for the most part, upon animal matter, either living or dead. By the latter
instinct they are led to frequent harbours and sea-ports, for the sake of
offal, and other animal refuse, thrown from vessels, which they greedily
devour. Lamarck, with his usual precision, has characterized many species;
but for the very beautiful one now, we believe, for the first time
described, we have to thank Messrs. Stuchbury, who favoured us with the
inspection of a fine series of specimens, received from the Island of
Margarita, Lat. 11. 20. N. Lon. 63. 20. W.
The genera _Buccinum_ and _Murex_ of Linné, appear typical of the
carnivorous order _Zoophaga_, whose shells are either notched or channelled
at their base. These arrange themselves under two great divisions. In one
the animal has an operculum or lid, which closes the entrance of his shell;
in the other, the shell itself is more or less enveloped by two large
lobes, called the mantle, with which the animal covers his habitation.
Nevertheless, these two divisions, as M. Cuvier has fully shown, become
insensibly united, and form one natural group. The two principal divisions
of the operculated race are represented by _Cassis_ and _Murex_; the genera
of the first have been pretty correctly made out; but those of the
_Muricinæ_ require much reformation; so far as regards the definition of
their typical forms, and their apparent series of affinities.
* * * * * *
[Illustration: CONUS. Pl. 1.
_1. fumigatus. 2. franciscanus._]
CONUS fumigatus.
----
Family Strombidæ. Sub-family Conianæ.
GENERIC CHARACTER. See Lamarck.
----
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
_Shell smooth, spire very short, channeled, or with the whorls· concave:
colour chesnut, belted with white, and articulated rows of chesnut dots._
Conus fumigatus _Brug. Diet. 94. Lam. Syst. 7. 496._
Icones. _Mart. 2 pl. 56. f. 618. Ency. Meth. pl. 336. f. 7._
----
A species not conspicuous for its beauty, but by no means of common
occurrence: its close resemblance to the next has induced us to illustrate
both by figures. _C. fumigatus_ seldom exceeds the size here represented;
it may at once be known from _franciscanus_ (which is a much smaller
shell,) by the spiral whorls being _concave_, instead of _convex_: this
species occurs in the Indian Ocean.
If the student compares either _Strombus Luhuanus_, _Mauritianus_, or
_Persicus_, with any of the wide mouthed Cones, he will immediately
perceive the affinity between the two groups. In both, the operculum of the
animal is small, but in _Conus_ it seems reduced to a mere vestage; while
the shell, nearly rolled upon its own axis, indicates the near approach
which Nature has now made towards the Cowries; a family, however,
essentially distinguished by the great developement of the mantle, and the
total absence of an operculum.
----
CONUS franciscanus.
_Shell smooth, chesnut, with two white bands, the upper one near the
suture: spire short, the whorls convex._
C. franciscanus. _Lam. Syst. 7. 493. Ency. Meth. 337. f. 5._
----
Lamarck mentions Africa and the shores of the Mediterranean, as the native
locality of this shell. It escaped our researches on the coasts of Italy,
Sicily, and Greece, and we suspect it to be an Oriental species.
* * * * * *
[Illustration: PIERIS _Nigrina_.]
PIERIS Nigrina.
----
PIERIS (_pars._) Latr: Stev. PONTIA (_pars._) Fab. Horsf.
GENERIC CHARACTER.
_Antennæ_ with a spatulate, considerably compressed, obovate club.
_Palpi_ hairy: the first joint with basal articulations, (Horsf. pl. 4.
f. 10) beyond which it is hardly longer than the second, or the third,
which are each of equal length. _Anterior Wings_ with the exterior margin
manifestly shorter than the posterior.
Type. Pieris Belisama. _Lat._
----
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
_Wings above white in one sex, grey in the other; anterior tipt with
black; beneath black, with a terminal band of yellow: posterior wings
beneath black, varied with grey, and marked with an undulated, nearly
central, border of crimson._
Pieris Nigrina. _Fab. Sys. Ent. 475. Ent. Sys. 3. 1. 20. Ency. Meth. p.
149. Don. Ins. of New Holl. 19. f. 1._
----
Although this elegantly marked insect has long been known to Entomologists,
we believe it has only once been figured. It is not uncommon in Australia,
and being a typical species, we select it to illustrate this group.
The Butterflies called _Whites_, in the common language of Collectors,
(_Pieris_, _Lat._) are distinguished by their great simplicity of
colouring, and a predominence of white upon their wings. It is a singular
fact, that the various species of this family, among which are included the
different white Butterflies of Europe; feed chiefly on such plants as are
nourishing and salutary to the human body, such as the various sorts of
cabbages, coleworts, turnips, &c., and in every foreign country where these
white Butterflies have been found, plants of the same nutricious qualities,
are sure to be discovered in the vicinity of their haunts.
The group to which we here restrict the name of _Pieris_, is confined, we
believe, exclusively to the old world, and principally to intertropical
latitudes. We have been much embarassed, however, in applying this name
correctly. Dr. Horsfield has placed many of our Indian _Pieres_ under the
genus _Pontia_, which group is restricted by Mr. Stephens to European
insects. As this latter disposition is more in unison with our own views,
we have adapted it; considering _P. Cratægi_ to be the only aberrant
representative of _Pieris_ in Europe.
* * * * * *
[Illustration: EURYMUS _Europome_.]
EURYMUS Europome.
_The Clouded Sulphur._
----
GENERIC CHARACTER. See Pl. 60.
----
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
_See Stevens. Ill. of Brit. Ent. 1. p. 10. and Haw. Lep. Brit. 13._
Papilio Europome. _Haworth Lep. Brit. p. 13. No. 12._
Colias Europome. _Stev. pl. 1.* fig. 1. male. 2. 3. female._ Syst. Cat.
5797.
In Mus. Nost.
----
Much interest has recently been excited among British entomologists
regarding this butterfly. Some are of opinion that it is not a native of
Britain, while others, with a strong shew of reason, contend that it is
truly indiginous. The specimens in the British collection formed by our
lamented parent, and now in our possession, having been alluded to by both
parties, we have been induced to represent them, and to throw some light
upon their history.
So anxiously did our honored father preserve his cabinet, free from exotic
specimens, that knowingly, he never admitted _one_, even as a temporary
substitute for a native example. Yet living, in his early days, in constant
intercourse with the famous Dutchess of Portland, Dr. Lightfoot, and Mr.
Lewin, he received, from these sources, some few insects, which were placed
in his cabinet, _under the assurance_ that they were British. Among these
are _Pap. Podalirius_, _Daplidice_, and the two specimens of the alleged
_Europome_ here figured: the latter being mistaken, _and intermixed_, with
three examples of the true _Hyale_. On the other hand, it is incumbent upon
us to say, that both these have been mended, before coming into our
father's possession, by the heads and antennae of _Gonepteryx Rhamni_! We
must also state, that upon closely comparing them with a series of _E.
Philodice_, we have failed to discover what appears to us a true specific
distinction. The same unsuccess has attended our efforts to detach
_Chrysotheme_ from _Edusa_, of which latter we possess specimens from
Germany, Genoa, Sicily, Greece, Africa, and several others unlabelled, all
varying more or less from each other, and from British examples.
* * * * * *
[Illustration: MALACONOTUS _Barbarus_.
_Barbary Shrike._]
MALACONOTUS Barbarus.
_Barbary, or yellow-crowned Shrike._
----
Family Laniadæ. Sub-family Thamnophilinæ. _Nob._
GENERIC CHARACTER.
Swains. in Zool. Journ. 3. p. 163.
----
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
_Above glossy black, beneath crimson; crown fulvous yellow: vent and
flanks buff._
Lanius barbarus. _Linn._ Icon. _Pl. Enl. 56._
Laniarius barbarus. _Ency. Meth. Orn. p. 755._
Le Gonolek. _Le Vaill. Ois. d'Af. pl. 69._
----
The true Shrikes, of which two, if not three species inhabit England, are
bold and cruel birds: they attack others, scarcely smaller than themselves,
and seize them like a Falcon, by their talons during flight. The Bush
Shrikes on the other hand, are a more ignoble race; they only prowl after
young or sickly birds, and seek their principal nourishment from those
insects which shelter in foliage. These birds form two distinct groups,
confined to the tropical latitudes of the Old and the New World. The first,
_Thamnophilus_, is restricted to America, and the species are known by
their dark coloured plumage. _Malaconotus_, is, we believe, purely an
African group, while most of the typical species, like the present, are
cloathed in bright and beautiful colours.
This elegant bird seems to be abundant in Western Africa, but is rare
towards the Cape of Good Hope. Hence Le Vaillant had no opportunity of
learning its peculiar manners. Its size is that of a Thrush; the feathers
on the back are very long, and the first joint of the outer toe is _free_.
Nature, ever prone to typify her relations, and to preserve harmony between
groups, essentially distinct, has given to the bill of this bird, a form
closely resembling that of _Pitta_; the genus by which _Malaconotus_ is
represented among the Thrushes.
A partial consideration of this group induced us, some years ago, to adopt
the generic name of _Laniarius_; but in a more recent investigation of the
species so denominated, we have failed to discover sufficient reason for
separating them, generically, from _Malaconotus_.
* * * * * *
[Illustration: DONACOBIUS _vociferans_.
_Babbling Thrush._]
DONACOBIUS vociferans.
_Babbling Thrush._
----
Family Merulidæ. Sub-family Macropodianæ. _Nob._
CHARACTERS.
Bill arched from the base, moderate, and generally entire; wings very
short: tail broad, rounded. Feet and toes of great strength and size;
plumage lax, and soft. _Nobis._
GRACULA (_pars._) _Cuv._ POMATORHINUS. _Horsf. Tem._ (_pars._) PITTA.
(_p._) OPETIORHYNCHUS. IXOS. (_p._) MALURUS (_p._) _Tem._ TIMALIA.
MEGALURUS. _Horsf._ DASYORNIS. PHOSPHODES. _Vig._
----
GENERIC CHARACTER.
Bill slender, moderate, the upper mandible notched; nostrils naked,
membranaceous, the aperture terminal.
----
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
_Above blackish brown, beneath fulvous yellow; sides of the body lineated
with black lines, base of the quills and tips of the laternal tail
feathers pure white, sides of the neck, with a naked space._
Gracula longirostris? _Auct._
----
It is seldom that the notes of the feathered race are absolutely
disagreeable, but we never remember to have heard a bird with a voice of
such astounding discord, as that now before us. Its particular note, if
note it could be called, we do not now recollect; but it was so shrill,
grating, and monotonous, that we have frequently rushed out of the house,
to drive away the babbling disturbers. This happened at the hospitable
residence of our friend Mr. Pinches, of Pernambucco, whose house was close
to a small swamp, overgrown with reeds, among which these birds delight to
dwell; and which in fact, they never quit. Clinging to the smooth stems by
their strong feet and acute claws, they were incessantly uttering discord
with the most provoking perseverance: all the time moving their body from
one side to the other, spreading out their tail, and straining their
throats, in the most grotesque way imaginable. On each side of the neck, is
a long space of bare skin of a deep yellow colour: they live in pairs, and
build a pensile nest among the reeds: their flight is very slow and feeble.
* * * * * *
[Illustration: MURICINÆ. Pl. 2.
_Murex erythrostomus._]
MUREX erythrostomus.
_Pink-mouthed Murex._
----
Family Buccinidæ. Sub-family Muricinæ. _Nob._
----
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
(Type 1.) _Shell spinous: varices between the two lips four; armed with
conic, generally pointed spines, the upper and lower of which are
vaulted; colour reddish white, articulated with brown: false varices
intermediate; aperture rosey: inner lip smooth._
----
Messrs. Stuchbury obligingly forwarded us fine specimens of this lovely
species, for comparison with _M. Regius_ and _Imperialis_. In general habit
it has a close affinity to the first, but is distinguished by intermediate
false varices, which in that species are wanting; while the upper and lower
spines are alone vaulted: from _Imperialis_ our shell is further removed,
by the varices being spinous, instead of nodulous; this latter character
being seen only in the intermediate protuberances, and in the false
varices.
We have already intimated our belief that _Murex_ and _Cassis_ represent
two equivalent groups; and these, as containing several established genera,
we shall consider as sub-families: giving them the usual termination of
_inæ_. Those higher naturalists, who have long since abandoned the belief
in absolute divisions and isolated genera, are fully aware that no groups
are more likely to exhibit the arrangement of nature, than such as contain
numerous species, under a great diversity of forms. The _Murices_ are of
this description, and appear to exhibit, among themselves, a circular
series. _Triton_ and _Murex_ also seem typical genera, and of equal value.
_Ranella_ obviously belongs to the first; yet, as it is merely a
subordinate type of form, we cannot, under this belief, retain it as a
_genus_, without a manifest inconsistency; unless, indeed, it is thought
expedient to consider the types of form in _Murex_, as so many genera, and
elevate three others in _Triton_ to the same rank; a refinement in
nomenclature, which we cannot think is in the least degree necessary.
* * * * * *
[Illustration: EUTERPE _Terea_.]
EUTERPE Terea.
----
PAPILIO. (_pars._) _Latrielle._ SUB-FAMILY PIERESINÆ. _Nob._
GENERIC CHARACTER.
_Antennæ_ lengthened, terminating in a broad, very compressed, spatulate
club. _Palpi_ hairy; the first joint very long, exceeding the united
length of the two next: second joint half as long as the first; third
very small, manifestly shorter than the second. _Anterior wings_ long,
papilioniform; the exterior margin longer than the posterior. _Nob._
----
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
_Wings above black: anterior both above and below, with a trifid white or
yellowish central spot: posterior with a four-parted rosey spot; and
varigated beneath, at the base, with yellow and rosy stripes._
Papilio Terias. _Latrielle & Godart. En. Meth. 1. p. 38. No. 39._
----
Nature has so completely disguised this Butterfly in the form and colours
of a genuine Papilio, as to have deceived the first entomologist now in
Europe, and his most skilful and accurate coadjutator. In the _Ency.
Methodique_ we find this species recorded as a _Papilio_; whereas it
perfectly agrees, in all the details of its structure, with the characters
proposed in that valuable work for the genus _Pieris_. Whether nature has
employed this beautiful device to indicate the group which next succeeds in
her series, or whether she has intended it to point out a strong analogy,
are questions which, in our present imperfect knowledge of Lepidopterous
groups, cannot be answered.
Of this group we possess several new and highly interesting species. It is
worthy of remark, that they were all collected in one particular locality,
and at the same season. This was during a short residence at Mandioca, the
plantation of Dr. Langsdorff, among the woods at the base of the Organ
mountains, near Rio de Janeiro.
We believe this group is restricted to tropical America, where it probably
represents the genuine _Pieres_, (as defined at pl. 69,) of the Old World.
The present species is subject to much variation in the size, proportion,
and colour of its spots: the white is sometimes pale yellow, and the rosy
becomes of a deeper and brighter hue.
* * * * * *
[Illustration: PELEUS.
_1. Gentius. 2. Æacus_]
PELEUS Æacus.
----
Family Hesperidæ.
GENERIC CHARACTER.
_Antennæ_ not hooked, the club formed into a long, slender, fusiform
arch. _Wings_ with both surfaces alike, horizontally divaricated when at
rest; posterior rounded, entire; broader from the base to the anal angle,
than to the exterior margin.
Type. Hesp. Peleus. _Fab._
----
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
_Wings deep brownish black; anterior with a redish transverse band,
united to a spot of the same, and tipt with a sub-hyaline band of redish
orange._
Hesp. Peleus. _Fab. Cramer, pl. 284, f. F._
----
Entomologists, from being acquainted only with the habits of the European
species of this family, represent the _Hesperidæ_ as resting with only the
hinder wings elevated: This is altogether a mistake. Some groups, indeed,
assume this position when basking in the sun, or taking food; but even
these, when fairly at rest, erect their wings in the ordinary manner: a
fact we have repeatedly witnessed. Not so, however, with the group we now
illustrate: and which is peculiar to South America. These insects rest
_with all the four wings expanded_; and hide themselves during the meridian
heat, on the under side of broad leaves, in the deep forests. From never
appearing exposed, this species long escaped our search, but having once
discovered this singular part of its economy, we captured it in abundance.
It probably feeds, like many of the _Sphingides_, or Hawk Moths, in the
morning and evening, but its haunts were too far from our habitation, to
allow of ascertaining this point.
----
PELEUS Gentius.
_Anterior wings black, with three yellow bars, posterior yellow, with a
simple black border._
Hesp. Gentius. _Fab. Cramer, pl. 179, f. C._
----
Our specimens of this very rare insect were captured by Dr. Langsdorff, in
the interior of Southern Brazil, the colours of the under surface of the
wings are the same as those of the upper.
* * * * * *
[Illustration: MALACONOTUS _atro-coccineus_.
_Black & crimson Shrike._]
MALACONOTUS atro-coccineus.
_Burchell's Shrike._
----
GENERIC CHARACTER, &c. See Pl. 71.
----
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
_Black, beneath crimson: lesser wing covers banded with white, greater
covers and lesser quills with a broad, white, longitudinal stripe._
Malaconotus atro-coccineus. _Burchell, Zool. Journ. 1. p. 461. Pl. 18._
Mus. D. Burchell.
----
Among the few Ornithological subjects which that accomplished traveller,
Mr. Burchell, has yet published from his vast collections of African
Zoology, is the charming bird here figured. It was discovered near
Litakoon, the principal town of the Bachapins, a nation never before known
to Europeans. Its principal range is between lat. 27. 20. and 29. 10. S. on
the meridian of 24. E. "To a traveller," continues our friend, "wandering
through the airy groves of the _Transgaripine_, the sight of these _Lanii_,
flying from branch to branch above his head, and displaying their fine
colour in all its brilliancy, suddenly arrests his steps, and claims his
admiration. Viewed in such a position, little of their black colour is
seen, and they then appear to be entirely scarlet."
A most beautiful analogy may be traced between the two principal groups of
the Bush Shrikes, and those of the Ant-thrushes. The genus _Malaconotus_
corresponds to the _Pittæ_, in being restricted to the old world, in the
vivid colours of their plumage, and the connexion, in the typical species,
of the two outer toes. In _Thamnophilus_ and _Myothera_, both American
groups, the colours are uniformly dark; and their resemblance in structure
is so close, that no author has yet pointed out their distinctions.
* * * * * *
[Illustration: HARPULA VEXILLUM.
_Orange Flag Volute._]
HARPULA vexillum.
_Orange-flag Volute._
----
Family Volutidæ. Sub-family Volutinæ. _Nob._
GENERIC CHARACTERS.
Shell generally tuberculated or longitudinally ribbed: apex of the spire
papillary, smooth, and in general distorted: Pillar with numerous
distinct plaits; the upper small and slender, the lower thickest and
shortest.
Type. _Voluta Hebræa._ Lam.
TYPES OF FORM. I. Vol. Hebræa, musica, pusio, polyzonalis, &c. II. Vol.
bullata? III. Vol. multicostata, mitræformis, costata, lyriformis,
nucleus, &c. IV. Vol. rupestris, dubia? V. Vol. lapponica, vexillum.
_Auct._
----
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
_Shell either smooth, or slightly and acutely tuberculated; white with
numerous bands of orange; pillar thickened in the middle, and marked with
from six to eight plates._
Voluta vexillum. _Auct. Lam. Syst. 7. 346. Ency. Meth. pl. 381 f. 1. a.
b. optimè._
----
Few Volutes can exceed this in elegance or beauty. The peculiarity of its
markings, resembling the national colours of Holland, has procured it the
name of the Orange-flag Volute. Although long known to Conchologists, it
still continues a rare shell to our cabinets, and is much sought for on the
continent, particular among the collectors in Holland; they view it with
something of a national fondness, and value it at a high price. It is
brought from Amboyna, and some other islands of the Indian Ocean. The
many-plaited Volutes, form one of the most natural groups in the whole
department of Conchology; and one which the most unpractised student will
have no difficulty in understanding. The more experienced Conchologist, in
studying its contents, will detect some very extraordinary and beautiful
analogies. It contains, in fact, representations of all the principal
divisions of the old genus Voluta, and also of the corresponding groups
among the Mitras; to which sub-family it forms the true passage. We feel
some hesitation, however, in regard to the second type; or that which must
lead immediately to _Volutilithes_; as we rather suspect that the true
type, or more properly the annectant form, by which this union is effected,
has not yet been discovered. We share also in Mr. Broderips doubts,
regarding the situation of his _V. dubia_.
* * * * * *
[Illustration: OLIVÆ PL. 3.
_Hiatula Lamarci 2. pallida. 3. maculata._]
OLIVÆ. Pl. 3.
_The Wide-mouthed Olives._
----
Family Volutidæ. Genus Oliva. _Nob._
SUB-GENUS HIATULA. _Nob._
Suture channelled. Pillar above smooth, not thickened, beneath tumid, and
marked with a few oblique plaits: base of the aperture very wide.
----
SPECIFIC CHARACTERS.
Hiatula Lamarci. _Fulvous brown: pillar white, with about four lengthened
plaits, and intermediate shortened ones between them, inner margin of the
lip brown._ Fig. 1.
H. pallida. _Aperture and base of the pillar livid brown: plaits 4-5,
simple, equal; inner margin of the lip pale._ Fig. 2.
H. maculosa. _Aperture orange, marked above with a black spot: base of
the pillar white, the plaits small, crowded, and of unequal length._ Fig.
3.
Mus. Nost.
----
As the connection of the Olives with the Mitres has been illustrated in a
former number, we now characterize the sub-genus by which the former are
united to the _Ancillariæ_. The thickened and oblique plaits on the pillar,
its smoothness on the upper part, and the great width of the aperture, are
all characters which render this affinity unquestionable, and detach the
group from the more common and typical Olives before alluded to.
Since we published the figure of _Oliva striata_, (Oliva, Pl. 1. f. 2.) we
have procured the true _Ancillaria canalifera_ of Lamark, and find it as we
suspected, a very different shell. As _Hiatula_ leads to the _Ancillariæ_,
so does the sub-genus _Olivella_, (comprising the small operculated Olives)
conduct us to the Mitres, by means of _Olivella volutella_, already figured
in this work. We believe the _third_ aberrant form is represented by our
_Oliva striata_, but we shall not proceed to characterize it as a
sub-genus, until a better acquaintance with the group is obtained; its
analogy to _Conohelix_, by its external sculpture, seems to us a strong
ground of distinction.
We procured all these wide-mouthed Olives from the Messrs. Stuchbury, to
whom we are often indebted for the loan of interesting specimens.
* * * * * *
[Illustration: PIERIS LIMNOBIA.
_S. G. Melete._]
PIERIS (_Melete_) Limnobia.
_Yellow-underwing White._
----