306 BRITISH LEPIDOPTERA. 



In the cocoon of S. pyri the trap is double ; that of S. pavonia has 

 the commencement of a double trap, but the outer is little more than 

 an opening with ragged edges. [Reaumur's account is given at length, 

 posted pp. 327 — 328.] The tough silk is felted throughout with a 

 hardening material, that of S. pyri cutting like thin horn ; this cement 

 appears to consist of a dark fluid which is poured on the silk, at first 

 rather pale in colour, by the larva, after the cocoon has been largely 

 spun. Details of the variation of the colouring of the cocoons of S. 

 pavonia are given later at length (posted, pp. 329 — 330). 



The exceedingly interesting comparison of the early stages and 

 imaginal habits of the three European species of this genus, made 

 by Standfuss (Handbuch, &c, pp. 104-107), has been already referred 

 to (anted, pp. 300 — 301). 



Sharp observes (Insects, ii., p. 310) that in some lepidoptera, e.g., 

 Saturnia, there appears to be no buccal orifice whatever, and further 

 (p. 313) that a stigma believed to be an imperfect mesothoracic 

 spiracle exists behind the anterior wing of Sahirnia pavonia. Chap- 

 man objects to the doubt implied in this statement, and asserts that 

 the mesothoracic spiracle is always present. Sharp also states (p. 307) 

 that, in Saturnia, on each side of the clypeus, there is a deep pocket 

 projecting into the head cavity. One may here note that the imago 

 of Saturnia pyri has well developed anterior tibial spines, whilst 

 that of- S. pavonia has none. 



Packard asks (P?'oc. Amer. Acad. Arts and Sciences, 1893, p. 58): 

 " Are the species of Saturnia (sens, strict.) — three in Europe and 

 two in the Southwest and Pacific coast of North America, occurring 

 where the Attacinae do not exist at all, or only rarely — the relics 

 of a Saturnian fauna from which the group Attacinae has been 

 eliminated by geological extinction, as the sequoia, cypress, magnolia 

 and other Tertiary plants have been rendered extinct in Europe, 

 or may the view be taken that the Attacinae have never had a 

 foothold in western Eurasia and North America ? " Meyrick notes 

 Saturnia as " a somewhat limited Asiatic genus, extending into 

 Europe and North Africa." 



Saturnia pavonia, Linne. 



Synonymy. — Species : Pavonia, var. a, Linn., " Sys. Nat.," xth ed., p. 

 496 (1758); xiith ed., p. 810 (1767). Pavonia, Linn.. "Faun. Suec," 2nd ed , 

 p. 291 (1761) ; Sulz., " Kennz. d. Ins.," p. 38, pi. xvi., fig. 92 (1761); Mull., 

 "Faun. Frid.," p. 38 (1764); " Zool. Dan.," p. 117 (1776); Fuess , " Neu. 

 Mag.," iii., 2, p. 149 (1786); Cuv., " Tabl. Elem.," p. 594, in part ( 179S) ; 

 Latr., "Gen. Crust.," iv., p. 218 (1809); " Consid.," p. 441 (1810) ; Stphs., 

 "Illus. Haust.," ii., p. 317 (1828); Zett.. "Ins. Lapp.," p. 921 (1840); Boh., 

 "Vet. Ak. Hand].," 1848, pp. 146—147 (1850); Stand., "Cat.," 1st ed., p. 30 

 (1861) ; 2nd ed., p. 70 (1871); 3rd ed., p. 127 (1901); Snelk, " De Vlind.," p. 

 196 (1867); Berce, "Faun. Franc.," ii., p. 207 (1868) ; Nolclc, " Fn. Estl.," i, 

 p. 131 (18C8); Wallgrn., " Skand. Het.," ii., p. 130 (1869) ; Bang-Haas, 

 "Nat. Tids.," (3), ix., p. 410 (1874); Cuni v Mart., "Cat. Lep. Bare.," p. 

 71 (1874); Curd, "Bull. Soc. Ent. Ital.," viii., p. 153 (1876); Spever, " Stett. 

 Ent. Zeitg.," xh, p. 151 (1879); Mina-Pal. and Failla, "Nat. Sic.," vii., p. 

 232 (1888); Auriv., "Nord. Fjar.," p. 66 (1889); Meyr., " Handbook," p. 313 

 (1895). Pavoniella, Scop., "Ent. Cam.," p. 191 bis [ex errore) (1763); Fuess., 

 " Schweiz. Ins.," p. 33 (1775)- Pavonia-minor, Hufn., " Berl. Mag.," ii., pp. 394, 

 428 (1766) ; Fab., "Sys. Ent.," p. 539 (1775) ; "Spec. Ins.," ii., p. 171 (1781); 

 " Mant.," ii., p. no (1787) ; " Ent. Sys.," iii., pi. i., p 416 (1793) ; Fuess., " Neu. 

 Mag.," i., 2, p. 268 (1782) ; Esp., "Eur. Sehmett.," iii., p. 25, pi. iv., figs. 

 1 — 6 (1782); Lang, "Verz.," 2nd ed., p. 81 (1789); Rossi, "Faun. Etr.," pi. 

 ii., j). 168 (1790); Schwarz, " Raup.-Kal.," p. 234 (1791) ; " Beytr.," pi. 



