CHARACTERS.
_Antennæ_ as in _Euterpe_. _Palpi_ lengthened, the terminal joint linear,
pointed, nearly naked, and longer than either of the two next. _Anterior
wings_ trigonal, the exterior and the posterior margins of equal length:
_posterior wings_ dilated. _Male_ with the terminal abdominal valves
large, abruptly attenuated, and hooked.
Type. Pieris Limnobia. Lat. & Godart.
----
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
_Anterior wings above yellowish white, with a black triangular exterior
border, and a costal band in the female. Posterior above yellow, with an
orange border, divided in the female, into round spots upon a black
ground: under surface with a deep brown border, unspotted._
Pieris Limnobia. _Ency. Meth. 1 p. 144. No. 93._
---- Lycimnia? _Cramer pl. 105. f. E. F. Ency. Meth. No. 92?_
----
We found this pretty Butterfly in profusion near the woods of Mandioca, at
the foot of the Organ Mountains of Rio de Janeiro; when in company with our
learned friend Professor Raddi, now prosecuting his researches in Egypt: it
appears late in the season, and frequents the flowery openings of thick
woods. The female is without the black costal band, and the margins of the
lower wings are simply orange. The accurate description of _Limnoria_ in
the _Ency. Meth._ perfectly accords with our specimens; but we suspect the
_Lycimnia_ of Cramer is also the same species.
In illustrating the Lepidopterous insects, we shall first define all those
variations in form, which appear to us sufficiently important; directing
our chief attention to the external anatomy of the perfect insect. These
groups or forms, we shall provisionally name: we shall next endeavour to
detect their true affinities, and their relative value; abolishing such as
may be found unnecessary, and confirming others which assume a higher
station. We intend, in short, to proceed only by analysis, and we therefore
wish that any incidental remarks, made by us in the interim, may be looked
on with suspicion: or at least, with that doubt which must attend all
opinions resulting only from synthesis.
* * * * * *
[Illustration: CRATEROPUS REINWARDII.
_Black masked Thrush._]
CRATEROPUS Reinwardii.
_Black-masked, or Reinwardts Thrush._
----
Family Merulidæ. Sub-family Macropodianæ.
GENERIC CHARACTER.
Bill hard, compressed, either slightly notched or entire: wings and tail
rounded, the former short, the latter broad. Feet remarkably large and
strong; the two outer fore toes equal, the middle lengthened; hind toe
and claw very large; claws compressed, strong, and but slightly curved.
----
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
_Above grey; throat spotted; wings and tail brown; head and ears black;
chin white._
In Mus. Paris. Nost.
----
Of the habits of this plain, but singularly formed bird, we know nothing.
It is, we believe, one of the numerous discoveries made by that able
Zoologist, Professor Reinwardt, in the Indian Islands; and should it not be
already described, (a point we cannot fully ascertain,) we trust it may be
allowed to bear the name of one, whose important labours merit the thanks
and respect of all the scientific world.
The length of our specimen, as indicated by the scale on the plate, is ten
inches and three quarters. The feet, in all their details, are uncommonly
strong, while the wings are feeble and much rounded. The fifth and sixth
quills are longest; the scapular quills and the tail feathers, when held to
the light, exhibit transverse dark shades.
We have elsewhere pointed out[7] the characters by which the strong legged
Thrushes form one of the sub-families of the _Merulidæ_; the two other
aberrant divisions, being represented by the true Orioles (_Oriolinæ_,) and
the short legged Thrushes (_Brachypinæ_.) That these form a circle of their
own, independant of the Ant Thrushes (_Myotherinæ_,) and the true Thrushes
(_Merulinæ_) has unintentionally been proved by M. M. Temminck and Vigors;
the first in proposing, and the latter in adopting, the genus _Ixos_; an
artificial group, compounded of birds totally dissimilar to each other, but
which, in the progression of certain species, demonstrate the circular
arrangement of the three subfamilies above named.
* * * * * *
[Illustration: PRIONITES _Martii_.
_Martius's Motmot._]
PRIONITES Mexicanus.
_Mexican Motmot._
----
Family Trogonidæ. Sub-family Prionitinæ. _Nob._
(_See Northern Zoology, 2. p. 326._)
----
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
_Small, above green, beneath paler; head and neck above cinnamon, ears
black, varied and tipped with bright blue stripes; belly white._
Momotus Martii. _Jardine & Selby. Ill. of Orn. 2 pl. 25._
Prionites Mexicanus. _Swains. Phil. Mag. June 1827. p. 442._
----
The Motmots, so named from their monotonous note, live only in the tropical
forests of the New World, preferring those deep recesses of perpetual
shade, where a high canopy of matted foliage, nearly excludes the rays of a
vertical sun. They appear even more solitary in their disposition than the
Trogons; their note may be heard, morning and evening, from the depths of
the forests, but the bird is never seen, unless the hunter comes
unexpectedly upon its retreat. This we have generally found to be a low,
withered branch, completely shaded, and just at the edge of such paths as
are made by the Cavies, or the Indians. The Jacamas and the Trogons both
love these shady nooks, where they sit nearly motionless, watching for
passing insects, upon which they dart. Such is, no doubt, the manner in
which the Motmot feeds; but his strong confirmation enables him to capture
larger game. Travellers assert that he also devours the eggs and young of
other birds, like the Toucans: this we believe, as both have the same long
and feather-like tongue. Thus has nature allied these two groups, each
standing at the confines of their own tribe: incontestably proving the
union of the Scansores, Teniurostres, and Fissirostres, into one great
circle.
The present species has only been found in Mexico, although the London
Ornithologists have confounded it with the Prionites Martii of Brazil.
Hence the error of Sir W. Jardine and Mr. Selby, and adopted upon our
plate. Distrusting our first opinion, we believed the London co-adjutors of
these gentlemen, having access to the original work of Dr. Spix, could not
have made such a blunder, but a personal inspection of the original figure
decided the question. No two species can well be more different.
* * * * * *
[Illustration: TROGON MEXICANUS.
_Mexican Trogon_]
TROGON Mexicanus.
_Mexican Trogon. Male._
----
Tribe Fissirostres. Family Trogonidæ.
Sub-family Trogoninæ. (G. Trogon. _Auct._)
GENERIC CHARACTER. See Lesson Man. 2 p. 139.
----
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
_Above golden green, beneath crimson; tail black; the three outer
feathers banded with white on their outer web only; inner webs with an
oblique white stripe along their shafts; the inner edge spotted with
white._ Male.
Trogon Mexicanus, female. _See Swains. in Phil. Mag. June 1827._
Mus. Dom. Taylor.
----
The Trogons are found only in the dark primeval forests of the Tropics;
shunning the haunts of man, and living in solitude and silence. It is not,
therefore, to be wondered at, that their peculiar economy should be
shrouded in mystery, or that the naturalists of Europe should be much
perplexed in finding them a place in their artificial or their natural
systems. Our researches in Tropical America, will enable us to communicate,
in the forthcoming volume of Northern Zoology, some very singular
information on these birds, which we shall not now anticipate.
The species are much more numerous then is imagined, but they are, perhaps,
less understood than those of any one group of Ornithology. Males of
different species are classed as the same, while their females are
considered as distinct. The number enumerated in the last edition of the
Synopsis of Birds as inhabiting all South America, is six; but we possess
eight species from Brazil alone; besides several others, which it is
impossible to identify from books.
The Mexican Trogon was first described by us, from a bird, which we felt
assured was a female; and this belief was soon after confirmed, by the
arrival of a fine specimen of the male, to Mr. Taylor, from Real del Monte;
in whose possession it now is. We shall defer a detailed account of its
plumage, until we illustrate the other sex.
Total length 11 in. bill nine-tenths, wings 5¾, tail 7¾, the outermost
feather 3½ in. shorter.
* * * * * *
[Illustration: CYMBIOLA _vespertilio_.
_Bat Volute._]
CYMBIOLA vespertilio.
_Bat Volute._
----
Family Volutidæ. Sub-family Volutinæ. _Nob._
GENERIC CHARACTER.
Shell armed with spinous tubercles, sometimes smooth but never ribbed;
spiral whorls gradually diminishing in size, but not distorted; the apix
thick and obtuse; pillar with four plaits.
TYPES OF FORM.--1. Marmorata. Broderpia. _Sw._ (Cymbiola. _Sow._) 2.
Vespertilio. Nivosa. Rutila. Aulica. Pulchra. Pacifica. 3. Elongata (?)
Gracilis. Magnifica. Tuberculata. 4. ----? 5. Lugubris.
----
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
_Shell armed with spinous tubercles, pale fulvous with remote angular
waved lines of brown; spiral whorls plaited; pillar with four plaits._
Voluta vespertilio. _Lam. Sys. 7. 1. p. 336._
----
The second or sub-typical genus of the Volutes, appears to be represented
by this common though elegant species; here figured from one of the largest
specimens we have ever seen. The group is chiefly distinguished by the very
obtuse but regular termination of its spire, the whorls of which are never
distorted or disproportionately inflated: the plaits are always four, and
the pillar is never thickened in the middle: the shells of all the typical
species are furnished with pointed tubercles; and from their general
aspect, do not appear to be covered, like the typical Volutes, by the
dilated mantle of the animal, yet the two groups blend into each other by
means of the first type of form above indicated.
As we have deemed it advisable to employ the name of _Cymbiola_, (hitherto
used in a _specific_ sense), as a generic appellation for the whole group,
we trust that those who may adopt our views, will hereafter distinguish the
_Voluta cymbiola_ of Sowerby, now in the cabinet of Mr. Broderip, by the
name of _Cymbiola Broderpia_, in just commemoration of a gentleman whose
knowledge of conchology, and whose general labours in the cause of science
we have so often had occasion to honour.
* * * * * *
[Illustration: VOLUTA _cymbium_.
_Marbled Melon._]
VOLUTA cymbium.
_Clouded Melon Volute._
----
Sub-family Volutinæ _Nob._ (Gen. Melo. Cymba. Voluta. _Brod._)
GENERIC CHARACTER.
Shell enveloped by the mantle of the animal: oval, ventricose; spire very
obtuse, papillary, remarkably short, the whorls (when defined) abruptly
lessening. Pillar with from 3 to 4 carinated plaits.
TYPES OF FORM.--1. V. fulgetrum. 2. V. cymbium. olla. Neptuni, porcina,
proboscidalis, rubiginosa. 3. melo, tessellata, Ethiopica, diadema,
armata, nautica. 4. Imperialis, Scapha (?) 5. angulata. _Auct._
----
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Type 2. _Shell ovate, marbled with rufous and white, suture channelled,
the margin carinated: spire rude, irregular, plaits on the pillar
variable._
Voluta cymbium. _Auct. Lam. Sys. 7. 9. 332, Ency. Meth. pl. 386, f.
3._--L'Yet, _Adans. Seneg. pl. 3. f. 1. p. 44._
Cymba cymbium. _Brod. in Sow. Genera._
----
That the system of nature is essentially a system of types and symbols, is
a truth which has not only been perceived by philosophers, but is apparent
to every attentive observer of nature. It has been our endeavour, in the
second volume of _Northern Zoology_, to investigate this system, and to
ascertain those laws by which it is regulated. One of the results of this
enquiry has been, that every genus, pre-eminently typical, contains a
greater number of forms than any other; the necessary consequence of
comprising within itself, representations of every division in the whole
family. By this test must our present definition of the typical genus
_Voluta_ be tried. We consider this particular species as the type of the
whole group: according to Adanson, it is abundant on the western coast of
Africa, where it is stated to vary considerably, both in its colour and in
its plaits. To the same traveller we are indebted for the best account of
the animal, which he describes under the name of L'Yet. It has been
thought, indeed, that this is the _Voluta neptuni_, but as the interior of
Adanson's L'Yet is "blanche" and that of _Neptuni_ is yellowish orange, we
rather think that the French writer intended to designate the _Voluta
cymbium_ of systematic authors.
* * * * * *
[Illustration: ENDYMION _regalis_.
_Maroon banded Hair streak._]
ENDYMION regalis.
_Maroon-banded Hair-streak._
----
Tribe Papiliones. Family, Polyommatidæ. Sub-family, Theclanæ. _Nob._
SUB-GENERIC CHARACTER.
Palpi in one sex (male) scarcely projecting beyond the head, the last
joint very minute; in the other (female) lengthened, porrect, curved
downwards, the last joint as long as that which precedes it; in both
obtuse and covered with close-set scales; posterior wings four tailed.
----
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
_Wings above shining blue: beneath golden emerald green, with a common
black stripe, and a broad red band on the posterior wings; ocelli none._
Papilio regalis. _Cramer. Ins. Pl. 72. f. E. F._
Hesperia Endymion. _Fab. Ent. Sys. 3. 1. 268._
----
This superb butterfly, both in size and brilliancy of colour, may vie with
the Emerald Hair-streak, and both are among the most beautiful of their
family yet discovered. The general colour of the under surface is of the
richest golden green; the under wings being crossed by a broad bar of deep
maroon, softened into pearly white. The female is known by being the
largest, and by having the black margin of the upper wings much broader.
Our specimens were captured in Brazil. Lat 8. 12. S.
The palpi, which in the sub-genus _Arcas_ are equally long and perfect in
both sexes, are very different in the male and female of the present
sub-genus. In other respects there seems to be a close affinity between
them. We have not had time, however, to enter upon their minute dissection.
* * * * * *
[Illustration: GARRULUS SORDIDUS.
_Dusky bodied Jay._]
GARRULUS sordidus.
_Dusky-bodied Jay._
----
Family Corvidæ. Sub-family Garulinæ. _Nob._
_See Northern Zoology, 2. p. 288._
----
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
_Above dusky blue, brighter upon the crown, wings, and tail; beneath
grey; chin and belly whiteish; ears blackish; tail distinctly rounded._
Garrulus sordidus. _Swains. Synopsis, No. 66._ (_Phil. Mag. June 1827._)
----
The Jays, although allied to the Crows, have many peculiar characteristics.
While the latter roam about and seek their food in all situations, the Jays
confine themselves to thick woods, feeding upon fruits, insects, and eggs,
and seldom perch upon the ground. In unison with that symbolical system
which pervades all nature, we find a perfect representation of this group
in the Bush-Shrikes of the new world.
America seems to possess three Jays, closely resembling each other, but
each (if they have been described correctly) having some peculiar
distinction. As these have not been clearly stated, and as some confusion
has consequently crept into the subject, we shall shortly state their
distinctions. The Florida Jay of Prince C. Bonaparte, (G. Floridamus) which
has been thought the same as ours, is a much smaller bird, being only 11½
in. long, and the back is "yellowish brown," not dusky blue, (See _Bon. Am.
Orn. 2. p. 61._) The _Garrulus ultramarinus_ of the same noble and learned
writer, appears to us from the following account, to be distinct from
either. "Its principal characters may be found in its larger dimensions,
but especially in the shape of its tail, which is _perfectly even, and not
in the least cuneiform_, as it generally is in all the Jays," (_Am. Orn. 2.
62._) Now the tail of our species is _decidedly rounded_, the outer feather
being full one inch shorter than the middle.
The _Garrulus sordidus_ inhabits the table land of Mexico, from whence our
specimen was received. Total length, 11 in.: bill, 1½: wings, 7: tarsi,
1-7/10: tail, 6½ in.
* * * * * *
[Illustration: SCAPHELLA _maculata. Sw._
_Olive Volute._]
SCAPHELLA maculata.
_Olive Volute._
----
Family Volutidæ. Sub-family Volutinæ. _Nob._
GENERIC CHARACTER.
Shell fusiform, invariably smooth and polished: spiral whorls gradually
diminishing in size, the apex obtuse but rarely thickened or distorted:
pillar generally gibbous in the middle, with from four to six thick and
unequal plaits: margin of the outer lip thickened.
TYPICAL SPECIES.--Scaph. undulata. Junonia, maculata, zebra.
ABERRANT SPECIES.--Scaph. papillaris, elongata (?)
----
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
_Shell small, oval, fulvous, with longitudinal purplish-brown spots,
disposed in three transverse bands: spire conical: pillar four plaited,
not gibbous._
Voluta maculata. _Swains. Bligh. Cat. app. p. 11._
----
Of this distinct and very remarkable genus of Volutes, few species have
hitherto been discovered: the subordinate divisions cannot therefore be
traced; nor do we feel satisfied that all the typical characters have been
detected: we consider it nevertheless, as a perfectly natural genus,
absolutely essential to mark the connection between the Volutes and the
_Marginillæ_. Lamark, indeed, as if aware of this affinity, actually
describes one species as a _Marginilla_. The union of the three aberrant
genera of _Scaphella_, _Volutilithes_, and _Harpula_, into one circle, is
effected by the _Scap. papillaris_ and the _Harpula Lapponica_: the former
species conducting us at the same time to the typical Volutes, by means of
_Voluta fulgetrum_ of Sowerby.
_Scaphella maculata_ is a native of the Australian seas, and is of great
rarity. Our drawings were made from one of the beautiful specimens in Mr.
Broderip's possession, It is probable that the animals of this genus
envelope their shells in an ample mantle, since they are almost always
enamelled.
* * * * * *
[Illustration: ARCAS _Imperialis_.]
ARCAS imperialis.
_Emerald Hair-streak._
----
Tribe, Papiliones. Family, Polyommatidæ. Sub-family, Theclanæ, _Nob._
SUB-GENERIC CHARACTER.
Palpi, in both sexes, very long, thick, porrect, twice as long as the
head, curved downwards, all the joints entirely covered with close-set
scales, posterior wings six-tailed.
----
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
_Above shining blue: beneath emerald-green, marked with minute black
waved lines._
Papilio imperialis. _Cramer, Pl. 75. f. E. F._
Hesperia Venus. _Fab. Ent. Sys. 3. 1. 268._
----
It is impossible to depicture with correctness, the resplendant blue which
ornaments the upper surface, or the vivid emerald green on the under wings,
of this rare and splendid insect. It is possessed by few collectors; nor
did we capture more than three specimens, during two years devoted to the
entomology and ornithology of Brazil. The male is distinguished by a black
central spot on the anterior wings. The very remarkable prolongation of the
palpi, which are alike in both sexes, induces us to consider this insect as
a type of form, or in other words, a sub-genus: but we are at present
unprepared to state any thing satisfactory on its true affinities.
We have thought it right in this and other instances, to retain the
original specific name of Cramer; and we shall do the same in all instances
where it will not produce a discordant union of generic and specific names.
On this head, as the principle of Linnæus, from the great number of new
genera since defined, can no longer be acted upon, we think that specific
appellations, derived from some character of the insect, are much better,
in every respect, than attempting to render the nomenclature of the
Lepidoptera a correct index to the mythology of the Ancients.
* * * * * *
[Illustration: CHLORISSES _Sarpedon_.]
CHLORISSES Sarpedon,
_Sarpedon Butterfly._
----
NATURAL GROUPS.
Tribe, Papiliones. _Family_, Papilionidæ. _Sub-fam._ Papilionæ.
_Genus_ ----. _Sub-Genus_, Chlorisses, _Nobis_.
SUB-GENERIC CHARACTER.
_Wings_, black, banded or variegated with green: the posterior narrowed,
with obsolete acute tails; _Head_, thick, sessile, the front very hairy;
_Antennæ_, long, the club spatulate, and concave beneath; _Posterior
feet_, with the first joint of the tarsus as long as the tibiæ.
----
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
_Wings black, with a common green band: posterior obsoletely tailed:
beneath, marked with a red and black lunated spot at the base._
Papilio Sarpedon. _Linn. Fab. Entom. Syst. 3. p. 1. p. 14. No. 41.
Cramer. Pl. 122. f. D. E._
Papilio Sarpedon. _Ency. Meth. 9. p. 46. No. 62._
----
Entomologists of the last century classed all day-flying Butterflies in the
Genus _Papilio_. But this denomination has been restricted, of late years,
to such as possess six long perfect legs; very short palpi, and the
anterior shanks spined near the middle. Now this group is so peculiarly
distinct, and comprises within itself such numerous variations of form,
that we have always viewed it as pre-eminently calculated to put to the
most severe test any arrangement, the principles of which are conceived to
be those of Nature. The _Papilionæ_ have consequently, for many years,
engaged much of our attention. Baffled in numerous attempts to understand
their arrangement, it was only upon applying those principles of the
natural system, which we have detailed in _Northern Zoology, vol. 2_, that
their true affinities became apparent. At present we shall only apprise the
Entomologist that the divisions above named are _circular groups_, and the
result of strict analysis. The sub-genus _Chlorisses_, in reference to
Ornithology, is a scansorial type.
The present Insect, figured from the male sex, is one of the most beautiful
butterflies of India. General Hardwicke presented us with specimens from
Nepaul; and we have since received others from Java. The typical species is
_Papilio Agamemnon_, where the green colour is broken into round spots. The
most extraordinary circumstance, however, which belongs to the group, is
this; that although a sub-genus, it yet contains within itself
_subordinate_ types of form, representing all the higher divisions. The
only ornithological group we have yet ascertained as possessing this
property, is the sub-genus _Parus_ (proper).
* * * * * *
[Illustration: JASIA _Athama_.]
JASIA Athama,
_Athama Butterfly._
----
Tribe, Papiliones. Family, Nymphalidæ. _Nobis._
SUB-GENERIC CHARACTER.
_Lower wings_, acutely bi-caudate; _Antennæ_, short, gradually thickening
into a lengthened, cylindrical club, the tip nearly truncate; _Palpi_,
projecting, and longer above, than is the head; their tips acute; their
joints concealed by compact scales.
_Type_, Papilio Jasius. _Auct._
----
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
_Wings above blackish, with a broad, common band, and an anterior spot of
straw colour; beneath, having the band greenish, and margined with
chesnut._
Papilio Athamas. _Cramer_, Pl. 89. f. C. D.
----
We can communicate but little on this elegant Butterfly, of which our
figures represent the female: the other sex is known by having the straw
coloured band much narrower; on the under surface this colour is prismatic;
changing, in some lights, to a delicate pea green. The great size and
thickness of the thorax, intimate a powerful and rapid flight. The group is
Oriental; but one species, the beautiful and rare _Pap. Jasius._ Lin. we
have captured in the Island of Sicily, the most southern part of Europe.