PREFACE. ix 



the 'Rhopalocera Malayaua' cannot be thoroughly studied, and this })ul)lication is simply 

 an introduction to the subject. There is little doubt that when the Malay butterflies are 

 carefully and systematically bred by some careful and accurate observer, many of the so-called 

 species described in this volume will be found to be but seasonal forms of some other speciesi 

 whilst, on the other hand, forms which we have degraded from specific rank on account 

 of smallness in divergence of character, may show in larval conditions true specific differences. 

 The standard of biological study, in a philosophical sense, has been wonderfully raised during 

 the last few years, and entomological science has necessarily followed the same path. 



The literature of the Rhopalocera has now been sufficiently long in the iconographic 

 condition. There was a time when the importance of this description of work could scarcely 

 be over-estimated, and the publications of Cramer and Drury may be said to have culminated 

 in the beautiful works of Hewitson. The next epoch may be called the search for a 

 classificatory or methodical arrangement. It began with the publication of the excehent 

 and stiU valuable 'Genera of Diurnal Lepidoptera,' to which the names of Westwood, 

 Doiibleday, and Hewitson are attached, and eventually produced Mr. Kirby's ' Synonymic 

 Catalogue,' a compilation which has been nniversaUy used, and which — in the opinion of the 

 writer — has helped the study as much as any other single work yet published. We have now 

 approached the critical and philosophical epoch in which curiosity as to the constituents of a 

 fauna is submerged in the enquiry as to the derivation or evolution of that fauna. The 

 key-note was struck when Bates eloquently remarked, as to the wings of butterflies, "that on 

 these expanded membranes Nature writes, as on a tablet, the story of the modifications of 

 species, so truly do all changes of the organisation register themselves thereon." * 



It now becomes my pleasant duty to gratefully acknowledge the assistance of those, who 

 in one case was directly instrumental in this work being published, and in the other instances 

 have helped to make it what it is, by reducing its errors and contributing information. 

 ' Hamlet' without the Prince of Denmark, would be 'Rhopalocera Malayana' without the name 

 of my friend D. Logan, of Penang. The inception of the publication is due to him ; the 

 clauses of our arrangement were very simple — I was to write as a labour of love, and he agreed 

 to act as the financial Mtecenas. He has thoroughly fulfilled his obligation — I hoi)e he may 

 think that I have tried to do the same. 



I also have to return thanks to the Army, the Navy, and the Church for much help on the 

 spot. It was fortunate that the " Inuiskillings" were quartered at Singapore, and I thus 

 secured the assistance of Lieut. A. Mainwaring Goodrich and Paymaster Jno. Manners Kerr, 

 whilst Capt. M. J. Godfery, of the Commissariat and Transport Staff placed me under no 

 inconsiderable obligation, not only by the gift and loan of specimens, but also by the 

 contribution of many original observations. A call made at Singapore by H. M. S. ' Penelope,' 

 with that enthusiastic entomologist Mr. Gervase F. Mathew on board, naturally added to our 

 knowledge ; and that the Rev. L. C. Biggs has been Chaplain both at Malacca and Penang 



=1= ' Naturalist on the Amazons,' Srd edit., p. 348. One is almost reminded of the words of Sir Thomas Browne, though 

 alluding to "bees, ants, and spiders": — " Buder heads stand amazed at these prodigious pieces of nature, whales, elephants, 

 dromedaries, and camels ; these, I confess, are the colossuses and majestick pieces of her hand ; but in these narrow engines 

 there is more curious mathematicks ; aud the civility of these little citizens more neatly sets forth the wisdom of their 

 Maker" (' Religio Medici'). 



