LORQUINIA 
7 
North American Lepidoptera, the first since 1903, contains over 400 
pages of names and a very carefully prepared index. There are over 
8000 species, with many varieties, forms, etc. The most marked and 
radical changes are to be found among the Papilionoidea (butterflies), 
in fact the nomenclature is turned upside down. Then there are 
numerous changes in the conception of the California species, due to 
the study of Boisduval's types. It is to be hoped that the new 
arrangement will meet with general favor and use, but it can be 
hardly expected in certain quarters. 
The Contributions to the Natural History of the Lepidoptera of 
North America, now in its third volume, is very valuable ; Number 2, 
issued last December, containing the most careful and critical notes 
on the changes of names of many of our butterflies that has ever been 
done. Then the beautiful photographic illustrations are additional 
valuable features. Students should stop bickering over various mat- 
ters now and take these results as the starting point for new work. 
The classification of the North American Butterflies has long been in 
a worse state than that of any other group of insects or of plants or 
animals even. It is to be hoped that this condition will be speedily 
changed through the careful work of Barnes and McDunno'ugli. 
Fordyce: Grinne:ll, Jr. 
THE LIFE HISTORY OF A SWALLOWTAIL BUTTERFLY 
(Papilio zolicaon Boisduval) 
The following observations were made by the author in the sum- 
mer months of 1916, and are given as put down daily in his notes. 
The description of the larva is given as it appeared to the naked eye 
during its growth. 
July 28 , 10:15 A. M., I saw a swallowtail butterfly {Papilio 
zolicaon Boisduval) hovering over a vacant lot at Tenth and Valencia 
streets. I tried to capture it, when it dodged and rested for a mo- 
ment on a small Anise plant (Foeniculum foeniculum' (L.) Karst.) 
and then flew away. On coming near I found an egg on one of the 
ramifications. It was yellowish green, a perfect sphere about 1 mm. 
in diameter, and was stuck to the little leaf where it could be easily 
distinguished against the darker green of the leaf. 
July 31, 8 A. M. The egg now has a brown line all around it 
and a brown spot on the upper apex. 
Aug. 2, 10 A. M. The larva has hatched. It is 2 mm. long, 
purplish with a whitish spot in the middle of the back. It is covered 
with hair-like points. No eggshell is visible, the fore part of the 
larva is much thicker than the posterior. 
Aug. 3, 10:15 A. M. Larva has increased to 3 mm. long. 
Aug. 4, 12 :35 P. M. Larva has mcreased to 4 mm. long. 
Aug. 5, 9 A. M. Larva has increased to 4^ mm. long. 
