127 



records Apatura agathina, Craner, sent from Coerientes, and also from Para- 

 guay, in South America, as being accredited with a proclivity for stagnant 

 puddles and wet mud, like its imperial relative here in England. 



In the same volume, Apatura iris is reputed as being less rare than usual 

 in the New Forest, and also in Sussex, the var. Iole being amongst the 

 number taken. 



In the "Entomologist" for 1881, Mr. Sabine writes, "I have taken this 

 season, numerous specimens of Apatura iris in our county of Kent. Amongst 

 them is a large and beautiful example of the black variety Iola. I captured 

 another on the same ground four years ago." 



It was figured by Petiner in 1702, under the name of Oculatus or Mr. 

 Dale's Purple eye. 



Perhaps I cannot conclude this prolonged account of the most noble of 

 our British butterflies, better than by quoting some -of the verses written on 

 Sir Joseph Banks, President of the Royal Society. Peter Pindar, the 

 ingenious author of the poem, introduces Sir Joseph Banks as in pursuit of 

 of butterflies in the following manner : — 



SIR JOSEPH BANKS AND THE EMPEROR OF MOROCCO. 



A President, in butterflies profound, 

 Of whom all Insectmongers sing the praises, 

 Went on a day to catch the game renown'd, 

 On violets, dunghills, nettletops, and daisies. 



But first (so pious is Sir Joseph's nature), 

 He thus address'd the butterfly's Creator : 



" O Thou, whose wisdom plann'd the skies, 

 And formed the wings of butterflies, 

 Attend my humble prayer ! " 



# # * % 



In rush'd Sir Joseph at the garden door, 



Knock'd down the gard'ner, what could man do more, 



And not content with feats like these, 



He stumbl'd o'er a hive of bees, 



Out came the swarm, wondering what 



Had brought destruction to their very doors, 



# * # * 



" He's gone ! he's gone ! " Sir Joseph cried, 

 " Whose gone ?" the gard'ner enquired, 

 " The Emperor, I see him no more ! " 



