26 
PAPILIO MARCHANDII. 
extending from costal margin downwards a short distance beyond the median nervure ; the 
second extends from costa to median nervure, from thence it narrows and runs along the third 
median nervule till it joins the broad marginal band; the third covers the disco-cellular ner- 
vules and is broad at costa, but diminishes to a point at the junction of the median nervure 
and second discoidal nervule, where it also connects with the marginal band ; within the latter 
is a row of eight orange colored spots, the five nearest to costa oval, the others slightly 
lunulate. 
Secondaries have a broad black marginal band, covering half the area of the wing, and 
containing a sub-marginal row of four orange spots between the outer angle and third 
median nervule, and three white crescents between third median nervule and anal angle; 
inner margin of wing black ; a small orange anal spot ; tails slender, inch long, with outer 
half black and inner half orange. 
o 
Tnder surface yellowish, paler than above; primaries have the markings of upper sur- 
face reproduced, but pale brown instead of black ; the sub-marginal spots are connected, form- 
ing a band. 
Secondaries with black marginal band, within which the yellow and white spots are dis- 
posed as on superior surface, with the addition of a narrow yellow bar interior to the sub- 
marginal spots, and extending from costa to radial nervure ; a black basal stripe which extends 
along near the inner margin of wing; this portion and that interior to and joining the 
marginal band is tinged with fulvous. 
Habitat. Costa Rica, Panama, Honduras. 
Dr. Boisduval first described this insect from examples in Mus. of M. Marchand, to whom 
he dedicated the species. 
The specimen from which I made the drawing was given me by my old entomological 
friend, Mr. H. Sachs, of New York, in whose collection are several fine examples ; it belongs 
to the same group as P. Calliste, and is as graceful and beautiful as an emanation from some 
Fairy Isle. 
I have never looked at this lovely thing, with its delicate form and brilliant hue, with- 
out my thoughts reverting to the long past builders of the temples and altars of Palenque and 
Copan, the butterfly flitted through the tropical groves in their day, as now, but the inhabitants 
of the old dead cities have passed away, their names, their history unknown ! birds, reptiles 
and insects now alone tenant the forest where once stood the populous cities, the kings and 
priests of which, with their slaves and sycophants, long ages ago have gone to rest; naught 
remains of their past greatness but the moss-coated and time-worn ruins of altar and idol, and 
the frail, golden butterfly hovers, suspended in mid air, over the monster face of some fallen 
Dagon, which far back beyond even “the night of time/’ received its meed of human sacrifice ; 
in imagination, we can see the temples restored, the long trains of devotees, all the parapher- 
nalia ot pagan worship, we can hear the sound of music, the shrieks of the agonized prisoner 
about to be offered as a propitiation to some monstrous conception of barbaric superstition ; 
but all now is hushed ; priest, cacique and victim, alike, are gone, fallen are the idols, giant 
trees grasp with their roots the ruins ot the temples, and creeping vines and gorgeous flowers 
mingle with the sculpture of the marvelous shrines; scarce a sound is heard save the rustling 
of some snake gliding stealthily to his hole, or shimmering lizard running over leaf or twig; 
from these thoughts we turn to others more sad; it seems almost incredible that a great 
