of Fabricius, the words " India orientali " are introduced in lieu of Jamaica. Papilio Clelia of Cramer, which is found on the coast of Guinea, has been supposed a variety of Papilio Orythia. Fabricius, in the Entomologia Systematica, has made it a distinct species. It greatly resembles P. Orythia, but has no more blue colour on the posterior wings than is concentrated in a large spot near the base. LIMENITIS LEUCOTHOE. Plate 35. fig. 3. Genus. Limenitis, Fabricius. (Papilio Nymphales Phalerati, Linn.) Ch. Sp. L. alis dentatis, supra fusco-nigris, subtus fulvis ; utrinque fasciis tribus macularibus albis ; posticarum fascia intermedia punctis nigris antrorsum fcetis. Expans. alar. 2 1 une. L. with the wings dentate, above brownish black, beneath clay coloured ; with three rows of white spots on both sides, the intermediate fascia of the posterior wings with black spots towards the base. Expanse of the wings 2 J inches. Syn. Papilio Leucothoe, Linn. Syst. Nat. 2. p. 780. Fabr. Ent. Syst. 3. I. p. 129. Enc. Meth. IX. p. 430. Herbst. Pap. tab. 240. /. 5. 6. Papilio Polyxina, Donov. 1st edition. Donovan regarded this as a new species, giving the following as the true Leucothoe of Linnaeus. The description given by that author, and especially his notice of the third row of spots in the posterior pair of wings being composed " ex maculis 7 albis puncto nigro fcetis," clearly applies to this and not to the following insect. 66 LEPIDOPTERA. LIMENITIS EURYNOME. Plate 35. fig. 4. Ch Sp L. alls dentatis supra fusco-nigris, subtus fulvis ; fasciis interruptis macularibus albis, subtus fusco cinctis, anticis fascia longitudinal! baseos e maculis duabus tnangu- laribus composita. Expans. alar. 2J unc. L. with the wings dentate, above brownish black, beneath fulvous, with interrupted white maculated bands, which on the under side are edged with brown, the ante- rior have also a longitudinal basal fascia, composed of two tnangular white spots, the bases of which are opposed to each other. Expanse of the wings 2 \ inches. Syn. Limenitis Eurynome, Westw. Papilio Leucothoe, Donov. 1st edit. Papilio Aceris major ex India, Esper. Pap. tab. 82./. 1. CYNTHIA (ENONE. Plate 36. fig. 1. Ch. Sp. C. alis denticulatis supra luteis margine omni nigro ; posticis basi late nigris, macula cyanea. Expans. alar. 2J unc. C. with the wings denticulated, above pale clay-coloured, with all the margins black, the base of the posterior black with a large cyaneous blue spot. Expanse of the wings 2 J inches. Syn. Papilio (Nymph. Gemm.) (Enone, Linn. Syst. Nat. 2. 770. " alis denticulatis. pri- moribus albido maculatis subbiocellatis, posticis basi cyaneis ocellis duobus." Fabr. Ent. Syst. 3. 1. 90. Kleman Ins. 1. t. 3./. 1. 2. Vanessa (Enone, Enc. Meth. IX. p. 318. Donovan says, that this insect is found throughout Asia (which is the locality assigned to it by Linnaeus and Fabricius), and is very common in China. In the Encyclopedic Methodique, the Cape of Good Hope is given as its habitat. The Linnasan specific character is applicable to the female; the male (according to M. Godart), which is here figured, having no eyes on the upper side of the wings. LEPIDOPTERA. 67 CYNTHIA ALMANA. Plate 36. fig. 2. Ch. Sp. C. alis anticis falcatis, posticis intus subcaudatis, omnibus supra fulvis, ocellis sesqui- altero, subtus fuscescentibus, posticis linea flavida transversa media. Expans. alar. 2f unc. C. with the anterior wings falcate, the posterior subcaudate at the inner angle, all ful- vous above, with an ocellus on each ; beneath brownish, the posterior with a yel- lowish transverse line in the centre. Expanse of the wings 2 j inches. Syn. Papilio (N. G.) Almana, Linn. Stjst. Nat. 2. 769. Fair. Ent. Syst. 3. I. p. 89. Cramer Pap.pl. 58. F. G. Herbst. Pap. t. 172. 1. 2. The angulated form of the wings of this butterfly gives it a remarkable appearance. The eyes on the wings somewhat resemble those of the Peacock butterfly, to which, in some other respects, it bears no distant similitude. It is common in China ; Fabricius gives its habitat Asia. NYMPHALIS (ACONTHEA) LUBENTINA. Plate 36. fig. 3. Ch. Sp. N. alis subdentatis, fusco-virescentibus ; anticis utrinque fascia alba, maculari ; pos- ticis apice punctis chermisinis, serie duplici digestis. Expans. alar. 2| unc. N. with the wings subdentate, brownish-green, the anterior on each side with a row of white spots, the posterior with scarlet spots arranged in a double series towards the extremity. Expanse of the wings 2 J inches. Syn. Papilio (Nymph.) Lubentina, Fabricius Ent. Syst. 3. 1. p. 121. Enc. Meth. IX. 400. Cramer Pap. pi. 155. C. D. Herbst. Pap. t. 146. 1. 2. Aconthea Lubentina, Horsfield Lep. Jav. pi. 5. f. 5. Papilio Lubentina is figured only in the works of Cramer : his specimen is not pre- cisely like ours, but agrees in all the essential peculiarities, and is unquestionably the same species. The semitransparent spots on the anterior wings are much larger in Cramer's figure than in the insect before us. 6S LEPIDOPTERA. NYMPHALIS JACINTHA. Plate 37. fig. 1. Ch. Sp. N. alls repando-dentatis, fuscis ; anticis striga punctoram alborura, posticis apice albis margine fusco lunulis albis. Expans. alar. 4— 4J unc. N. with the wings scalloped, brown ; the anterior with a row of spots on the anterior ' pair at the tips, posterior externally white, the margin being brown with white hinules. Expanse of the wings from 4 to 4J inches. Syn. Papilio (Nymph. Phal.) Jacintha, Drury, app. vol. 2. pi. 21. f. 1. 2. Fabricius Ent. Syst. 3. I. p. 60. 9 Papilio (Nymph.) Liria, Fab. Ent. Syst. 3. I. p. 126. $1 Papilio Perimale, Cramer, pi. 65. C. D. 67. B. This curious butterfly was found in the province of Pe-tche-lee, in China. It is in all probability the female of Pap. (N.) Liria, Fabr. It is represented, with P. Antiochus, on a leaf of the Urtica Nivea (White Nettle).* NYMPHALIS ANTIOCHUS. Plate 37. fig. 2. Ch. Sp. N. alis supra holosericeo-nigris, fascia communi nitide aurantia ; anticarum abbreviate. Expans. alar. 2| unc. N. with the wings above holosericeous black, with a broad shining orange bar com- mon to all the wings, but abbreviated in the anterior pair. Expanse of the wings 2| inches. Syn. Papilio (Dan. Fest.) Antiochus, Linn. Mant. 1. 537. Drury, app. vol. 3. pi. 7. f. 3.4. Fabricius Ent. Syst. 3. 1. p. 44. Enc. Meth. IX. p. 409. Papilio Eupalemon, Cramer, tab. 143. /. B. C. Le Veloute. Daubenton, pi. enl. 68./. 3. 4. This insect is very rare in European cabinets of insects. The specimen floured by Drury came from the Brazils, and Cramer's from Surinam. Fabricius, however, describes * Sir G. Staunton speaks of a cloth that the Chinese manufacture from the fibres of a dead nettle. Query Is this the species employed for that purpose ? no other is noticed by that author in the lists of plants collected in China. The nettle is of general use in Russian Tartary also ; the Kuriles, and other Siberian tribes, make cloth, cordage, thread, &c. of it. Gordon, &c. 9, w. / V/////6; ■ // V, '■'//<'. / J , / / ■ LEPIDOPTERA. 69 it as a native of China ; and Donovan states that the insect figured in the collection of drawings of Mr. Jones, of Chelsea, was a native of China, as well as the specimen in his own collection. There must, however, have been some mistake in respect to these spe- cimens, for not only are all the immediately allied species natives of South America, but Stoll observed its transformations in that country, and says, that the caterpillar feeds on the tamarind ; it is green, with two long spines on the head, and numerous other shorter spines on the body. NYMPHALIS SYLLA. Plate 38. Ch. Sp. N. alis dentatis, supra nigris viridi-maculatis striatisque ; anticis fascia maculari nivea. Expans. alar. 3£ unc. N. with the wings dentate, black on the upper side, with green spots and lines, the anterior with a row of white spots, the central fascia of the posterior wings exter- nally radiated. Expanse of the wings 3§ inches. Syn. Papilio Sylla, Cramer Pap. t. 43. f. F. G. Papilio Sylvia, Herbst. Pop. t. 247./. 2. 3. Papilio (N.) Gambrisius, Fabr. Ent. Syst. 3. 1. p. 85. Donov. 1st edit. Nymphalis Sylvina, Enc. Meth. IX. p. 381. A specimen of this very rare Papilio was taken in one of the small islands on the eastern coast of China, and was in the possession of Mr. Francillon. Sir J. Banks, Bart, had a specimen of it from another part of the East Indies. It also occurs in Java and Amboyna (Enc. Meth.). LEPIBOPTERA. MYRINA (LOXURA) ATYMNUS. Plate 39. fig. 1. Family. Lyc/enids, Swainson. Genus. Myrina, Fabr. Enc. Meth. Sub-Gen. Loxura, Horsfield Lep. Jav. p. 119. Ch. Sp. M. alis supra fulvo-testaceis, apice nigro, posticis longe caudatis. Expans. alar. H— If unc. M. with the wings above orange red, with the tips black, the posterior with very long tails white at the tips. Expanse of the wings \\ — If inches. Syn. Papilio (Pleb. Rural.) Atymnus, Fab. Ent. Syst. 3. 1. p. 283. Cramer, pi. 331. Jig. D. E. (palpis deteritis.) Loxura Atymnus, Horsfield Lep. Jav. p. 119. pi. 2. /. 6. Boisduval Hist. Nat. Lep. 1. pi. 7 .fig. 3. This is also a scarce species. Donovan's specimen was from the collection of the late Duchess Dowager of Portland, who procured it from China. Another specimen in the cabinet of Sir J. Banks, Bart, is from Siam. Dr. Horsfield found it in Java. The plant represented in the plate is Hemerocallis Japonica, brought from China bv Mr. Slater. THECLA MECENAS. Plate 39. fig. 2. Genus. Thecla, Fabricius. (Papilio Hesperia Pleb. rural., Fabricius olim \ Ch. Sp. Th. alis bicaudatis atris disco caeruleo, subtus brunneo nebulosis. Exrjan- 1 If unc. Th. with the wings black, and furnished with two tails, the disc bein^ blue -1 clouded with brown. Expanse of the wings If inches. Syn. Hesperia (R.) Maecenas, Jones. Fab. Ent. Syst. 3. 1. p. 271. 4.5. £ ,., IX. p. 639. / r /'//'I ///// '--■ f/y/n ////,/. 2.0>S,hc&- .y'( Lt&ffWrf.. / C ■ /) / // / I ' / > -C/ y / / ?A-/ \X/ y s LEPIDOPTERA. 71 DEILEPHILA NECHUS? Plate 40. fig. i. Section. Crepuscularia, Latreille. Family. Sfhingidje, Leach. Genus. Deilephila, Ochsenh. Sphinx p. Linn. Sj-c. Ch. Sp. D. " alis integris ; anticis viridibus ; striga. testacea,; posticis nigris ; maculis baseos fasciaque flavis." Fabric, loc. cit. subtils. Expans. alar. 3| unc. D. with the wings entire, the anterior green with a testaceous streak, (" with testa- ceous marks," Donov.) the posterior black with spots at the base, and a row of spots near the extremity. Expanse of the wings 3 \ inches. Syn. Sphinx Nechus? Fabricius Ent. Syst. 3. I. p. 377. Cramer Ins. t. 178./. B. The number of Chinese species of this genus, already described, is very limited : the insect represented in the accompanying figures is the largest of them ; but as this is inferior in size to several kinds found in Europe, we conceive there must remain many larger species of the genus unknown to collectors of foreign insects, and yet very common in China. In the latter part of Sir G. Staunton's work, that author mentions the larva of a Sphinx Moth which furnish an article for the table of the Chinese. We regret that the indefinite expression cannot assist us to determine the species, and scarcely the genus, of the insect alluded to.* The specimen figured in the annexed plate was in the collection of Mr. Francillon, who received it from China. The habitat of D. Nechus, given by Fabricius, is America ; and Cramer has represented a small variety of the same species from North America. * European naturalists are entirely ignorant of the Chinese insects in the state of larva and pupa, if we except a few species of the Cimices, Cicada, and some altogether uninteresting insects, that have been acci- dentally brought among others from that country. Hence it must remain undetermined whether they correspond in form with those of other parts of the world. It is, however, highly probable, from their great affinity to those in the perfect state, that in the state of larva they may also agree. The extensive collection of the larvae of sphinges made by Mr. Abbot in North America affords no singularly constructed animal distinct from those found in Europe; they vary indeed in their colours, but preserve uniformly the characters found on the same genus in other countries. We noticed among the drawings of the late Mr. Bradshaw the figure of a Chinese sphinx, apparently S. Hylas, together with a larva similar to that of the S. Stellatarum : it was green, and, like all the known larvse of the family (except the Adscitce division), was perfectly free from hairs : it was also furnished with a horn at the posterior part of the body. LEPIDOPTERA. Moreover, Donovan's figure and description do not precisely correspond with the Fabrician description, so that on both these grounds I have considered it advisable to give the specific name with a mark of doubt. Sphinx Batus and Sphinx Gnoma are nearly allied to this insect, particularly the former ; both are found in different parts of the East Indies. GLAUCOPIS POLYMENA. Plate 40. fig. 2. Family. Zycsnids, Leach. Genus. Glaucopis, Fabr. Sphinx, Linn. Donov. Ch. Sp. G. nigra alis maculis luteis, anticis tribus, posticis duabus; abdomine cingulis duobus coccineis. Expans. alar, fere 2 unc. G. black, wings spotted with deep yellow, the anterior having three and the posterior two spots, abdomen with two scarlet bands. Expanse of the wings nearly 2 inches. Syn. Sphinx Polymena, Linn. Syst. Nat. 2. 806. no. 40. Cram. Ins. t. 13. f. D. Fabr. Ent. Syst. 3. l.p. 396. Drury Exot. Ent. I. t. 26./. 1. This beautiful creature is probably scarce in China ; at least it is very rarely found among the insects brought from that country. It is figured on the plate with the Rosa semperflorens (Ever-blowing China Rose). SESIA HYLAS. Plate 41. fig. l. Genus. Sesia, Fabricius. Sphinx, Linn. Donov. Ch. Sp. S. alis fenestratis, abdomine barbato viridi, cingulo purpureo. Expans. alar unc. S. with transparent wings, body pale yellow green, abdomen with a brush at the tic and a purple belt round the middle. Expanse of the wings 2 J inches. Syn. Sphinx Hylas, Linn. Mant. 1.539. Fabr. Ent. Syst. 3. l.p. 379. Sphinx Picus, Cramer Ins. t. 148. f. B. /V ?&/. £, C^u£m^it/sz p ? '/wow LEPIDOPTERA. 73 CALLIMORPHA? THALLO. Plate 41. fig. 2. Section . Nocturna ? Family. Arctiid*, Stephens ? Genus. Callimorpiia ? Latreille. Sphinx, Linn. Ch. Sp. C. alis oblongis integerrimis nigris anticis fasciis duabus, posticis unica flavis ; capite rubro. Expans. alar. 2 unc. C. with oblong entire black wings, anterior pair shaded with blue at the base, and with two pale yellow fasciee ; posterior wings with a pale yellowish space, head red. Expanse of the wings 2 inches. Syn. Papilio Thallo, Linn. Syst. Nat. 2. 756. Fair. Ent. Syst. 3. I. p. 173. Sphinx pectinicornis, Linn. Syst. Nat. 2. 807. Fab. Ent. Syst. 3. 1. p. 399. Ed- wards Aves, 36. t. 226. Phalasna tiberina, Cramer, t. 32./. C. D. Sphinx Thallo, Donov. 1st edit. Donovan entered into a lengthened observation, shewing that Fabricius had given a Papilio Thallo in all his works when no such Papilio was in existence, and that Edwards' figure of the insect in question was derived from a mutilated or mended specimen. The former error is, however, rather to be attributed to Linnaeus, who introduced all the con- fusion by describing Edwards' figure both as a Papilio and Sphinx. The figures of Cramer and Edwards do not precisely agree ; in the former, the disk of the posterior wings is yellowish, with a deep border of black : in the other, the yellow occupies only a space near the base, and forms a semi-lunar mark near the ante- rior margin of those wings. Donovan suspected, with Cramer, that they are but the two sexes of one species. Cramer says both his specimens came from China, from whence Donovan's insects were also received. The real affinities of this and some other allied spe- cies are very perplexing, they seem, however, to connect the Zygaenidae with the Arctiidas. LEPIDOPTERA. CALLIMORPHA ? RUF1COLLIS. Plate 41. fig. 3. Ch. Sp. C. " alis integerrimis nigro-purpurascentibus, fascia communi maculisque duabus flavis, thorace antice brunneo." Expans. alar. 1| unc. C. with the wings entire, black purple, a semicircular yellowish band communicating across all the wings, and two spots of the same colour near the apex, collar red- dish. Expanse of the wings 1 J inch. Syn. Sphinx ruficollis, Donov. 1st edit. This and the following species were considered by Donovan to be undoubted non- descripts : both species were in the collection of Mr. Francillon, who received them from China. CALLIMORPHA ? BIFASCIATA. Plate 41. fig. 4. Ch. Sp. C. alis fulvis ; anticarum fascia apiceque nigris. Expans. alar. 1 unc. C. with orange or fulvous wings, anterior pair with a black bar across the middle, and the tips black. Expanse of the wings 1 inch. The plant represented is Thuja Orientalis (China Abor-vitai Tree), an ornamental evergreen, much esteemed by the Chinese, and very frequently represented in their land- scapes. Sir G. Staunton remarks, in the account of the journey from Pekin to Canton that great quantities of this plant grew to a prodigious height in the valley in which stands the city of Yen-choo-foo. ; A, // : V ,_ >M ' ... /; ( **:> 76 LEPIDOPTERA. obscurity of the forest in the day, and only venture on the wing when the sun is down. In Europe we visit their nocturnal haunts without difficulty or dread ; but in hotter cli- mates these are oftentimes impenetrable, or the lurking places of ferocious animals ; and few will expose themselves to their attacks to increase the catalogue of exotic moths.* Phalaena Atlas is the first species we have to notice. It is one of the largest of the moth tribe,! and is, indeed, a gigantic creature. The species is common, but not peculiar to China, being found in other parts of Asia, and in America. The influence of climate is easily traced in the individuals from different countries ; that from Surinam is the largest, and of the deepest colours. The Chinese kind is the next in size ; the colours incline to orange, and the anterior wings are more falcated, or hooked, at the ends. We * The far greater number of moths can only be taken in the woods at night. This is termed mothiny by collectors. The moths begin to stir about twilight, and when almost dark, commence their flight. The collector is furnished with a large gauze folding-net, in which the insects are caught indiscriminately, for it is impossible to distinguish one species from another, and often is so dark, that the object itself can barely be discerned. Different species have their favourite haunts, some the lanes and skirts of woods, but many of them prefer the open breaks in the most retired places. As it would be unsafe, or impossible, to penetrate the woods in many countries, it is better to collect the larvae, or caterpillars, for these may be found on the trees in the day-time, and if kept in little gauze cages, and carefully fed, will change into chrysalides, and produce the moths. This is certainly tedious, and few travellers will divert their attention from more important observations ; but were they to appropriate their leisure to this branch of science, they would materially improve entomology. Mr. Abbot investigated a small district of Georgia, in North America, in this manner, and our cabinets are indebted to his labours for several hundred species, altogether new in Europe. The reader may estimate the importance of these discoveries, by referring to the two expensive volumes of North American Lepidopterous Insects ; and re- flecting, that the originals of all the species included in that work are but a small selection from those he has furnished us with. Viewing these as the result of one man's research, in an inconsiderable portion of North America, what a variety of new and splendid kinds would be the reward of those, who should explore the more genial regions of Asia, Africa, and South America, with equal diligence and information ! We have hazarded an assertion which may seem inadmissible, that the Phaltenae are infinitely more nu- merous than the Papiliones, or any other tribe of insects. Not that we possess more, but because, in every country that has been investigated, experience justifies such opinion. For instance, in Great Britain we have only sixty a Papiliones, and by mere accident two or three local species have lately been added ; of the Phatense we have more than 900. The same comparative proportion is observed throughout the countries of the Euro- pean continent ; and it is singularly analogous, that our opinion is confirmed, by the recent discoveries of Mr. Abbot in America. t When Linnaeus described it, few of the very large species of Phalsena were known. There are two spe- cies from the interior of Africa, which are larger than the Chinese Atlas, and several others scarcely inferior in magnitude. ' (There are now about eighty-five indigenous British butterflies, and between seventeen and eio hundred moths. J. O. W.) = LEPIDOPTERA. have two other Asiatic varieties still smaller, with the wings extremely falcated. These are to be regarded as distinct species. The larva of Phalsena Atlas is figured by M. Merian, in the Insecta Surinamensia, plate 52 : it is about four inches in length, green, with a yellow stripe disposed longitu- dinally. Upon each segment are four distinct round tubercles, of a coral-like orange colour, which are surrounded with very delicate hairs. The >pupa is large, and inclosed in a web of an ochre colour. The silk of this web is of a strong texture, and it has been imagined, that if woven, it would be superior in durability to that of the common silk worm. Stba has also represented the larva at fig. 1. plate 57. vol. 4. Thesaurus Natures. It is nearly six inches in length, and bulky in proportion ; the Phalaena is also larger than that figured by Merian, which is a small specimen of the Surinam species. According to Merian, there are three broods of this insect in a year ; they are very common, and feed on the orange trees. Linnaeus says, they adhere so tenaciously to the leaves that they can scarcely be taken off.* The common silk worm, or Phalsena Mori, belongs to this family, and merits obser- vation as a native of China. The art of weaving its threads into silk is of the earliest date. The discovery is attributed to the Seres, a people of the East Indies, supposed the Chinese. t In the days of Solomon, we are told, a woman named Pamphilia, of the Island of Co, was skilled in the art of making cloth of the silk brought from the country of the Seres. The most ancient of the Chinese writers ascribe the invention to one of the women of the emperor Hoang ti, named Si ling, and in honour Yuen fei.\ When Rome dege- nerated into voluptuousness, Persia, its dependency, furnished this article of luxury ; but it is supposed they were indebted to the Chinese for it, and being supplied only in small quantities, it was consequently dear. In Rome it was so scarce, as to be worn only by persons of the first distinction. The Chinese historians affirm, that the discovery was considered at first of such im- portance, that all the women in the palace of the emperor were engaged in rearing the insect and weaving its silk. In after times, the silk of China was a principal article of commerce ; but latterly, its value has been materially lessened by the culture and fabri- cation of silk in other countries. As the Chinese know little of the use of linen, the silk is a staple article of their own consumption. The Jesuit missionaries mention several * Larva verticillata verrucis pilosis nee folliculos grandes, tenaces, vix extricandos. Linn. Syst. Nat. f Velleraque ut foliis depectant tenuia Seres. Virg. Georg. II. 122. I Du Halde, Des Soyeries. Les plus anciens ecrivans de cet empire en attribuent la decouverte a une des femmes de l'Empereur Hoang ti, nommee Si ling, et surnommee par honneur Yuen fei. LEPIDOPTERA. sorts of it in use among the Chinese ; some admired for beauty, and others for durability. It is generally supposed these are not merely the effect of different manufacture, but are the produce of distinct insects.* Sir G. Staunton speaks of the culture of silk worms * M. Merian says, in the description of the Surinam variety of Phalsena Atlas : " Telam ducunt fortem, quare bonum fore sericum rata, istius aliquam eollegi copiam et in Belgium transmisi, ubi eadem optima judicata est : ut itaque, si quis Erucas istas congregandi laborem non detrectaverit, et bonee notse bombycem, et maximum hinc lucrum sibi comparare posset." The thread of which this coccon's web is composed is so strong, that it has been imagined it would make good silk. [ have brought some of it into Holland, which has been esteemed such ; so that if any one would take the trouble to collect a number of these caterpillars, thev would be found good silk worms, and produce great profit. Merian.— Abbot informs us, the Moths of the Emperor tribe in general are called silk worms by the people of Georgia; and in the description of Phaleena Cecropia is still more explicit : for he says, " the caterpillar spins on a twig ; the outside web is coarse, the inner covered with silk, like a silk worm's coccon. It is said this silk has been carded, spun, and made 'into stockings, and that it will wash like linen." Abbot's Ins. by Dr. J. E. Smith.— These insects are all of the same natural order, P. Cecropia is rather smaller, but very similar to P. Atlas, and this information at least corroborates the assertion of Merian. An opinion that the Chinese rear several kinds of insects for the sake of their silk has long been prevalent Dr. Lettsom proposes a query on this subject, " Which species of moth or butterfly is it the caterpillar of which, in China, affords that strong grey kind of silk, and how is it manufactured or wore ' How are these s.lk worms or caterpillars preserved, fed, and managed' The introduction of such a new silk into England would be a useful acquisition, and redeem entomology from the censure it is now branded with of beinsr a mere cur.os.ty void of any real utility.- If Lesser and Lyonet are to be relied on, the Theoloyie des Insectes answers this query. « At this day there are to be found in China, in the province of Canton, silk worms in a wild state, which, without any care being taken of them, make in the woods a kind of silk which the inhabitant, afterwards gather from the trees. It is grey, without lustre, and is used to make a very thick and st onf H named there K.en Tcheon. It may be washed like linen cloth, and does not stain " A -ntl , the East Indies speaks of a large Phakena producing silk in that count, ^ « We havt a^eauS S north-east of Bengal, that feeds on the Ricinus, whence I call it Phalina Ricini Ti , Pa u T spines, very large and voracious, and spins a coarse, but strong and useful s^k Th ITw' "* with elegant dark plumage. Is it known to European natural! ts V 7na V LwT " !T ""■ Dr. Anderson in Madras, 1788, 1789.-M. Le Bon, Reaumur, Roese. and vet Xf T' " "'' weave the silk of spiders as a substitute for that of silk worms, but t^Z^l^ZTT^ out the .ngenuity of the proposers than promise to be useful; for after many trials it Z T '? V ° im spiders would be inferior in lustre and far more expensive than that of l^ZT SrlTunt n f °' these expenments in his description of the Java forests. « In some open spots were found K f '" woven wuh threads of so strong a texture, as not easily to be divided without a cu Z "t ' P f"' seemed to render feasible the idea of him who, in the southern provinces of Europe & T "' ' ^ from spiders' threads, which is so ridiculous to the eyes of those who have only viewedT'fl " mnufactUre msects spin in England." Many other substances of a soft texture have also been wo ■ I 'T ^ ^ tr.fl.ng articles, as gloves, stockings, &c. of the fibres of Asbestos earth, or mountain flaxl'T r T^ ° f Puma shell, &c &c. nax - bear d ot the larsre Naturalist and Traveller's Companion, 1774. / ,/7r/f/ l 7?j/ /W///////V,/. LEPIDOPTERA. 79 in China, but only of the common sort. It will gratify curiosity, if not prove advan- tageous, should future observers ascertain what kind of insects the Chinese appropriate to making silk, and whether P. Atlas is of the number, as has been conjectured. It is indeed to be observed, that in India several distinct species of Saturnia are known to be employed in the production of silk ; the most important of which are the Tusseh (S. Paphia, Linn.), the Arrindi (S. Cynthia, Drury), and the Kolisurra silk worm of the Dukhun.* HELEONA MILITARIS. Plate 43. fig. 1. Family. Arctiid^e ? Genus. Heleona, Stuains. Zool. Illustr. N. Ser. 116. Ch. Sp. H. alis patulis concoloribus luteis apice maculisque violaceis, anticis extus albo-macu- latis. Expans. alar. 3 J unc. H. with the wings extended at rest, the anterior and posterior pairs coloured alike, luteous yellow, with the extremity and spots at the base violet, the anterior with whitish spots at the tips. Expanse of the wings 3J inches. Syn. Phalsena militaris, Linn. Syst. Nat. 2. 811. Fabricius Ent. Syst. 3. 2. p. 416. Roesel. Ins. 4. t. 6. f. 3. Cramer. Ins. t. 29. f. B. The natural situation of this and some other allied insects is doubtful ; it forms the type of Mr. Swainson's group Heleona, but is considered by that author to belong to the tribe of Sphingides, and family of Zyggeidse (Anthoceridae, Swainson). * See the Memoirs of Dr. Roxburgh in the Linnaean Transactions, and of Lieut. -Col. VV, H. Sykes in the Transactions of the Royal Asiatic Society. LEPIDOPTERA. EUSEMIA LECTRIX. Plate 43. fig. 2. Genus. Eusemia, Dalman. Phatena, Linn, frc. Ch. Sp. E. alis incumbentibus nigris, maculis creruleis flavis albisque, posticis rubro alboque maculatis. Expans. alar. 3 unc. E. with the wings incumbent, black, anterior with blue, yellow, and white spots, pos- terior with red and white spots. Expanse of the wings 3 inches. Syn. Phalaena (Noctua) lectrix, Linn. Syst. Nat. I.p. 834. Fabr. Ent. Sijst. 3. 1. p. 475. Eusemia lectrix, Dalm. Monoyr. Castn. This is so scarce an insect, that Mr. Drury informed Donovan he had only been able to procure a single specimen in the course of thirty years collecting insects. EREBUS MACROPS. Plate 44. fig. l. Family. NoctuidjE. Genus. Erebus, Latreille. Thysania, Dalman. Ch. Sp. E. alis dentatis, fuscis, nigro-undulatis ; anticis ocello magno luteo, annulo mo-ro cincto. Expans. alar. 5\ unc. E. with the wings dentated, brown with black waves, the anterior having a lar»e luteous ocellus, surrounded by a black ring. Expanse of the wings 5| inch. ' Syn. Phaleena (Attacus) Macrops, Linn Syst. Nat. 4. p. 225. Noctua Bubo, Fabr. Mant. Ins. 2. 209. Ent. Syst. III. 1. p . 9. Donovan 1 Edit. (Phalsena B.) Sulzer. Ins. t. 22./. 2. Cramer. Pap. t. 171 f B ' This is the largest of the Chinese Noctua ; some very similar species, but with 1 orange eye, and of a smaller size, are peculiar to China. LEPIDOPTERA. HIPPARCHUS ZONARIUS. Plate 44. fig. 2. Family. Geometrid;e, Leach. Genus. Hipparchus, Leach. Ch. Sp. H. alis viridibus, margine posteriore late rufescente, singulis macula marginali viridi. Expans. alar. 1 J unc. H. with the wings green, deeply bordered with pale red, with a green spot on the exterior margin of each wing. Expanse of the wings 1 \ inch. Syn. Phalaena Zonaria, Donov. 1st edit. CALLIMORPHA? PANTHOREA. Plate 44. fig. 3. Genus. Callimorpha? Ch. Sp. C. alis caeruleo-nigris, fascia maculari apicis alba. Expans. alar. 2J unc. C. with blue-black wings, having a row of white spots along the posterior margins. Expanse of the wings 2h inches. Syn. Phalasna Panthorea, Cram. Ins. t. 322. f. C. Phalaena pagaria, Fab. Ent. Syst. III. 2. p. 153. Donov. 1st edit. (Phalasna, Geometra, p.) The insect here figured, and those represented in plate 41. fig. 2. and plate 43. fig. 1. are very intimately allied together ; nevertheless, Donovan separated them, placing one in each of the three great divisions, Sphinx, Bombyx, and Geometra. NEUROPTERA. Order. NEUROPTERA. Linnanis. jESHNA CLAVATA. Plate 45. fig. 1. Family. Liisellulid/E, Leach. Genus. jEsiina, Fabr. Libcllula p. Linn. Donov. Cordulegaster, Leach. Cn. Sp. IE. abdomine clavato, basi gibbo ; corpore nigro, fusco viridique variegato. Expans alar. 3J unc. IE. with the abdomen clavate gibbose at the base ; body black, varied with brown and green; stigma brown. Expanse of the wings 3 J inches. SrN. iEshna clavata, Fabr. Ent. Syst. II. p. 385. Spec. Ins. 1. p. 526. 4. Linnaeus divides the dragon flies (Libcllula, Linn) into two sections : — " 1. alis paten- tibus acquiescentes ;" and "2. (alis erectis) oculi distantes remotique." Fabricius divides the Linnsean Libellulse into three distinct genera ; the first retains the Lmnsean name, the second and third are called Aeshna and Agrion. Their most essential characters are taken from the form and situation of the mouth, and therefore require a deep magnifier to determine them with accuracy. Donovan states, that he had examined those parts in the greater number of the species Fabricius has described, and found his characters agree, except in one instance ; which Donovan nevertheless considered a proof of the impracti- cability of adopting the whole of his system : he describes Libellula Chinensis, and refers to the only figure that has been given of it, in one of the plates of Edwards's Natural History of Birds, 1745.* Had Fabricius ever seen and examined this rare species, he must have referred it to his genus Agrion, each of the lips being bifid, or two-cleft, as in Libellula virgo and puella, — the essential characteristic of the genus Ao-rion ; for the mouths of the Libellulae of Fabricius differ altogether in structure, and are not notched in the slightest degree, as Libellula clavata, ferruginea, 6-maculata, and the European species, Libellula depressa, will sufficiently illustrate. Donovan, however, rejecting the Fabrician generic distribution, states, that iEshna clavata must be arranged with L. grandis and forcipata ; but it is nearer allied to Cor- dulegaster annulatus, Leach (Libellula Boltoni of Donovan's British Insects.) * That Fabricius should have erred in the location of a species which he had never seen, but knew only through a rude figure, is not surprizing; but surely such a circumstance can be no proof of the impropriety of a system founded, as Donovan clearly shews, on characters of stability. J. O. W. /.Jwatma, r/,//', Z. ^J/^a/z/A. -TM'U&zafa'. 3..^J/tY//v/t7 6 7/7/7(777 77M. NEUROPTERA LIBELLULA VARIEGATA Plate 4.5. fig. 2. GliNUS. Libellula, Linn. SfC. Cn Sp. L. alis fusco-maculatis et undulatis, basi flavis, posticis versus apicem macula magna fusca puncto flavo ; apice albo. Expans. alar. 3 uric. L. with the wings spotted and undulated with brown, yellow at the base, the posterior towards the tips with a large brown fascia, having a small yellow spot, the tips yellow. Expanse of the wings 3 inches. Syn. Libellula variegata, Linn. Am. Acad. 6. 412. 86. Syst. Nat. 1. 2. p. 904. Drury Exot. Ent. 2nd edit. 2. p. 94. nee Fabr. op. cit. p. 382. Libellula Histrio, Fabr. Mant. Ins. 1. 337. 24. Libellula Indica, Fabr. Ent. Syst. 2. 376. Guerin Icon. R. An. Ins.pl. 60. f. I. Donovan, 1st edit. Libellula Arria, Drury Exot. Entom. 1st edit. v. I. pi. 46. f. 1. Another species of Libellulida- peculiar to India, and found in China, greatly re- sembles this insect ; it is probably a variety of it. LIBELLULA G-MACULATA. Plate 45. fig. 3. S et ? Cn. Sp, L. alis anticis maculis tribus costalibus atris ; ultima stigmate nivco; posticis fasciis flavescentibus. Expans. alar. 1 1 una L. with three black spots on the costa of the anterior wings, stigma white, posterior wings with yellow clouds. Expanse of the wings 1J inch. Syn. Libellula 6-maculata, Fab. Ent. Syst. 2. p. 381. These delicate insects appear to be male and female ; they are almost a miniature resemblance of the two sexes of Libellula depressa found in Europe ; one having the abdomen yellow, and the other blue. 84 NEUROPTERA. AGRION CHINENSIS. Plate 46. fig. 1. Genus. Agrion, Fabr. Calepteryx, Leach. Cn. Sp. A. alis anticis testaceo-obsoletis, posticis viriditms, apice fuscis. Expans. alar 2£ une A. with the anterior wings brownish, posterior green with brown tips. Expanse of the wings 2| inches. Svn. Libellula Chinensis, Linn. Syst. Nat. 2. 904. 15. Fabr. Ent. Syst. 2. 379. Edw Aves t. 112. Guerin Icon. R. An. Ins. t. 60. f. 4. (Agrion c.) The only two specimens of this species with which Donovan was acquainted, wen in the collection of the late Duchess of Portland ; one of which afterwards passed intc the possession of Mr. Francillon. LIBELLULA SERVILIA. Plate 46. fig. 2. Cii. Sp. L. alis hyalinis, basi flavis ; corpore rubro. Expans. alar. '2| unc. L. with the wings hyaline, yellow at the base, body red. Expanse of the wings 2| inches. Svn. Libellula Servilia, Drury Exot. Ent. \st edit. app. vol. 2. Libellula ferrugata, Fabr. Mant. Ins. 336. 11. Libellula ferruginea, Fabr. Ent. Syst. 2. p. 380. Donovan, 1st edit. Very common in China. LIBELLULA FULVIA. Plate 46. fig. 3. Cm. Sp. L. luteo-testacea, alis fulvescentibus, marginibus anticis testaeeis macula media sub pellucida, stigmate ad apicem fusco. Expans. alar. 2* unc L. luteo-testaceous; wings fulvescent, with the anterior margins'testaceou, h» ■ pellucid spot in the middle, and the stigma brown. Expanse of the\ "'" - inches. wings .j* Syn. Libellula Fulvia, Drury Exot. Ent. vol. 2. pi. 46. fig. , d/ '('/", j qJ^UI'Icsl /? - -r/tr DIMEROSOMATA. Order. DIMEROSOMATA. Leach. EPEIRA (NEPHILA) MACULATA. Plate 47. Class. Arachnida. Lamarck. Aptera p. Linnceus. Order. Dimerosomata, Leach. Family. Araneidx, Leach, Genus. Epeira, Walckender. Sub-Gen. Nephila, Leach Zool. Misc. Ch. Sp. E. corpore elongato, cephalo-thorace holosericeo argenteo, abdomine cyliudrico t'usco- rubro lineis punctisque albis ; pedibus longissimis atris. Long. Corp. If unc. E. with the body elongated, cephalo-thorax holosericeus and silvery, abdomen cy- lindric, red-brown with spots and lines of white, legs very long and black. Length of the body 1J inches. Syn. Aranea maculata, Fabr. Ent. Syst. 2. p. 4'25. This remarkable creature is peculiar to some parts of the Chinese empire. It is not the largest of the genus known ; yet it is of sufficient magnitude to excite terror and disgust. To an European, who has seen only the indigenous spiders of his own country, a species five or six inches in length, and nearly the same in breadth, must appear a frightful creature : Epeira Maculata sometimes exceeds that size ; but it has not the forbidding aspect of most insects of the same genus. The legs are unusually long, and the body slender. In its general appearance it resembles some kinds of the Phalangia that are known in England by the vulgar name Harvest-men, being generally seen about that time of the year. It has been observed, that nature oftentimes adorns the most deformed and loathsome of her creatures in the richest display of colours ; and this is especially noticed in many sorts of snakes, toads, lizards, &c. Spiders seem also of this description : to a form the most hideous we frequently find united a brilliance of colours, and elegance of marking, that is scarcely excelled by any of the butterfly tribe, — the most beautiful of all lepidop- terous insects. Our present subject is a striking proof of the latter part of this obser- vation. The three figures in our plate of Epeira Maculata exhibit a front and a profile view of the insect, together with the front of the head at the third figure. The head is furnished with two very strong black mandibles, each terminated in an extremely acute point. The fore part of the cephalo-thorax, which is wholly of a fine silky appearance, and the colour of silver, bending over the mandibles in the form of an arch, or circular DECAPOD A. bead-piece, gives it the resemblance of a black head with a crown of silver on the brow. This appearance is heightened in no small degree by three rugged prominences one in the centre, and another on each side, on the upper part; and by the minute black eyes, which, like those of most spiders, sparkle with the lustre of small gems. These eyes are eight in number, four are placed immediately in the front of the silver-coloured circular front piece, and on each side are two placed close together thus : .. : The body is really beautiful, the chief colour is deep brown, strongly tinged with bright purple; a broad stripe of orange colour passes down the abdomen from the cephalo-thorax to the apex : the whole is elegantly marked with a variety of cream- coloured lines and spots intersecting each other. Very little hair is found on any part of this spider except on the cephalo-thorax, which being rubbed off, discovers a hard testaceous black substance beneath. The description given by Fabricius accords in every respect with our specimen. The only insect with which it could possibly be confounded is Aranea Pilipes, which also has never been figured ; it differs, however, from Aranea Maculata in the very hairy clothing of the legs, and it has also two silver stripes down the back : a striking specific distinction to separate it from our insect. It is also a native of the East Indies, but not of China, that we are informed. Order. DECAPODA. Latreille. ORITHYIA MAMILLARIS. Plate 48. Class. Crustacea, Cuvier. Aptera p. Linnceus. Order. Decapoda, Latreille. Section. Brachyura, Latreille. Family. Portunid/e. Genus. Oiuthyia. Fabricius. Cancer p. Linn. Donov. Cii. Sp. O. testa utrinque trispinosa, tabcreulata, maculis duabus rufis, fronte tridentato Long. test. \\ unc. O. with the carapax having three spines on each side and tuberculated, with two red spots, the front tridentate. Length 1^ inch. Syn. Cancer mamillaris, Fabr. Eut. Syst. 2. 405. 91. It is worthy of remark, that this is the only species of the old genus C Fabricius mentions as a native of China. oncer, which '4./M * -7/l a /?////■< 7/YJ. • '