193 



THE SILVER STRIPE BUTTERFLY. 



Papilio Paphia. 



PLATE XLIII. 



Ppilio Paphia, Linn. Syst. Nat. ii. p. 786, No. 209. 

 Wilk's Pap. 57, 2, A. 7. Donovan's British Insects, 

 pi. 247. 



THE wings are fulvous, or bright yellow, con- 

 siderably indented on their posterior margin ; the 

 upper surface is elegantly spotted with black. The 

 under side is striped with a silvery metallic lustre. 



The Papilio paphia is one of the most elegant of 

 the British Papiliones. In size, colour, and general 

 appearance of the upper side, it is very similar to 

 Papilw agala; in the under side, it is extremely 

 different. Both these butterflies are remarkable for 

 that peculiar shining appearance of polished silver 

 with which a few of the European Fritillary Butterflies 

 are ornamented ; but, in Papilio agala, this silver is 

 disposed in distinct splashes, or spots ; while, in 

 Papilio paphia, it appears in transverse streaks. 

 These streaks are finely softened into the red and 

 olive green of the wings, and produce altogether a 

 singular and charming effect. It is from the latter 

 circumstance the early English collectors termed this 

 the Silver-wash Fritillary. 



