2 PLATE LXXIIL 



We have feveral fpecies of the Papilio tribe, which are highly 

 valued in England either for their beauty or fcarcity ; the P. La- 

 thonia is little, if by any means, inferior to the moft beautiful j and as 

 a rare Infect is efteemed an invaluable acquifition. 



The upper fide is only a plain orange or brown colour, with fpots 

 of ftrong black, and does not in general appearance differ materially 

 from the greafy Fritillary Butterfly, which is very common in moft 

 fituations; but the underfide is entirely unlike every other Englifli 

 Infect : the bright filver fplafhes on the under wings are fingular in 

 their form, and fo beautifully relieved by the orange ground colour, 

 and variegation of black between, as to form a delightful contraft of 

 the moft pleafing colours. 



Whether this fpecies was originally a native of this country, may 

 be doubtful; we certainly have the moft refpe&able teftimonies of its 

 being taken alive in different parts of the kingdom, but it might have 

 been introduced by accident in the larva, or more probably in the 

 pupa ftate : it has been feen at Bath \ and either Mofes Harris, or 

 fome of his friends, bred it from the caterpillar. " Queen of Spain 

 Fritillaria changed into chryfalis April, appeared in the winged ftate 

 May loth. — Gambling Gay zvosd, near Cambridge." 



It has alfo been taken near London ; Mr. Honey, of Union-Jlreet, 

 in the Borough, took one a few years fince in his garden, I requefted 

 the favour of whatever information he could communicate reflecting 

 this circumftance, and received a note with thefe words : — 



« September 9th, 1785.—I took the Queen of Spain Butterfly in 

 my garden. (Signed) Wii. Honey." 



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