CHAPTER VIII. 



OF MALFORMATIONS OF INSECTS. 



LEPIDOPTEROUS insects, like other animals, are 

 subject to malformations. We have on record accounts 

 of some curious lusus nature of these tribes. 



Such insects are often termed hermaphrodite 

 insects. They frequently prove very puzzling to 

 inexperienced collectors ; and are often supposed 

 distinct species. The above term is completely 

 mfsapplied, and we are not aware of any specimens 

 entitled to this appellation having been found. 



Many instances of lusus natures in this order of 

 insects might be adduced, but we consider the follow- 

 ing as sufficient to show the extent of the phenomenon. 



In the collection of insects belonging to Professor 

 Germar are the following curiosities : 



1. Papilio atalanta. The left side male, the right 

 side female. The left pair of wings is smaller, and 

 more deeply indented than the right ; and the left 

 antenna shorter than the right. 



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