THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 127 



A few hitherto undescribed varieties have been given names, as we 

 beheve that any form sufficiently distinct to merit a characterization is 

 worthy a distinguishing name. Such action, in our opinion, is in the 

 interests of the science. A variety unnamed, or only indicated by a 

 number or a letter of the alphabet, is much more likely to be ignored and 

 subsequently redescribed than if it is at once elevated to the dignity of a 

 recognizable name. Papilio asterias, var. alunata, is more likely to be 

 respected than P. asterias, var. A. 



Papilio ajax. — This species is said to have been found here in some 

 numbers in past years. In a collecting experience of twelve years we 

 have seen but three specimens. Pawpaw, its food plant, is scarce in this 

 region. Nearly thirty years ago Mr. Newman reported rearing it in some 

 numbers from the chrysalis. 



Papilio philenor. — Occasionally common, but as a rule very few 

 specimens are to be taken. During the season of 1888 a colony of larvae 

 was found here on the moon-vine (Ipomxa bonei-nox ), a cultivated plant 

 which is grown to a considerable extent in West Philadelphia. Most of 

 these were infested by parasites, which, at this writing, have not emerged 

 from their chrysalids. A feature of the unusually warm weather of the 

 past winter was the finding of a perfect $ Philenor flying in Logan 

 Square, opposite the Academy of Natural Sciences, on February 26th. 



Papilio asterias.- — Common and very variable. One very interesting 

 variation we think worthy of description, 



P. asterias, var. $ , ahmata, nov, var. — Type, American Entomologi- 

 cal Society. Expands four inches ; emarginations faint and nearly white ; 

 primaries apically produced, with but four sub-marginal spots, each one 

 growing fainter as the last one in the lower disco-cellular nervule is 

 reached ; the spot between ist and 2nd sub-costal nervures is faint ; in 

 the marginal row the spots are smaller and rounder. Secondaries : mar- 

 ginal lunules indicated very faintly, the blue between the nervures bright 

 and well marked ; no yellow spots internal to the blue, except the one at 

 the apex, which is much smaller than the normal. Beneath : primaries 

 as above, the orange spots usual in lower half of the sub-marginal row 

 wanting. Secondaries with the sub-marginal row of orange spots very 

 much smaller than in the typical form. No spot in the cell. In the 

 collection of Dr. Skinner there is a striking specimen which differs from 



