L E P ID O P T E R A .
Order. L E P I D O P T E R A . Linnæus.
P A P IL iO PA R IS .
P la te 22.
T r ib e . D iu r n a , L a tr e ille . (P a p ilio , L in næ u s .)
F a m il y . P a p il io n id æ , Lea ch .
G e n u s . P a p il io , L in næ u s , (Se c tio n , E q u ité s .) L a tr e ille , B o isd u v a l, ^ c .
C h . S p . P . alis nigris, aureo-viridi pulverulentis, posticis c au d a tis , m a cu la (in u tro q u e sexu)
m a g n a a z u reo -cæ ru le â , ocello fulvo ad an g u lum an i, his su b tu s maculis septem
ma rg in a lib u s ocellatis. E x p a n s . a la r. 4 une.
P . with th e wings b la ck , powdered w ith g o lden-gre en a tom s, th e poste rior with a
b ro ad ta il a n d a la rge shining blue sp o t in b o th sexes, a n d a reddish eye a t th e
a n a l a n g le ; ben e a th with seven ma rg in a l ey e -like spots. E x p a n s e o f th e wings
ab o u t 4 inches.
S y n . P ap ilio P a r is , L in n . S y s t. N a t . 2. p . 745. N o . 3. F a b r . E n t . S y s t. 3. 1. p . 1.
N o . 1. D r u r y E x o tic In s . V. I . t. 12. f . 1. 2 . Crame r P a p . 2 . p i . 103.
/ . A. B . E sp e r . A u s l. S c hm e lt. t . 2. / . I . E n c y c l. M é th . IX . p . 6 9 . B o is d
u v a l H is t. N a t . L ep . \ . p . 208.
The simile proposed by Linnæus, both for the arrangement and specific nomenclature
o f butterflies, is gleaned from ancient and fabulous history. The species are divided
into sections o f Trojan and Greek princes, heroes, deities, nymphs, and plebeians : and
the species ha v e received names in accordance with this fanciful theory, which, at least,
in the writings o f Linnæus is well conducted, and seems liable to less objection than the
characters assigned to each section : for many species placed among the Equités, and a
more considerable number with the P lebeii, are inconsistent with the essential criterion
Linnæus has given. This arrangement has necessarily undergone material alterations in
the Entornologia S ystem atica o f Fabricius and other still more recent works ; alterations
certainly justified by the more comprehensive views now taken o f this pleasing brancli o f
Entomology. The Equités o f Fabricius, with many additions, and a few exceptions, are
the same as those in the two Linnæan sections : P apilio Priamus is, however, removed
from the head o f the Equités Trojani, and the precedence given to Papilio Paris.
P apilio Paris is an insect o f considerable beauty. The general colour on the upper
surface is obscure brown, nearly approaching black, but finely contrasted with brilliant
green atoms, profusely sprinkled over it. The posterior wings are adorned with a large