Antiphates group.
15. Papilio Leosthenes, Db. 16. —— Permatus, G. R. G. (Mal.).
Eurypylus group.
17. Papilio Sarpedon, L. (Mal.). 18. —— Gelon, Bd. (New Caledonia). 19. —— Lycaon, Westw. 20. —— Macleayanus, Leach. 21. —— Scottianus, Feld. (Ash Islands). 22. Eurycus Cressida, Fab.
6. Pacific Islands. 16. Australia.
Catalogue of Malayan Papilionidæ.
Ornithoptera (Boisd.).
Fig. 1.
Anal valves of O. Amphrisius.
The characters in the larva and pupa which have been supposed to distinguish this genus from Papilio are erroneous, or at least do not exist in all the species. My own observations on O. Poseidon show that the larva has no “external sheath” to the thoracic tentacles, and that the suspending thread passes round the pupa, and is not “fastened on each side to a silky tubercle.” There remain therefore only the characters of the perfect insect, the most important of which are the anal valves in the male. These are very large, ovate or rounded, coriaceous, and not hairy, and are furnished with projecting points or spines (sometimes very conspicuous) which serve to attach the male more firmly to the female in copulâ. In several species I have observed, these points or hooks were buried in the protruded anal gland of the female, and thus effectually prevented the great weight of the insects causing them to separate upon suddenly taking flight. The great strength and size of these insects, the thick texture of their wings, their long curved and stout antennæ, their peculiar form, colour, and distribution, are the only other characters that separate them from Papilio. Though these may not perhaps be technically sufficient, I think it advisable and convenient to retain a genus so well known and long established.