The insects referred to this genus, which is well known as having many
handsome representatives in Britain, are distributed over almost every
quarter of the globe. Besides those which occur in this country, many
others are found on the continent of Europe, and they are equally
abundant in tropical regions. Contrary to what is observed in most
other instances, the species inhabiting the latter are in general
not superior in size or richness of colours to those of temperate
latitudes; our own _V. Atalanta_ will contrast favourably with any of
them. Among the few exceptions to this remark, in respect to size, may
be mentioned _V. Arsinoe_ and the rare species figured on the adjoining
plate. The latter is