PAPILIO. 



Devoted Exclusively to Lepidoptera. 



Edited by ( Y„, 



'r.^ ^^'\ Philadelphi a, May, 1884. | ^^;^^;^- 



ON THE CATERPILLARS OF NORTH AMERICAN 

 PAPILIONIDiE AND NYMPHALIDiE. 



15v I)k. AinuTST Gruber, Professor of Zoolo.o;y in Freil)iirt;-. 

 Jena, 1884. 



Translated from the /t'/ni ZeitschriftfiirNaturcvissc7ischaft{y,<\. X\TI, N. F. X.) 

 by Charles E. Aaron, A. M. 



Prof. Weismann, in his " Studies on the Theory of Descent," in the 

 hapter on the origin of the markings of butterfly-larvae, indicates how 

 valuable would be the extension of his researches to other groups of 

 Lepidoptera. He says: " An elaboration of the Papilionidce would 

 appear to me of especial value, not merely of the few European species, 

 but, above all, of the American and Indian. At this time we know 

 almost nothing of the early stages of their caterpillars." I have it 

 from Prof Weismann, himself, that he had for some time entertained 

 the purpose to pursue this line of study, and had sought to possess 

 himself of the requisite material. At his request the distinguished 

 student of the North American butterflies, Mr. W. H. Edwards, of 

 Coalburgh, sent to him from time to time several almost complete 

 series of the preparatory stages of various species of Papilionidce pre- 

 served in alcohol. In addition to these Mr. PIdwards presented him 

 with a still larger number of the caterpillars of other butterflies, also 

 in complete series. 



As Prot. Weismann was detained by other studies from the elabora- 

 tion of the collections sent by Mr. Edwards, he handed over to me this 

 valuable, but, as it proves, difficult material. I have now analyzed and 

 figured the greater part of these caterpillars in reference to the finer 

 details of their external structure, and have thus arrived at the results 

 which I now propose to present in this paper. The observations are, 

 it must be admitted, quite imperfect, and if, nevertheless, I proceed to 

 publish them, it is with the conviction that not for a long time, if ever. 



