130 



THE ORIENTAL EMPEROR. 

 Papilio Ripheus. CHINA. 



Papilio Ripheus, Gmeliri's Linn&us, p. 2235 Fair. Mant. 

 Ins. p. 6, n. 43 Cramer, Pap. 33, t. 385. f. A. B. 



THE superior wings are golden green, paler 

 towards their interior margins, and clouded with large 

 longitudinal patches of black. The colour deepens 

 to a brilliant verdigris green, as it approaches the 

 exterior margin. Inferior wings, golden green, ver- 

 digris green at their anal margin, and with large 

 clouds of black. Near the centre, in each, is a large 

 undefined spot of deep carmine, with two black spots 

 in the middle. Each of these wings is furnished 

 with three acute points, and three caudate wings. 

 The body is quite black ; the antenna? are subulate. 

 When extended, this butterfly measures, from the tip 

 of each wing, five inches and a quarter. 



The caterpillar of this species is unknown ; but, 

 in all probability, it bears a strong resemblance to 

 that of the Papilio leilas, \vhich has been figured in 

 Madam Marian's Surinam Insects. 



Besides the extreme rarity of this species, it may 

 be reckoned the most beautiful of this splendid tribe. 

 It is a native of China, and various other places oi 

 the East. 



