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205 RHIPHEUS DASYCEPHALUS.

PLATE XXX.

Urania Rhipheus, Var. Cramer, Godart.—Rhipheus Dasycephalus, Swainson, Zool. Illus. Pl. 131.

have copied the accompanying figures from Drury's work on exotic insects, in order that they may be compared with those represented on Plate XXVIII. It will at once be perceived that they present numerous points of agreement, as well as very obvious differences, and when every consideration is taken into account, it is not easy to say whether they ought to be regarded as distinct species, or merely varieties of the same. Drury states that his insect was brought from China, and when the drawing was taken, it was in the possession of Captain May of Hammersmith; in all probability, however, it is now lost. The antennæ are described as black and knobbed at their extremities, and the hinder wings are without tails.

On the supposition that Drury's figures accurately represent the insect as it appeared when alive, the only connexion which it has with Urania arises from the similar distribution of colours and neuration of the wings; in other respects it would be