!M
in China, but only o f the common sort. It will gratify curiosity, if not prove advantageous,
should future observers ascertain what kind o f insects the Cliinese appropriate
to making silk, and whether P . Atlas is o f the number, as has been conjectured. It is
indeed to be observed, that in India several distinct species o f Saturnia are known to be
employed in the production o f s ilk ; the most important o f which are the Tusseh (S.
Paphia, Linn.), the Arrindi (S . Cynthia, Drury), and the Kolisurra silk worm o f the
Dukhun.*
H E L EO N A MILITA RIS.
P la te 4 3 . fig. i .
P'a m il y . A r c t i id æ ?
G e n u s . H e l e o n a , Sw a in s . Z o o l. I l lu s t r . N . S e r . 1 1 6 .
Cir. S p . H . aîis p a tu lis concoloribus luteis apice ma culisque violaceis, antic is ex tu s a lbo-m a cu-
la tis . E x p an s . a la r. 3 | unc.
H . with th e wings ex ten d ed a t re st, th e an te rio r a n d poste rior pairs coloured a like,
luteous yellow, with th e extrem ity a n d sp o ts a t th e base violet, th e an te rio r with
whitish spots a t th e tips. E x p an s e o f th e wings 3 J inches.
S y n . P h a læ n a m ilita ris, Lirin. S ijs t. N a t. 2 . 8 1 1 . F a b r ic iu s E n t . S y s t. 3 . 2 . p . 4 1 6 .
R o e s e l. In s . 4 . t. 6 . / . 3 . Crame r. In s . t. 2 9 . / . B .
The natural situation o f this and some other allied insects is doubtful ; it forms tiie
type ot Mr. Swainson’s group Heleona, but is considered by that author to belong to the
tribe o f Sphingides, and family o f Zygæidæ (Anthoceridæ, Swainson).
* S e e th e Memoirs o f D r. R o x b u rg h in th e Linnojan T ran s a c tio n s , a n d o f Lieut.-Col. W. H, S yke s in th e
Tran sa c tio n s o f th e R oya l .Asiatic Society.