LEPIDOPTERA. 



SATURNIA ATLAS. 



Plate 42. 



Family. Bombycid;e. 



Genus. Saturnia, Schranck. (Phalcena Attacus, Linn.) 



Ch. Sp. S. alls anticis falcatis, luteo variis, macula fenestrata anticis sesquialtera. Expans. 

 alar. 8 unc. 

 S. with the anterior wings falcate; yellow brown, varied with paler markings, each 

 wing with a triangular talc-like spot in the middle, the anterior having also a 

 smaller one near the tips. Expanse of the wings 8 inches. 



Syn. Phaleena Attacus Atlas, Lin7i. Syst. Nat. 2. p. 808. Petiv. Gaz. t. 8./. 7. Fab. 



Ent. Syst. III. I. p. 407. Cratn. Ins. 381. C. 382. A. 



The nocturnal Lepidoptera are remarkable for the neatness and simplicity of their 

 colours. Their elegancies consist in the infinite variety and delicacy of intermingled 

 tints : the contrast of spots, specklings, and 1-ineations, which constitute the minutia; of 

 insect beauty. Some species are to be excepted in this remark ; the larger kinds are 

 often gaudy, and the smallest exhibit a display of the richest colours, fancifully disposed, 

 and most elegantly diversified. 



The European species are numerous, and pretty well ascertained : those of remote 

 countries remained, at the period of the publication of the first edition of this work, and 

 still remain in great obscurity. The species inhabiting China are almost unknown ;* for 

 Fabricius describes not more than twenty species in all the cabinets in Europe. From 

 this scanty number a few are selected to illustrate the genus, and if these appear deficient 

 in point of interest or variety, it may stimulate others to collect new species whenever 

 an opportunity occurs. The moths, not only of China, but of every country except 

 Europe, have received but little attention. In Europe, the number of this tribe exceeds 

 that of any other : on the contrary, the extra European species are comparatively the 

 most inconsiderable of our acquisitions. The Papiliones, or butterflies, are a showy and 

 lively race : they sport in the open fields by day, and attract the traveller's curiosity ; 

 hence our cabinets abound with them. But the moths, infinitely more numerous, and 

 not less pleasing, are seldom seen ; in the gloominess of their dispositions, they seek the 



* Fab. Ent. Syst. These are chiefly described from insects in the collection of " Monson Londini," of 

 which no figures are extant, and the collection unknown. 





