S-1141001_COMPLETO.pdf

PURPLE EMPEROR.
that the neighbouring locality affords him. There he sits,
generally with his attention directed outwards, as an Island
King's should be, conscious that at home he is secure. If a
rival approaches, a fight is of course the consequence—'Pares
cum Paribus;' and "O 'tis a goodly sight to see!"
The caterpillar is to be found at the end of May.
It feeds on the broad-leaved sallow.
The wings expand to the Avidth of from tAvo inches and
three quarters to three and a quarter. The fore wings are of
a blackish hue, with a most splendid purple iridescent colour
apparent in a proper light. In the middle and towards the
outer margin at the tip, are three series of white spots, two,
five, and tAvo, the inner ones conjoined forming the waved
upper end of a bar which runs nearly across the hind wings.
In these wings the same splendid purple colour is observable,
though scarcely so objectively; in some lights they too are dull
"lack-lustre" black. A fulvous line follows the margin, and
within its outer corner is a small obscure fulvous spot. Near
the lower corner is a fine eye—a black pupil Avith a light centre
and an orange rim—and outside it some fine fulvous marks.
Underneath, the fore wings are varied with silvery greyish
white, grey, orange, fulvous, and black, a white band, formed
of interrupted spots, running irregularly across them, behind
which is a black eye, with a lilac-coloured centre, surrounded
by a broad orange circle, in which are two white spots. The
hind wings are grey, Avith a broad silvery greyish white bar
across them, tapering toAvards the corner, with a broad ferru­
ginous adjoining band on each side, but much the least distinct
on the inner. The corner is also ferruginous, and above it is
a black eyelet, Avith a lilac-coloured pupil and orange centre.
The wings of the female are of a general blackish brown
ground colour, and the markings the same as in the male.
The larger of the measurements given above are hers.
The caterpillar is green, with pale yellow oblique lines.
The chrysalis is of a pale green colour.
The plate is from a specimen in my cabinet—the one cap­
tured by the Rev. William Bree.
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