406 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS [Dec., 'OQ 



marked by prominent longitudinal striae about 0.002 mm. apart, 

 and by less distinct cross striations. Owing to the heavy pig- 

 mentation of these companion scales, their striae were for some 

 time thought to be absent. We have seen that the rows of 

 scales are usually perpendicular to the vein. In the region of 

 the murotheca, however, the rows instead of presenting this 

 appearance, change their direction and assume an almost radial 

 arrangement, the scales in the immediate vicinity of the pocket 

 standing with their axes perpendicular to the vein (G. 41). 



In length, the wing scales of this butterfly vary from 0.07 

 mm. in the case of the androconia and companion scales of the 

 murotheca, through 0.12 mm. in the scales of the general sur- 

 face, and 0.5 mm. in the fringe scales to several times that 

 length in the case of hairs. 



From this brief account of the various types of scales found 

 upon the wings of Anosia plexippus, will be appreciated a few 

 of the obstacles to be overcome before a realization is possible 

 of Lyonet's statement* that, were anyone to take the pains, he 

 might recognize the species of butterflies from their scales, just 

 as a botanist recognizes a plant by its leaves. Not only do a 

 great variety of scales occur in a single species, but many 

 gradations between the types are found. 



BIBLIOGRAPHY. 



Bowerbank, James Scott. 



1838. On the structure of the scales on the wings of 

 lepidopterous insects. Entom. Mag. V, pp. 300-304. 



Craig, E. 



1839. On the configuration of the scales of butterflies' 

 wings as exhibited in the miscroscope. Phil. Mag. of 

 London and Edinburgh, XV, Series 2, pp. 279-282, fig. 



''"Chaque espece de papillon a des ecailles faites dans un gout qui lui 

 est particulier, et par ou celui qui voudroit en prendre la peine pourroit 

 se mettre <-n etat de reconnoitre, a la vue de quelques ecailles, 1'espece 

 de papillons a laquelle elles appartiennent, comme un pepinieriste recon- 

 noit les arbres, et un botaniste les plantes a leurs feuilles." 

 Lyonet then states that one could not but be surprised by the astound- 

 ing variety of forms occurring in a single species, not only upon the 

 wings, but upon the body as well. 



