6 IIUITEHFLY COLLECTOllVS 



(lio motions of its trunk into their nervures, tlieir nnnicrons 

 corrugations and folds gradually yielded to the action, till 

 thejf gained their grt'fitest extent, and the film between all 

 the nervures became tense. The ocelli and spots and bars, 

 which appeared at first as but germs, or rndimcnts of what 

 they were to be, grew with the growing wing, and shone 

 forth upon its complete expansion in full magnitude and 

 beauty." 



Thus, to use the words of Swaniraerdam, we sec a little 

 insignificant creature distinguished in its la-st birth with 

 qualifications and ornaments which man, during his stay 

 upon earth, can never hope to acquire : — a strong proof, that 

 while this animal is raised to its greatest height, we are as 

 yet in this world only candidates for perfection ! 



Papilionaceous insects, in general, soon after thou- en- 

 largement from the chrysalis, and commonly during their 

 first flight, discharge some drojjs of red-coloured fluid, more 

 or less intense in different species. "This circumstance," 

 observes Dr. Shaw, " is peculiarly worthy of attention, from 

 the explanation which it aflbrds of a plienomenon often con- 

 sidered, both in ancient and modem times, in the light of a 

 prodigy: — viz. the descent of red drops from the air, which 

 has been called a shower of blood ; an event recorded by 

 several ^vriter.s, and i>articularly by Ovid, among the pro- 

 digies which took place before the death of Julius Cwsiir. 



" Stepe faces visa vieiliis ardere sub astrie, 

 Siepe inter nimltos guttce cecidere cruentie." 



" With tlireatening signs the lowering .skies were fill'd, 

 And sanguine drops from murky clouds distill'd." 



This highly rational elucidation of a phenomenon, at first 

 view 80 inexi)lica1)lc, seems to have been discovered by the 



• Inlrodilclion to Entomology, vol. iii. P.C92, «93. 



