2 



This magnificent butterfly is so exceedingly rare that M. Boisduval, whose knowledge 

 of the European Collections is very extensive, questions whether there exists any other 

 specimen than that originally figured by Drury. Mr. Jones also, whose splendid 

 Collection of Drawings are so frequently quoted by Fabricius, copied this insect, figuring 

 both the upper and under sides, which figures have been lately published by Mr. Donovan 

 in his Naturalist's Repository. Mr. Donovan also adds, that from the manuscripts of Mr. 

 Drury, " we find that he received this insect in 1775, from Mr. Smeathman, an assiduous 

 and very intelligent naturalist stationed at Sierra Leone." 



" From the observations of Mr. Smeathman it may be imagined that this insect is not 

 unfrequent in that particular part of Africa, but that its capture is attended with con- 

 siderable difficulty, as well from the manner of its flight, as the time when it appears on 

 the wing ; it is seen only in mid-day, when every exertion under the direct influence of a 

 vertical sun must be painful to an European. Its flight is also remarkable for its velocity, 

 and to increase the difficulty of taking it, the insect frequents only the upper branches of 

 the trees, from whence it darts and glances from one branch to another, and never 

 descends nearer to the ground than the height of eight feet. Mr. Smeathman observes 

 also, that it turns its head about instantly to the glade or path, and will not suffer any 

 person to approach within ' striking distance' of it, but will dart away on the least motion 

 of the body ; if the naturalist however exerts his patience, it will at last become more 

 familiar and careless, and is then to be caught upon some particular branch, to which it 

 will appear more attached than to another." 



Mr. Donovan however suggests, that the insect must be not only exceedingly local, 

 but also of great rarity. 



HEPIALUS CRASSUS. 



Plate II. fig. I. 



Order : Lepidoptera. Section : Nocturna. Family : Hepialidte, Steiih. 



Gencts. Hepialus, Fabr. Hepiolus, Illiger. Phalfena (Noctua), Drury. 



Hepialus Crassus. Alls aiiticis albis, fusco, cinereo, badioque variis, apice irregulariter albo, lunula magna 

 fusc4; posticis griseo-fuscantibus. (Expans. Alar. 7 uiic.) 



Stn. Phaliena (Noctua) crassa, Drury, App. vol. 3. 



Habitat : Sierra Leone, 



Upper Side. Antennae filifonn, whiteish at the base, black at the tips. Head whiteish, small. 

 Thorax whiteish, having two black tufts of hair on the shoulders, and two next the abdomen ; upper 

 part yellowish brown. Abdomen dark brown, almost black, being ringed and edged with dark grey. 

 Anterior wings whiteish, intermixed with many patches and irregular spots of grey and dark brown. 

 Posterior wings darkish grey brown, but lighter along the posterior edges. 



Under Side. All the parts on this side are of a dark yellow brown, of the same colour with the 

 upper side of the inferior wings. Abdomen rather lighter, with a dark brown line ruiming along its 

 middle from the thorax to the anus. 



