198 THALIURA RHIPHEUS. 



the anterior margin and forming a central band, the 

 whole surface marked with orbicular black spots, 

 which become larger posteriorly. Body black, ful- 

 tous beneath : antennas wholly black. 



The female is about one-third larger than the 

 male, the anal mark larger and of a golden colour 

 with little mixture of purple. 



" This species," says M. Boisduval, who first 

 completed the natural history of this insect by de- 

 scribing its various states and metamorphoses, 

 " which may be considered as the most beautiful 

 lepidopteron known, inhabits Madagascar. It has 

 been once taken in Bourbon, whither the caterpillar 

 had probably been transported accidentally. Ac- 

 cording to Cramer it is likewise found on the coast 

 of Coromandel. 



" The caterpillar lives on the Mangifera Indica. 

 On first issuing from the egg, it is nearly smooth 

 and of a greenish tint ; after the first moult it as- 

 sumes a black colour, becomes covered with spines, 

 and protrudes at pleasure two rose-coloured retrac- 

 tile horns, placed on the first segment. Having 

 attained its full size it is rather slender, dilated 

 laterally towards the middle, and is about two or 

 three inches long. On each side there is a festoon 

 composed of many irregular bands of white, green, 

 and yellow points : the horns, which were of a 

 delicate rose-colour, become carmine-red; the first 

 pair of membraneous legs becomes very short, almost 

 rudimentary, and are of no use in walking; when 

 in motion, therefore, it curves the centre of its body 



