PURPLE EMPEROR. 



71 



Natural Or^er II. SLUG-SHAPED CATERPILLARS (in 

 science Limaciformes). 



The distinguishing character, and that to 

 which we have no exception among the 

 British species of the Order, is the slug-like 

 form of the caterpillar : it is generally covered 

 with minute warts, giving the surface the 

 appearance of very fine shagreen ; it is with- 

 out spines, and the body terminates in two 

 points, which are directed backwards. The 

 chrysalis is angled, but not sharply so ; its 

 head is broad, often as though cut off abruptly : 

 in some species it is rounded or very blunt ; 

 in others it has two rather distant short 

 points, generally described as ears; it is always 

 or almost always, suspended by the tail, and 

 hangs head downwards. The perfect insect 

 has the fore feefc totally unfitted for walking, 

 and without claws. The British species are 

 divided into two families. 



Family 5. EMPERORS (in science Apaturidw). 



The caterpillar is very stout in the middle, 



but more slender towards the head, the crown 

 of which is produced into two horns (which 

 are usually directed forwards when the crea- 

 ture is crawling), and very much, although 

 gradually, tapered towards the tail. The 

 chrysalis is always suspended by tlie tail ; it is 

 stout but rather compressed on the s-ides ; its 

 head is divided into two blunt points or ears. 

 The perfect insect has only four perfect legs, 

 and has very gradually thickened antennae, 

 ample wings, and a most powerful flight. We 

 have but one British genus or species, com- 

 monly known as the Emperor (in science 

 Apatura Iris). 



Obs. The word Apatura is probably mis- 

 printed for Apodura, signifying that the 

 caterpillar has no feet at the tail or caudal 

 extremity a very striking character, but not 

 confined to this particular genus, as will be 

 seen in my descriptions of the Satyis: the 

 spelling cannot nowb-sr' red, having been 

 so generally adopted. 



19. Purple Emperor (Apatura Iris). Upper side of Male. 



19. PUSPLE EMPEROR. The antennae are 

 rather long, and the club very gi-adually 

 thickened : the fore wings are slightly arched 

 on the costal margin, rounded at the tip, and 

 without angles on the hind margin : the hind 

 margin of the hind wings is scalloped, and the 

 anal angle produced : the ground colour is 

 rusty-black, the male being decorated with a 

 purple lustre, which, in certain positions, is 

 very beautiful ; the female is without the 

 purple gloss ; on the fore wings are seven 

 white spots, the position of which will be 



seen in the figxire ; it has also a portion of a 

 transverse white band, which commences near 

 the middle of the wing, proceeds to the inner 

 margin, and is continued obliquely across the 

 middle of the hind wings ; in the male these 

 markings are pure white, in the female they 

 are tinged with yellow : there is a faint and 

 undefined bar parallel to the hind margin of 

 all the wings ; the anal angle is tinged with 

 rust-colour ; and near the anal angle is an 

 ocellated black spot, with a blue pupil and a 

 rust coloured circumscription. The under 



