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Remarks on the Synonymy of Vanessa C-aureum, Linn. ; by 



W. F. KiRBY. 



Tn the last number of tlie " Cistula Entomologica," Mr. O. E. 

 Janson states that lie cannot see any reason for considering 

 Angelica, Cram., identical with C-aureum, Linn., alleging that 

 the description " though almost useless for the purpose of iden- 

 tification," agrees quite well with the C-aureum, of Fabricius, 

 Cramer, and Hiibner. He sets aside the locality of the Linnean 

 insect as unworthy of consideration, and reflects upon me for 

 having placed Hiibner's figures of C-aureum, and Cramer's 

 figure of Angelica together. I have just received Mr. Strecker's 

 '' Butterflies and Moths of North America," and at p. 128, I find 

 a long discussion on the subject, decidely identifying C-aureum, 

 of Linn., with the Asiatic Angelica, Cram., and not with the 

 North American Interrogationis, Fabr. The Linnean descrip- 

 tion runs — " Papilio C-aureum, alis angulatis fulvis nigro-macu- 

 latis ; posticis subtus C. aureo notatis. Habitat in Asia. Similli- 

 mus P. C-albo, sed duplo major, subtus magis luteo-nebulosus, et 

 C. aureo minori notatis." Mr. Strecker remarks " This is plain 

 enough ; neither Interrogationis nor var. Unibrosa are cloudy 

 yellow beneath, but C-aureum most undoubtedly is." To which 

 I will add that the silver mark on the underside of Angelica is 

 always much smaller than that of C-album, while that of Inter- 

 rogationis is always much larger. As regards the Linnean 

 locahties, an error is of rare occurrence, as any one may see for 

 himself, who will take the trouble to compare them ; always, 

 of course, remembering that the phrase " In Indiis," must be 

 left out of account, as it meant no more with Linne than "an 

 exotic species, of which I do not know the locality." With 



