On a neiv species of Ornithoptera , by 

 The Hon. A. W. Scott, Esq., M.A., M.L.C. 



[Read 7th December, 1863.] 

 Ornithoptera Cassandra, ? , W. MacLeay, Junr., MSS. 



Although the genus Ornithoptera of Dr. Boisduval is com- 

 posed exclusively of the largest, the most beautiful, and conse- 

 quently the most conspicuous of all the diurnal lepidoptera, and 

 although the number of species now known is comparatively few, 

 nevertheless there exists an almost inextricable confusion in 

 relation to the true deterniination of the species, arising no 

 doubt from the complete ignorance under which we labour as 

 to their metamorphoses and habits. This great disadvantage, it 

 is to be hoped, will ere long be lessened, if not entirely dispelled, 

 by the practical researches of those enterprisiug and scientific 

 naturalists who so praiseworthily devote themselves to the study 

 of the metamorphoses of insects, with fully as much ardour as 

 they exhibit in furnishing fresh specimens for the cabinet. The 

 New South Wales Entomological Society already numbers many 

 such useful members, among whom our President is pre-eminent ; 

 and as the UTorthern parts of this Continent and the adjacent 

 Islands appear to be the favoured habitat of the Ornithoptera, 

 our Transactions will probably be the first to record the true 

 position of many of the present doubtful species of this splendid 

 group. 



It is clear that we cannot over-estimate the importance of 

 ascertaining the preparatory stages, if we wish to acquire a true 

 knowledge as to whether any particular insect can be considered 

 as a distinct species or merely as a variety, for we observe in 

 numerous instances, even in the most modern and otherwise 

 best authorities, that owing to the absence of this information 

 many errors exist in the specific classification of several of our 

 colonial lepidoptera, among which we may enumerate the Glia- 

 ragice, Pieli, Zeuzerce-, and the Antherece. As we so thoroughly 

 coincide in the views entertained by Dr. Boisduval on this 

 subject, we cannot resist quoting his appropriate and elegant 

 language. " Our method is partly founded on the caterpillar 



