THE ACONTHEA. 413 



BUTTERFLY, so called from a comma-shaped white mark on the under wings, and the rare 

 and beautiful CAMBERWELL BEAUTY, are all members of this genus. 



WE now come to the genus Catagramma, which is remarkable for the manner in which 

 the under surface of the lower wings is colored. There is in all a somewhat circular arrange- 

 ment of lines, which in many species take the form of a figure of 8, more or less distinctly out- 

 lined. The generic name Catagramma refers to this peculiarity, and is derived from a Greek 

 word signifying a delineation. They are all inhabitants of the wanner portions of the New 

 World. 



The Catagramma Peristera (or the Pigeon Catagramma) derives its name from the resem- 

 blance which the changing shades of the wings bear to the opaline hues of a pigeon's neck. 

 The ground color of the upper surface is black, with two large patches of scarlet in the centre 

 of each wing, the scarlet changing to violet when the light falls obliquely on the wings. The 

 under surface of the upper wings is of paler tints, but colored in a similar manner, except a 

 slight streak of blue on the edge, and a stripe of buff across the tip. The under wings are 

 yellowish-buff, variegated with two black patches in the centre, each of which is garnished 

 with a pair of azure spots. Just above these marks are two black streaks, and a curved blue 

 stripe edged with black runs round the lower margin. 



If the reader will turn to the engraving on page 405 he will find a figure in the upper 

 right-hand corner, that represents the Catagramma marchalii, an insect that is marked more 

 boldly than the last-mentioned species. The upper surface is black, with a short azure band 

 on the upper wings, and a very narrow gray-blue streak round the lower edge of the second 

 pair. The under surface of the first pair of wings is scarlet from the base nearly to the edge, 

 where a broad band of black streaked with white completes the wing. The markings of the 

 under wings are blackish-brown or very pale wood-brown, except one tiny patch of scarlet on 

 the upper edge. 



THE POLLUX, a large and boldly colored insect, is a native of Ashantee and Guinea. As 

 is evident by the enormous dimensions of the thorax, which contain the muscles that work the 

 wings, so wide and strongly made, the butterfly is swift and enduring of flight. The upper 

 surface of both wings is deep rich black-brown, and the body is of a similar, but rather paler 

 hue. The somew y hat indistinct markings on the upper wings are ochreous-yellow, and those 

 at the base of the lower wings are likewise yellow, which fades into white towards the base. 

 The slight edging of the lower wings is blue, except the little streak at the angle, which is 

 yellow. The under surface is very richly mottled, though without any brilliant colors. The 

 basal half of the wings is jetty-black, with streaks and rings of white ; then follows a broad 

 white belt changing gradually into buff, and on the upper wings the remainder is brown, 

 marked indistinctly with shades of gray. In the lower wings the white belt is followed by a 

 broad stripe of chocolate, then by festoons of gray upon brown, then of a row of deep blue 

 spots, then by a waved band of yellow, and lastly by a border of black. The legs are black 

 and white like the base of the wings, from which they can hardly be distinguished when 

 folded. 



A BUTTERFLY which is known by the appropriate name of ACONTHEA (which word is of 

 Greek origin, signifying thorny), is a native of Java and India. 



Although not remarkable for any brightness of hue, its tint being peculiarly sober, the 

 regular shape of the larva and pupa render it worthy of observation. The caterpillar is mostly 

 found on some species of Bryonia, and is remarkable for the wonderfully long projections 

 from its body, which are evidently analogous to, though far surpassing in size, those upon the 

 caterpillar of the peacock-butterfly, which is represented on page 412. When it has cast its 

 skin for the last time, and is about to change into the pupa state, it prepares for the coming 

 event by spinning a large web of stout and shining silken threads, which often nearly cover 

 the under surface of the leaf to which it is afterwards suspended. It then bursts through the 

 caterpillar-skin, hitches itself to the silken web, and hangs there until its final change into the 



