752 



Retrospective Criticism, 



Himalayan admiral is undoubt- 

 edly distinct; and it is interesting, 

 as showing the nice and beautiful 

 gradations which nature makes 

 between one insect and another ; 

 borrowing (if I may so speak) 

 certain characters respectively 

 from each of two nearly allied 

 species, in order to make up a 

 third distinct from either; and 

 thus ringing the changes, as it 

 w^ere, with colour, markings, &c. 

 Linnaeus long ago said, " Natura 

 non facit saltus^' — Nature does not take leaps; — and the 

 aphorism is beautifully exemplified in the above instance. 



Among the insects which I have said Mr. Weaver received 

 from the Himalayan Mountains were specimens of Papilio 

 Machaow, differing, so far as I can perceive, in no respect 

 from European examples. The specimen which he kindly 

 lent me for inspection is rather smaller, and has the colours 

 less brilliant, than some British specimens of Machaow in my 

 possession. I mention the occurrence of this insect in the 

 interior of India, to show how widely the species is distri- 

 buted through different parts of the world. 



Besides the varieties of Papilionidae above noticed, I ob- 

 served in the Birmingham museum the white variety of 

 C61ia5 Edus« (see p. 332., fig. 72.), taken, as I was informed, 

 near York; also a copper allied to Lycae'nfl dispar, but smaller, 

 which may perhaps prove to be a distinct species ; but, not 

 having it in my possession, I cannot attempt to describe it 

 from mere recollection. 



Ranged among Mr. Weaver's British insects are several 

 specimens of G61ia5 Europomr, which, no doubt, are of 



