of BuLter flies related to the Genus Morpho. 169 



ph(tlides) in the very same manner contain also representations of 

 Juliform,Tliysanuriform, Vermiform and Anopluriform caterpillars, 

 besides their own proper type, which is Scolopendriform." In this 

 point of view therefore the purple emperor butterfly is to be 

 regarded as belonging to the Nyniphaiidce, but as the type of a 

 group of that tribe ot butterflies, which represents the Thysanu- 

 riform group. 



Whether or not these views of Mr. Swainson will ultimately be 

 found true to the extent which he gave to them, it cannot, I think, 

 be doubted that the fixing on a single character, such as that ex- 

 hibited by the larvae of any tribe of butterflies, is not sufficient to 

 draw into that tribe every butterfly which may happen to exhibit 

 that character under any extent of development or modification. 

 We may easily imagine modifications in a Nymphalideous larvn, 

 which might have for their result the production of a form so 

 much resembling that of a real Thysanuriform larvae as to lead 

 to an idea that it belonged to the latter primary group ; and it 

 needs only to look over the various figures to which I have above 

 referred to be convinced that, although agreeing in one or two 

 characters, such as the cornuted head or bifid tail, they exhibit 

 other and more material difl^erences inter se. 



These considerations, which I have detailed rather with the 

 view of showing the difficulties in the present state of the question 

 as to the distribution of the Diurnal Lepidoptera, than of attempting 

 to lay down any decided system of classification, will suffice to 

 prove that the Murphidw, although agreeing with the Hippar- 

 chiidce in the ocellated markings of the under side of the wings, 

 and in the pisciform character of the larvae, cannot be associated 

 therewith on account of the more general preponderance of 

 Nymphalideous characters exhibited by the imago. It is true that 

 their large size might, and indeed has been used as a proof of 

 their being the types of the Thysanuriform group ; but in my 

 opinion this very fact of their gigantic size is of itself an evidence 

 of aberration from a given type, and would serve rather to con- 

 vince me that they should be deemed to be aberrant NymphalidcB, 

 approaching towards the Wpparclmdce — if, indeed, the rank of a 

 distinct family should be denied to them. I must, at the same 

 time, confess that I find it next to impossible to draw any (even 

 an artificial) line of separation between the Morphida; and such 

 genera as Discophora^ Zeuxidia, Amathusia, Dyctis and Kallima. 

 Having, however, detailed the characters of these groups in the 

 "Genera of Diurnal Lepidoptera" I shall not enter further into the 

 question of their position, and shall now proceed to enumerate the 



