GRAPTA II. 
Note. — Comma was considered by Dr. Fitch as identical with the European 
C album. He says; “ This species is common to both sides of the Atlantic. Dr. 
Harris regarded our American insect as different from the European and accord- 
ingly named it Comma. He supposed the wings in the former to be more deeply 
indented and that specimens from the two continents could be at once distinguished 
by this mark. But how fallacious this character is will appear from the remark 
of Mr. Westwood, Humphreys’ British Butterflies, page 50, who observes, ‘This 
species is subject to an extraordinary variation in the form of its wings. In some 
specimens the incision in the hind margin of the fore- wings is so deep that it forms 
nearly a semi-circle, whilst in others it is scarcely more than a sextant, the other 
indentations being equally varied.’ The American specimens vary in same man- 
ner. On comparing them on the one hand with the descriptions which European 
authors give of C album, and on the other with the description which Dr. Harris 
gives of Comma, every one must admit that of the two the former is plainly the 
species to which our insect pertains.” 
I have also been assured by both Dr. Staudinger and Mr. Moschler, since the 
publication of my plate of Faunus. that, beyond all question, Faunus is neither 
more or less than C album. 
I thought it well therefore to enclose to Dr. Staudinger a male and female 
Comma from West Virginia and a male Satyrus from the Bocky Mountains, with- 
out names, for his determination. He replies, 5th June, (1871) “As to the three 
individuals of Grapta Faunus, which have arrived in recognisable condition, I do 
not doubt for an instant that they are Grapta ( Papilio ) C album, L., although a 
very little modified so that one might retain the name of Faunus as that of a race 
or variety. The form of your hemisphere is distinguished principally by the hind 
wings being a little less excised and by the border of the wings being blacker ; at 
least to judge by these three individuals, ( which alone I know apart from your fig- 
ures). But this individual from the Rocky Mountains is more unmistakable, and 
approaches our European and Siberian form nearer than the two from West Vir- 
ginia. I repeat that your fauna agrees marvellously with the European.” (The 
italics are mine.) 
Now Faunus on the one hand, and Comma and Satyrus on the otuer, belong 
to distinct sub-groups, the latter being allied to Interrogationis, and it becomes a 
matter of interest to know that one European species exists so similar to both as 
to deceive practiced observers. 
I have taken pains to bring together a number of specimens of the European 
C album, many of which were sent me by Mr. H. W. Bates, expressly to show the 
widest variation, and I have consulted authors within my reach who describe and 
figure the species and its larvae. It certainly is very variable, and bears a resem- 
blance in its several phases to at least these three American species, Comma, 
Faunus, and Satyrus, Edw., (the last not yet figured, but brought from California 
and Bocky Mountains.) C album also exhibits several phases that are not imitated 
by any yet known American species. 
Some individuals are deeply incised and indented after the peculiar manner 
of Faunus, and have much resemblance on both surfaces to that species. (This 
