1864.] 443 



Notes upon EXOTIC LEPIDOPTERA, chiefly from the Philippine Islands, with 

 descriptions of some new species. 



BY TRYON REAKIRT. 



I have not confined myself to descriptions of Lepidoptera from the lo- 

 cahty above indicated alone; but where other species have been required 

 from other places to complete a natural group, when I have had them in 

 my collection, I have introduced them for the purpose of showing the 

 .shades of resemblance and the transition from one species to another 

 through different degrees of latitude. Climatal influence often exercises 

 great power in the variation of species ; some are changed so as to be 

 scarcely recognizable, bearing no similitude to their normal condition. 



Besides, those associated by nature in their form and habits, I have 

 also, in addition to a number of new species, described all the remain- 

 ing Asiatic, including the surrounding islands, African and Australian 

 Lepidoptera in my collection, for this reason : 



Few descriptions of exotic Lepidoptera are to be found in the English 

 language, and where there are such, they are scattered through a multi- 

 tude of proceedings of different societies, none of which are American ; 

 or are to be found in some larger and more collective work, which, most 

 probably, is inaccessible to a majority of P]ntomological students. 



Dr. Boisduval has attempted to fill the void created by the want of 

 a descriptive work with his Species Greneral, but this, besides being 

 imperfect in many respects, is also, unfortunately, not in our language. 

 On account of the great need of such a work I have attempted the de- 

 scription of a small portion of the Eastern Lepidoptei'a, giving as full 

 synonymy as possible, contrasting my specimens with author's descrip- 

 tions, and remarking their differences and peculiarities. 



In order to give a complete list of authentic localities in which the spe- 

 cies described have been found, I have combined those mentioned in the 

 Catalogue of the British Museum, and in the collections of the East 

 India Company and Dr. Boisduval, together with mine, which furnishes 

 many new geographical locations for well known species. 



Localities mentioned by authors, but of which the species are in- 

 cluded in none of the above, I have presented in the form of a quota- 

 tion, with the authority appended. 



