ci 
6. 7. Medecicasta (Papilio Rumina, Hibn. tab. 394, 595; P. Rumina-australis, 
Esper; La Proserpine, Ernst, Pap. d’Europe). The larva lives on several species of 
Aristolochia: it is usually of a brownish yellow colour, with many longitudinal black 
lines, and six rows of spines, orange-coloured. The pupa is not unlike that of 
Cassandra. This species passes the winter in the pupa state, and appears on the wing 
in May. I have found it near Grasse in May, also, not uncommonly, near Hyéres. 
Its flight is not so sluggish as that of Cassandra: it is partial to localities where the 
beautiful rose-coloured Cistus (Helianthemum album) grows. There is one hill in 
particular near Hyeéres upon which this plant is found in remarkable profusion, and 
here Medecicasta may be seen in some plenty. I have observed that this insect 
seldom flies after 2 or 3 p.m, while Cassandra is partial to the afternoon sunshine, 
and may be seen on the wing until 4 P.M. or even later. There is a variety of this 
species figured, under the name of Thais Hunnoratii, by Boisduval (Spec. Gen. des 
Lépid. plate 1 B, fig. 4), which appears only to be found in the neighbourhood of 
Digne: it is smaller than the type; the crimson spots are much enlarged upon the 
lower wings, and upon the upper wings are much more numerous (and also larger) 
than in the type; the second and third costal bands are very small. This variety is 
exceedingly rare, and specimens fetch about £1 each in the Paris dealers’ shops; I have 
been told, however, by an old French entomologist, that they have been known to 
fabricate this variety, by selecting small individuals of Medecicasta and dexterously 
colouring them by means of crimson scales borrowed from other specimens, the black 
scales of the second and third costal bands being neatly removed and their place sup- 
plied by yellow scales. I have followed most authors in giving Honnoratii as a 
variety of Medecicasta: if, however, this be the case, it is rather curious that it should 
only have occurred in one locality out of several in which Medecicasta abounds. The 
statement, moreover, that it has been reared from a larva identical with that of Mede- 
cicasta must be, I thiuk, received with caution. I knew a French collector who had 
at one time two thousand larve of Medecicasta, and not one produced Honuoratii. 
7. T. Rumina. This species is pretty closely allied to the preceding. It is, how- 
ever, somewhat smaller, and frequently of a darker yellow, but this difference is by no 
means constant. The best distinctive marks perhaps are as fullows:—a white sub- 
diaphanous spot near the apex of the fore wings (occasionally absent), the absence of a 
crimson patch on the lower edge of the fore wings, and the much greater extension of 
the black marks near the outer edge. The outline of the fore wings is also different from 
that of Medecicasta, the curve of the costa especially. The larve of Rumina are 
grayish, with small longitudinal black markings and six rows of short reddish spines. 
The pupa is ash-coloured, in form similar to that of Cassandra, This species is 
chiefly found in Southern Spain, Portugal and North Africa: it has, however, occurred 
very rarely) near Hyéres, and it is said near Cannes also. April and May seem to be 
the months for its appearance in the perfect state. It is subject to considerable 
variation, and I am not certain whether the specimens from Cannes are not in reality 
varieties of Medecicasta.” 
New Part of ‘ Transactions, 
A new part of the ‘ Transactions’ (third series, vol. iv. part 2), published in August, 
being the fourth part issued for 1867, and containing a continuation of Mr. Baly’s 
“ Phytophaga Malayana,” was on the table. 
as 
