482 NATURAL HISTORY OF ARTHROPODS. 



is green, with a row of yellow spots, and the chrysalis green, smooth, thick, and 

 coriaceous in texture. It produces two broods during the year. " In many parts of 

 France the butterfly is named ' the Pacha with two tails.' ' It is probable that most of 

 the species have the same life history as JV. jason, the earlier stages of which have 

 been carefully studied by M. Lefebure of Toulon. Those inhabiting the west coast 

 of Africa are very fine and remarkable insects, and JV. brutus, JV. etheodes, and JV. 

 etesipe and others are among the wonders displayed in the cabinet of the enthusiast. 

 Australia produces a beautiful form in JV. sempronius, which is abundant in gardens 

 near Sydney, delighting to settle on the flowers of JSursaria spinosa, and is perhaps 

 one of the larger butterflies most frequently seen in that delightful country. Another 

 grand species was captured by Mr. Wallace in Java, viz., JV. kadenii, which is 

 " remarkable for having on each hind wing two curved tails like a pair of callipers." 

 Many others are also taken in India, of which the best known, and perhaps the most 

 common, is JV. athamas, which is black, with very broad median band of yellowish 

 green. The most variable species is JV. pofyxena, of which not less than seventeen 

 forms are recorded under different names. It extends from India proper through the 

 islands of the Borneo group, southward to Ceylon, presenting considerable change of 

 feature in its different locations. 



Prepona consists of large and powerful insects, in which the upper side of the 

 wings is variously marked with purple-blue shades, while the lower is stone-drab or 

 fawn color. These insects rest very much upon the trunks of trees, and when the 

 wings are folded and erect, it is almost impossible to distinguish them from the bark 

 upon which they are placed. This must serve as a great protection, as the shiny blue 

 wings would render them an attractive object to birds and other enemies. 



Apatura is a most beautiful genus, in which the very long antennas are surmounted 

 by a cylindrical club, the thorax long and robust, the abdomen small, the wings 

 slightly dentate, always with one ocellus, if not more, on the lower side, the outer 

 edge of primaries and the anal angle of the secondaries slightly concave. They are 

 very robust and powerful insects, and are noted for their long and vigorous flight. 

 Many of the species have the most glorious lilac, purple, or blue reflection, and may 

 be regarded as very handsome insects. A. iris is a European species of great beauty, 

 so much so as to have obtained the familiar name of the " Purple Emperor." It has 

 the wings of the richest purple, with a few white spots at the apex, and a rather 

 narrow band of white common to both wings. Near the anal angle is an orange 

 ocellus, with a black pupil, while the under side is profusely ornamented with brown, 

 orange, and white. Like many of its tribe, A. iris is a very high flier, and, as West- 

 wood says, " delights to fix his throne on the summit of a lofty oak, from the utmost 

 sprigs of which, on sunny days, he performs his aerial excursions, defending his terri- 

 tory against a rival emperor with the greatest energy. The females are much rarer, 

 and do not take such lofty flights as the males." 



Limenitis is distinguished by having the head narrower than the thorax, the 

 antennae almost as long as the body, and the wings wide, slightly dentate, and 

 destitute of ocelli. We have seven or eight species in the United States, one of 

 which, L. lorquini, is only found on the Pacific slope. It is in coloration allied to 

 Adelpha, and, from the structure of its caterpillar, should probably form the type 

 of a distinct genus between it and Limenitis. L. weidemeyrii is a very fine species 

 from the Rocky Mountains ; while L. astyanax (or L. ursuld) and L. artemis are 

 by no means uncommon in the middle and eastern states. L. proserpina is now 



