seem more especially to illustrate that wonderful system on which the whole
has been created. In the infinite diversity which pervades the works of
"Him who made us," two things have obviously been intended: one, the
manifestation of His power in the creation of the individual: the other, an
illustration of some important truth connected with the spiritual welfare
of mankind. The first is manifest, and speaks to our senses: the second is
emblematical, and calls for an exertion of those reasoning faculties with
which the Creator, for such purposes, aided by those helps he has promised,
has given to us. In accordance with this latter assumption, both divines
and Naturalists concur in considering Nature as a book of Emblems, "where
one thing represents another." That this theory, resting heretofore on
general belief, is capable of mathematic definition, we have elsewhere
largely demonstrated, (North. Zool.). And if, as regards one division of
animated nature the theory is correct, it follows that it will be equally
manifested in _all_ other portions of the animal world, when they are
sufficiently investigated. Hence it is that remote resemblances between
objects, widely different in themselves, can be explained: hence the
analogy which the _Glires_ bears to the Hedgehogs, and to the
_Ceblepyrinæ_; and hence the resemblance between this shell and the
Porcupines; an analogy the more singular, as it extends even to the black
and white colour of the spines.
* * * * * *
[Illustration: JASIA _Australis_.]
JASIA Australis,
_Australian Jasia-Butterfly._
----
Family Nymphalidæ. Sub-family Paphianæ. Genus, ----
SUB-GENERIC CHARACTER.
See pl. 90.
----
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
_Wings above yellowish white, the outer half of the anterior black with a
series of spots disposed in the shape of the letter Y; inferior wings
with a black border, margined by cinereous, and an orange spot at the
anal angle._
----
We believe the specimen from which our figures of this new and strikingly
distinct butterfly were taken, is the only one which has yet been sent to
Europe. It was captured by Mr. Cunningham, who accompanied Captain King, in
his voyage to the North West coast of Australia, on the skirts of Careening
Bay, Port Nelson, where the Ship Mermaid was hove down; and the officers
had more leasure to attend to zoological pursuits. Mr. Cunningham remarked
that it flew with great swiftness, in which respect it perfectly resembles
the rest of the genus _Jasia_, of which it is a typical example. The
geographic range of this group is thus proved to extend from the South of
Europe to Australia, but it is entirely unknown in the new world.
The family of _Nymphalidæ_ is the sub-typical group of the diurnal
Lepidoptera, forming our tribe _Papiliones_. In its own circle it therefore
represents the _Feræ_ among quadrupeds, the _Raptores_ among birds, the
_Aptera_ among annulose animals, and the _Scolopendridæ_ in the order
_Myriapoda_. The analogical representations resulting from this view of the
subject are innumerable.
* * * * * *
[Illustration: TERACOLUS _Sub-fasciatus_.]
TERACOLUS sub-fasciatus,
_Burchells Yellow._
----
Family Papilionidæ. Sub-family Colianæ. Genus (?). Teracolus _Nob._
GENERIC CHARACTERS.
Antennæ with the club abrupt, and more or less compressed anterior wings
trigonal, posterior rounded; Palpi as in _Colias_, but the scales
intermixed with hairs.
----
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
_Anterior wings pale yellow, with a terminal orange spot, margined
externally with brown, and internally by a short black bar; areola with a
black dot; posterior wings yellowish white, both beneath immaculate._
----
Mr. Burchell was the first who discovered this unpublished species in the
interior of Southern Africa, and by his kindness we are enabled to
illustrate it. His specimens, unfortunately, are not in the best condition,
for he was obliged to preserve many of his insects in books; and these,
having been among the number, may probably have had the antennæ more
compressed than they were in nature. The form of this butterfly,
nevertheless, is perfectly distinct from _Colias_, as may be seen by
comparing the nerves of the anterior wings, here given in outline.
Not having completed our analysis of the _Colianæ_, we cannot speak with
any confidence on the rank or the station of this type; we are inclined to
believe it is a _genus_ between those of Colias and Terias, connecting this
sub-family with the _Licininæ_. It may, however, be one of the sub-genera
of _Colias_, in which case the genus, which it would then represent, is
unknown. Fig. 1. represents the anterior wing of _Teracolus_, 2, of
_Terias_, and 3, of _Colias_.
* * * * * *
[Illustration: HELEONA _Fenestrata_.]
HELEONA fenestrata,
_Australian Burnet_.
----
Tribe Sphingides. Family Anthoceridæ. Sw. (Zyganidæ Auct.) Genus ----?
SUB-GENERIC CHARACTERS.
Anterior Wings papilioniform, i. e. the exterior margin as long, or
longer, than that of the posterior; inferior wings lengthened
perpendicularly, but short and rounded; Antennæ pectinate in both sexes.
Type _Phalæna militaris_. Lin. Don. _Ins. of China_. pl. 43.
----
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
_Wings hyaline, clouded with irregular waved bars of blue; body, thorax,
and macular band round the margin of the inferior wings, orange._
----
The diurnal or Heliconean Hawk-mouths, form one of the most natural and
remarkable groups among Lepidopterous insects. They fly during the heat of
the day; and, (as representing in their own family the tribe of
_Phalænides_) they have much of the general appearances of moths. In their
slow flight, long transparent wings, and proneness to imitate death on
being handled, they afford a most beautiful analogy to the Heliconian
Butterflys. Both have their chief metropolis in equinoctial America, and
both find their prototypes in the lovely family of _Erycinidæ_. It is
really surprizing that searchers after the _natural_ system, should have
overlooked such a group.
Among the comparatively few genera of this division, found in India and the
adjacent islands, is that now first defined: and we illustrate it by a new
and very rare species, even in its own country. It was twice seen by Mr.
Cunningham, on the North West Coast of Australia; once in shady woods
descending to the shores of York Island, and again in nutmeg woods
adjoining Brunswick Bay.
The form of the wings, which strongly resemble those of the sub-family
_Papilionæ_ will immediately distinguish this from all the American genera.
The plant, _Pattersonia glauca_, is of a sub-genus also peculiar to New
Holland.
* * * * * *
[Illustration: LEPTONYX _macropus_.
_Great footed Babbler._]
LEPTONYX macropus
_Great-footed Babbler._
----
Family Merulidæ. Sub-family Crateropodinæ. Genus Malacocircus, Sw.
Sub-genus Leptonix. (_The Rasorial type._) _Nob._
SUB-GENERIC CHARACTER.
Feet of extraordinary size and thickness, all the anterior toes of nearly
equal length; the claws long, slender, and but slightly curved. Tail
slightly rounded, of fourteen feathers. Wings very short.
----
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
_Above brown beneath whiteish, with transverse undulated lines; breast
and rump, rufous brown; chin, stripe above and beneath the eye,
whiteish._
----
For the use of this new and singularly formed bird, we are indebted to
Professor Hooker, who, with his usual liberality, has recently sent for our
inspection, a valuable box of Chilian birds, most of which are undescribed.
They form the foundation of his son's, Mr William Hooker's collection, who
has already commenced with much zeal the study of this interesting science.
All the rasorial characters are strikingly displayed in this extraordinary
type; which exhibits the greatest developement of the foot of any
insessorial bird yet discovered. It no doubt lives entirely upon the
ground; for the feet are formed precisely on the same model as those of
_Menura_ and _Orthonyx_, both of which are the rasorial types of their
respective circles, and are consequently representatives of _Leptonyx_: the
same analogy explains its resemblance to a partridge, and more distantly to
the sub-genus _Erythaca_ Sw. by its rufous breast.
The Indian bird erroneously called _Pitta thoracica_ by M. Temminck,
follows this in close affinity, and is either the Grallatorial type, or the
immediate point of connection between _Malacocircus_ Sw. and _Timalia_
Horsf.
Total length 9 inches; bill from the gape 1-1/10; wings 4; tail 3; tarsus
1¾; hind toe and claw 1½.
* * * * * *
[Illustration: BYSSOARCA _Zebra_.]
BYSSOARCA Zebra.
_Zebra Ark-shell._
----
Genus. Arca. _Lin. Lam._ Sub-genus. Byssoarca. _Nob._
----
SUB-GENERIC CHARACTER.
_Animal_ fixed by byssiform filaments to other bodies. _Shell_
transverse; umbones remote; valves gaping in the middle of the ventral
margin.
----
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
_Margins angulated; valves marked with simple uniform and regular
grooves, radiating from the umbones: shell transversely and obliquely
striped with brown._
----
It is somewhat surprising that the sedentary type of the genus _Arca_
should have been so long uncharacterized in our Conchological Systems;
seeing that the other four types, viz. _Arca_, _Pectunculus_, _Cuculloea_,
and _Nucula_, were defined many years ago by the celebrated Lamarck. We
have consequently supplied this omission; and at the same time have
selected a species hitherto, we believe, confounded with the _B. Noæ_; from
which it differs in sculpture, colour, and in the umbones being less remote
from each other.
The Animals of these shells affix themselves to other bodies by a
particular muscle, which is protruded through the gaping part of the
valves; they also adhere, when young, by the byssiform epidermes which
covers the exterior: a specimen now before us, which we procured in the Bay
of Naples, perfectly exemplifies this singular property. The present
species is not uncommon in the West Indies, and has been sent to us from
Jamaica. Like all others of this particular type it is almost constantly
covered by coralline substances.
* * * * * *
[Illustration: APALIS _thoracica_.
_Gorget Warbler._]
APALIS thoracica,
_Gorget Warbler_.
----
Family Sylviadæ. Sub-fam: Sylvianæ. Genus (?) Apalis.
GENERIC (?) CHARACTER.
General structure of _Prinea_, but the bill shorter, the plumage more
compact, and the outer toe not connected to the middle as far as the
first joint.
----
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
_Olive green, beneath yellowish white; breast with a black collar; three
lateral tail-feathers partly white: front black._
Le Plastron Noir. _Le Vaill. Ois. d'Af. 3 pl. 123. f. 1. male. 2. fem._
Motacilla thoracica. _Nat. Miss. 22. pl. 969._
----
This is one of the pretty warblers of Southern Africa, discovered by Le
Vaillant: it is very common and widely distributed in the interior, but
rare near the Cape. Le Vaillant mentions having found a young bird of the
Criard Cuckoo, in the pigmy nest of this little species, which had already
grown to the size of a thrush: it not only filled the nest, but actually
enlarged and destroyed its original shape. Yet still did the foster
parents, by a most extraordinary instinct, go on feeding this overgrown
parasite, although it was even then more than double the size of
themselves. Our figure is of the natural size of the male; the female is
without the black collar. Specimens are in Mr. Burchell's Museum and in our
own.
That this bird is of a tenuirostral type, is almost certain; seeing that it
is an obvious representation of _Motacilla_, _Pachycephala_, _Tamatia_,
_Trichas_, _Charadrius_, and many other collared groups: but whether it
forms part of the genus _Prinea_, or represents the tenuirostral genus
between that and _Culicivora_, is very uncertain. We suspect that this
latter station is filled by the Taylor-Warblers of India, not one of which
is to be found in our public Museums.
* * * * * *
[Illustration: CLYTIA _dissimilis_.]
CLYTIA dissimilis,
_Idea-likeness Butterfly._
----
Family Papilionidæ. Sub-fam. Papilionæ. Genus Clytia.
----
GENERIC CHARACTER.
Wings rounded, spotted. Anterior broad, ample, the posterior and the
external margins of equal length: posterior slightly undulated at the
margin, but destitute of tails. Pupa braced, with the head upwards.
TYPES. Pap. Clytia, dissimilis. _L._ Pap. Macarius. _Godart._ P. Panope
_Cr._
----
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
_Wings black, the interstices of the nerves pale fulvous white, broken
into numerous stripes and spots, inferior wings with a marginal row of
orange spots, surmounted by pale lunules, on a black border._
Papilio dissimilis Linn. _Fab. Ent. Syst. 3. 1. p. 38. Ency. Meth. 1. p.
76. Cramer. Pl. 82. C. D. Roemer. Gen. Ins. pl. 18. f. 6._
----
We have never seen specimens of this Butterfly from any other country than
China, although it appears that General Hardwicke has met with it in
British India, and has communicated a valuable drawing of the larva and
pupa to Dr. Horsfield, in whose interesting work it is engraved. To that
plate we must refer the entomologist who wishes to understand the previous
states of this insect; while its general aspect at once intimates its
resemblance or analogy to the Sub-genus _Idea_ F, and consequently points
it out as the generic type of that form in the circle of the _Papilionæ_.
According to these views, _Clytia_ is united to _Amphrysius_, by the
sub-genus _Epius_; (Pap. Epius. Auct.) and at the same time forms the
generic passage to the _Pieridæ_, Sw. For want of a better term, we must
call this the _Rasorial_ type, as it corresponds to that Ornithological
group.
The aberrant group of the Sub-family _Papilionæ_ appear to be the genera
_Leilus_, Sw. (_Uranea_ Lat.) _Antimachus_, Sw. and _Clytia_ Sw. the two
typical genera being _Papilio_ and _Amphrisius_, Sw.
* * * * * *
[Illustration: THOAS _Lysithous_.]
THOAS Lysithous,
_Lysithous Butterfly._
----
Sub-fam. Papilionæ. Genus, Papilio. _Sw._ Sub-genus Thoas. _Nob._
SUB-GENERIC CHARACTER.
Posterior wings terminating in spatulate or obtuse tails; the margins
deeply scoloped; _Larva_ smooth; _Pupa_ braced, with the head directed
_upwards_.
TYPICAL SECTIONS.
1. Wings with macular yellow bands. PAP. THOAS. _Auct._
2. Wings with entire white bands, the posterior
spotted with crimson. AGAVIUS.
3. Wings black, varied with emerald green
bands or dots; tails short, obtuse. PARIS.
4. Tails obsolete. EVANDER.
5. Tails short, acute. ANDROGEUS.
----
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
_Wings uniform black; anterior with a white band; posterior dentated and
tailed, margined by red lunules; the disk white, bordered behind by 4-5
red spots._
Papilio Lisithous. _Ency. Meth. 1. p. 73, no. 136._
----
We discovered this imposing species in the interior of Brazil, in 1814,
long before it was made known in France by the specific name we have
adopted. It is confined to the southern provinces; for we never met with it
north of the Rio St. Francesco. Although greatly resembling _Thoas Agavus_
and _Harrisianus_, (Z. Ill. 1 Series, pl. 109) it is at once distinguished
by the longer and more acute dentations of the inferior wings. The under
side shews no material difference from the upper. To the second type of
this subgenus belongs also _Ascarius_ L. _Polybius_ Sw. (Z. I. 1 Series,
pl. 137), and _Tros._ Fab. while _Dardanus_ F. probably connects this
American group with the third or _Paris_ type, whose geographic range is
confined to Asia.
In the fourth form (_Evander_), representing the Heliconian type, the tails
are obsolete, but they begin to appear again in the fifth, and thus
complete the circle of the sub-genus _Thoas_. By studying this natural
series, the Entomologist will discover a most beautiful set of analogies
between the genera _Papilio_ and _Amphrisius_.
* * * * * *
[Illustration: MUREX (_Pteronotus_) _pinnatus_.]
MUREX (_Pteronotus_) pinnatus.
_Finned Murex._
----
Family Buccinidæ. Sub-fam. Muricinæ. _Sw._ Genus Murex. _Lam._ Sub-genus
Pteronotus. Sw.
SUB-GENERIC CHARACTER.
See Pl. 100.
----
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
_Shell snowy white, with three twisted varices, which are surmounted by a
thin, dilated fringe, having the margins undulated; channel curved; outer
lip crenate._
Murex pinnatus. _Swains. Bligh. Cat. App. p. 17._
_Martini. Conch. 3 pl. III. fig. 1036-1037._ (_bad._)
----
This highly elegant and delicate species was first described by us in the
_Catalogue of the Bligh Collection_, at the sale of which a specimen
produced five pounds. Latterly, however, the species has become more
frequent: the figures are taken from a fine individual in our Museum,
procured from China. The pure white of the surface is relieved by a slight
iredescent or pearly gloss, similar to that on the scales of many fish: but
which is probably concealed, in a state of nature, by a thick and soft
epidermis, similar to that of _Triton corrugatum_, Lam.
The structure of this sub-genus is further remarkable for the prolongation
of the basal end of the principal varex on the body whorl, which, in nearly
all the species, is so prominent, as to give the shell an appearance of
having two channels. It is remarkable that this horn-like process occurs in
that part of the shell which is immediately above the head of the animal:
so that even in this genus of Mollusca we see a manifestation of that
principle of the natural system, by which one of the aberrant types of
nearly all animals have crests, horns, or similar protuberances on or near
the head.
* * * * * *
[Illustration: ACHATINELLA. Pl. 3.
_1. rosea. 2. pulcherrima._]
ACHATINELLA rosea,
_Rosey, reversed Achatinella_.
----
SUB-GENERIC CHARACTER.
See pl. 99 and 108.
----
SPECIFIC (?) CHARACTER.
_Shell reversed, ovate-oblong, sub-ventricose, pale rose colour, with
obsolete white bands._
Ach. bulimoïdes (var. rosea) _Swains. in Brand's Journal Cap. 1828, p.
85._
----
The figures on this plate complete the illustration of our monograph of
this pretty and interesting group of shells. At present, we feel undecided
whether this is a species, or a variety of _A. bulimoïdes_, from which it
differs in being reversed, in having the marginal groove very distinct,
instead of scarcely perceptible, and in colour. We possess only two
specimens which came, with all the others, from the Pacific Islands.
----
ACHATINELLA pulcherrima.
_Fig. 2._
_Shell ovate-oblong, sub-cylindrical, white or yellow, with broad bands
of chesnut; margin of the lip, brown._
Ach. pulcherrima. _Sw. ut. sup. p. 86._
----
This species is the most lengthened in form, and the most beautiful in
colour of all those we have yet seen: some individuals, however, are more
ventricose than others and the colours are no less variable. The ground
colour is usually of a rich and deep chesnut, with from one to three bands
of orange yellow, fulvous, or white; we have figured a further variety of a
rich golden yellow with a chesnut line only at its suture: but in all these
the marginal groove is very close and distinct.
* * * * * *
[Illustration: ANTHOMYZA
_Tiresina_. 2 _heliconides_.]
ANTHOMYZA Tiresia.
_Three banded Burnet._
----
Tribe, Sphingides. Family, Anthoceridæ. _Sw._ Genus ----? Sub-genus.
----
SUB-GENERIC CHARACTER.
Anterior wings with the outer or exterior margin much shorter than the
posterior; inferior wings lengthened horizontally, but short and rounded.
Antennæ slightly pectinated in one sex only: palpi pointing vertically.
Inhabits Tropical America only. _Nob._
----
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
_Large: anterior wings black, with one basal, and two transverse, opaque,
deep yellow bands; posterior yellow, with a broad black border; margins
of both wings dotted with white._
P. Tiresia. _Cramer. Pl. 85. f. B._
----
We now, for the first time, detach from the moth-like, or diurnal Sphinxes,
all those large and imposing species which are found in Tropical America;
and by comparing their characters with those of the Oriental group
_Helonia_, it will be seen how strikingly they differ. During our
researches in Brazil, the chief metropolis of this group, great attention
was paid to these insects, of which we have a most extensive series. They
fly slowly and heavily during the middle of the day, and on the least touch
counterfeit death. Most of the species, when handled, discharge from their
body a brown liquor, like their prototypes the _Heliconidæ_.
----
ANTHOMYZA heliconides,
_Heliconian Burnet_.
----
_Anterior wings black, with one basal and two transverse hyaline
yellowish white bands: posterior yellowish white, with a broad black
border, margins of both wings dotted with white._
----
If we were not in possession of both sexes of the foregoing species, we
should have suspected that _this_ was a mere sexual difference; but the
spots are transparent. The remarkable resemblance between this and some of
the Heliconian butterflies, particularly _Linus_ and _Psidii_, (Cr. pl.
257.) is truly astonishing. Nature could not have stamped their analogy
stronger.
* * * * * *
[Illustration: LEILUS _Surinamensis_. _Sw._]
LEILUS Surinamensis.
_Surinam Emerald Butterfly._
----
Family, Papilionidæ. Sub-fam Papilionæ. Genus, Leilus. Sw. (_Fissirostral
or Hesperian type_) Sub-genus. Leilus _proper_. Sw.
SYNOPSIS OF THE SUB-GENERA.
I. TYPICAL. Antennæ filiform, thickened in the
middle; posterior wings with long pointed tails. LEILUS.
II. SUB-TYPICAL. Antennæ as in the last, but
arcuated near the tip. Tails of the posterior
wings short and obtuse. ORONTES.
III. ABERRANT. Antennæ clavate; front very
hairy; tails none. RIPHEUS.
Antennæ clavate; wings hyaline; tails very long. LEPTOCIRCUS.
----
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
_Wings black, varied with lines and bands of emerald-blue green:
posterior tailed; the green spots round the margin running into each
other; tails nearly white._
Papilio Leilus. _Linn. Sys. Nat. 2. 750. Fab. Ent. Sys. 3. p. 21. Merian.
Surin. pl. 29._
Urania Leilus. _Fab. Syst. Gloss._
----
The Butterflys composing this remarkable genus are perhaps the most
splendid insects in creation. No art can effectually represent the
changeable and resplendent green which relieves the velvet black of the
wings, and which varies with every change of light. The typical species are
found in Tropical America, where they fly with amazing rapidity, and
perform, like their prototypes the Swallows, annual migrations. When at
rest, the anterior wings are flat or horizontal, but only slightly spread.
The present species appears confined to Surinam.
Modern systematists have been peculiarly unfortunate in the location and
construction of this group; while the name of _Urania_, bestowed upon it by
Fabricius, has long been appropriated to a genus of plants. Linnæus, more
correctly, placed it with the genuine _Papiliones_; a station which is
confirmed by the details of its structure: the anterior feet, like those of
_Leptocircus_, figured at pl. 106, being provided with that short spiney
process, which is a peculiar distinction of this sub-family. The analogies
which result from this location of _Leilus_ are beautiful, and almost
interminable. It is the representation of the _Noctuidæ_ and of the
_Hesperidæ_ in its own circle; and of the fissirostral tribe of birds; all
these being modifications of the natatorial type of the VERTEBRATA.
* * * * * *
[Illustration: LEILUS _Brasiliensis_. _Sw._]
LEILUS Braziliensis.
_Brazilian Emerald Butterfly._
----
SUB-GENERIC CHARACTER.
_Wings_ when at rest, horizontal, slightly expanded; posterior furnished
with acute tails. Palpi short, porrect; the last joint nearly naked,
projecting beyond the head, but shorter than the second joint. _Tibiæ_ of
the anterior feet, spined in the middle: claws very small. _Antennæ_
filiform, thickened in the middle; the tips bending outwards, but not
uncinate. _Sw._
----
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
_Wings black, varied with lines and bands of golden green: posterior
wings tailed, the green spots round the margin divided and insulated; the
tails black, with a narrow white edge._
In Mus. Britt. Nost.
----