PAPILIO III. 



called "seasonal" dimorphism by Mr. Wallace, where great differences exist be- 

 tween the autumnal and vernal broods of the same insect, occasionally known to 

 occur. 



These phenomena meet in the species Ajax, there being a complicated 

 seasonal polymorphism and also true polymorphism in both sexes. Moreover there 

 is a considerable degree of variation in each of the three princijial forms (though 

 not to an extent to constitute intergrades) not merely in the imago but strikingly 

 in the larva and somewhat in the chrysalis. There is also a tendency to still further 

 departure from the average specific type, as seen in the sub-varieties of Walshii. 



It is not certain which of these forms was first described as Ajax and should 

 be entitled to give name to the species. The indefinite language of Linnaeus and 

 Fabricius may apply to either. The figure of Esper, under the name oi'AJnx, repre- 

 sents MarccHus; Cramer's Marccllus is the one which I designate as WalshiL 

 Abbot's figures rej^reseut a variety of this last, the difference consisting in the pres- 

 ence of a carmine stri2:)e on the upper surface of secondaries. This form is not un- 

 common, though I believe the stripe is always imjierfect and in no case so jiromi- 

 nent as apjiears on Abbot's jdate. About one individual in ten of either sex of 

 Walshii exhibits traces of the stripe to a greater or less degree. 



Boisduval and Leconte regarded this Abhotii as entitled to be considered the 

 true Ajax, because besides giving a figure of the imago. Abbot also gives the 

 larva and chrysalis, and they proposed to follow him. In the text they do so very 

 nearly, but their plate represents Telaino aides. Felder also accepts Abbot's figure 

 as that of the tyjjical Ajax. 



As regards the claims of the three principal varieties they are equal ; neither 

 can be called a variety of the other, but they are varieties of one species. To avoid 

 confusion it seemed to me well to apply the name Ajax to them collectively and to 

 designate two of them by the names which have become familiar. The other I 

 name in recollection of the late Benjamin D. Walsh, whose untimely loss proves 

 well nigh irreparable to American Entomology. A second sub-variety of Walshii, 

 characterized by very narrow tails and usually by diminutive size was pronounced 

 by Mr. Felder, to whom it had been submitted, as distinct and constituting a fourth 

 species, (see j^late herewith). 



I am not certain whether Walshii is as wide spread as Telamonides or not. 

 Mr. Walsh informed me that he had never met with it in Illinois, where the 

 other was common. But I have received it from Eastern Virginia and Dr. A. W. 

 Chapman has sent it to me from Florida. Dr. G. IM. Levette,, has taken it 

 abundantly in the month of April, near Indianapolis. Abbot's figures pu^-port also 

 to have been taken from a Georgian insect. It seems probable therefore that it 

 is wide spread but has been over-looked or confounded with Telamonides. 



