73 



ALBIN'S HAMPSTEAD EYE. 



PLATE XXXIII. 



Cyiilhia Hampstediensis, Stephens. Wesiwood. 



Hipparchia Hampstediensis, Jermyn. 

 Papilio oculatus Hampstediensis ex 



aureo fuscus, Petiver. 



The only specimen of this insect that has ever yet been recorded, 

 was captured at Hampstead, near London, by Albin, and then first 

 described and figured by Petiver. It has since been continuously 

 figured and described by succeeding entomologists, who have faithfully 

 copied the original picture. By some it has been considered a foreign 

 specimen, accidentally imported; by others as the product of two 

 different species. The specimen is however no longer in existence, and 

 cannot speak for itself; no 'Ecce signum' can now testify to the 

 truthfulness of the entomologist who shall pretend more accurately to 

 describe it, than in the stereotyped form which has come down to 

 the present day. 



The fore wings have been described as fulvous brown, with three 

 transverse dark brown markings; two lengthened ones near the hinder 

 margin, and the margin itself yellow: there is a large eye near the 

 tip and another near the lower corner. The hind wings are also 

 brown with a yellow margin, and with two large eyes following the 

 margin. 



Underneath, the fore wings are yellowish brown, with brown cloudings, 

 and a row of brown crescents near the margin. The hind wings are 

 dull yellowish brown, with darker cloudings of brown at the base, a 

 small eye near the corner, and a row of four brown spots, between 

 which and the [margin is a nearly obsolete row of brown crescent- 

 shaped marks. 



