140 THE MALAYAN PAPILIONIDE AS 
moths, I yet maintain that, owing to the complete 
and even development of every part of their organi- 
zation, these insects best represent the highest per- 
fection to which the butterfly type has attained, and 
deserve to be placed at its head in every system of 
classification. 
Distribution of the Papilionide. 
The Papilionide are pretty widely distributed over 
the earth, but are especially abundant in the tropics, 
where they attain their maximum of size and beauty, 
and the greatest variety of form and colouring. 
South America, North India, and the Malay Islands 
are the regions where these fine insects occur in the 
greatest profusion, and where they actually become 
a not unimportant feature in the scenery. In the 
Malay Islands in particular, the giant Ornithoptere 
may be frequently seen about the borders of the cul- 
tivated and forest districts, their large size, stately 
flight, and gorgeous colouring rendering them even 
more conspicuous than the generality of birds. In 
the shady suburbs of the town of Malacca two large 
and handsome Papilios (Memnon and Nephelus) are 
not uncommon, flapping with irregular flight along 
the roadways, or, in the early morning, expanding 
their wings to the invigorating rays of the sun. In 
Amboyna and other towns of the Moluccas, the mag- 
nificent Deiphobus and Severus, and occasionally even 
the azure-winged Ulysses, frequent similar situations, 
fluttering about the orange-trees and flower-beds, or 
