O. CASSANDRA. 



Ornithoptera Cassandra, Scott, Trans. Ent. Soc. New South Wales, I. p. 131. t. 10 (1866) ; II. p. 49 (1869). 

 „ „ Scott, p. 517. ; 



Papilio Cassandra, Butler, in Brenchley's Cruise of the Curacoa, p. 474, t. 50. (1873). 



„ „ Kirby, Syn. Cat. Diur. Lepid. p. 517. (1871) Supplement, p. 809. (1877). 



0. Cassandra, Dr. Fickert, Ueber die Zeich. der Gatt. Orn. (in Zoologischen Jahrbiichen p. 701. (1888). 

 „ Mentioned by Sidney Olliff, Austr. Butt. p. 39. (1889). 



The females of this species are probably more variable 

 than those of any of the other forms of Ornithoptera, or 

 its section Priamoptera, especially on the superior wings. 

 The size of the specimens also greatly differs, some being 

 quite as small as those of 0. Richmondia, and closely 

 assimilating in appearance. Indeed it is almost impossi- 

 ble to divest ourselves of the idea that Richmondia is a 

 smaller local Australian form of Cassandra. The 

 disparity in size obtains much more between the males of 

 the species, the amount of colour and mark variation 

 being greatest in the 6* of Richmondia, as it is greatest 

 apparently in the 2 of Cassandra. The disposition of 

 the markings on the fore wings of the 2 of Cassandra is 

 generally the same in all the specimens, though differing 

 so much in size and form ; a considerable amount of 

 assymmetry also obtains. 



The colours of the 5 are generally very sombre, in some 

 specimens almost black ; consequently there is no diffi- 

 culty in distinguishing them from the females of other 

 species. The nearest approach in depth of tint is in the 

 2 2 of P. Crcesus, where there is the same tendency 

 towards the diminution of the spots in some examples. 



As will be seen above a 2 was first described by Scott 

 in 1866, and a figure given, in the New South Wales 

 Ent. Society's Transactions. In consequence of the great 

 amount of variation between the individuals of this sex, 

 it was found advisable to re-describe it, in 1869, in a 

 succeeding vol. of the same work, when the 6* also was 

 fully described. In accordance with my plan, I herewith 

 present these descriptions, first of all. 



" S . 74J lines largest, 67^ smallest, of 9 specimens. 



"Superior wings: Upper surface deep velvety black, 

 relieved by 2 broad irregular curved bands of rich satiny 

 green, which spring from the base ; the one runs under 

 the costa towards the anterior angle ; the other, along the 

 inner margin and the outer margin, as far as the discoidal 

 nervule : immediately over the latter is placed a large 

 brownish patch, disposed longitudinally. Under surface, 

 black, with a central spot, and a large macular band, 

 formed in contiguous wedge-shaped spots, placed between 

 the nervules, of gilded green. The wedge-shaped spots 

 are distinctly separated into 2 divisions by a broad black 

 band. There are, also, 2 irregular greenish streaks 

 towards the centre angle, the inner one being short, 

 almost macular. 



" Inferior wings. Upper surface bright silky green, with 

 the entire marginal border and 4, sometimes, 5 large oval 

 spots, disposed between the costal nervure and the first, 

 or second median nervure, one in each space, velvet 

 black ; between these spots and the posterior border are 

 2, or 3, minute golden green orange specks, which, how- 



ever, are not seen in some of the specimens. The 

 tendency to change also exists in the large quadrate 

 golden coloured space at the immediate basal portion of 

 the anterior margin, shown by some, while in others it is 

 much lessened, or nearly obsolete. Long, fine, closely- 

 set dark brown hairs spring from immediately underneath 

 the inner margin, and rising upwards partially envelops 

 the upper portion of the abdomen. The outlines of the 

 nervures are easily traceable by narrow, but distinct lines 

 of black. Under surface corresponds to the upper, but 

 the green is of a more golden hue ; the black dots, here 7 

 in number, become larger and less oval, and the nervures 

 are broadly picked out with black. 



" Head and thorax deep black, the latter bearing above 

 a central line of satiny green, and below crimson spots 

 on either side. Abdomen bright golden yellow." 



2 . Length 7I inches expanse. Upper surface of rich 

 black brown, relieved by markings, but in a lesser degree 

 than any of its congeners. 



" Primary: With various patches and spots of impure 

 white, principally running obliquely ; 3 are placed in the 

 discoidal cell, 1 on the disc immediately under, between 

 the 2nd and 3rd median nervules ; another, large and 

 distinct, in each of the spaces between the 3rd, 4th, and 

 5th subcostal nervures ; 2 in each space between the 5th 

 subcostal, and 1st and 2nd discoidal nervules ; and a few 

 small and indistinct spots running parallel to the outer 

 margin. Secondaries possess 3 wedge-shaped markings 

 of dusky white, becoming dull ochraceus towards their 

 outer margins, and bearing in their centres large some- 

 what heart-shaped spots of dark brown which unite in the 

 disc with the median nervules. The sub-quadrate patch 

 of the anal angle, and a small triangular shaped one 

 between the 2nd sub-costal and discoidal nervules, are of 

 a dull ochraceus colour, whereas those situated near the 

 anterior angle and between the 1st and 2nd subcostal 

 nervules are of brighter yellow. The antennas, head, 

 neck, and thorax are dark black brown, the latter bearing 

 a short central longitudinal band of metallic green, while 

 the pro-thorax on each side is edged with crimson. The 

 abdomen dark black brown, becoming greenish at the top. 



" Under surface similarly marked to the upper, but the 

 white is purer, and a bright yellow replaces the ochroeus 

 tint : the margins of the large wedge-shaped patches are 

 also here entire. Each side of the thorax is clothed with 

 hairs of a bright carmine, and the abdomen broadly 

 barred with yellow. Port Denison." 



[The figure generally agrees closely with one of the 

 specimens in the British Museum.] 



