The general resemblance of this species with _Papilio Jairus_ of Fabricius is so great, that it might pa.s.s on a cursory view as a mere variety, did not the form of the anterior wings at once point out the difference. In the present insect the posterior and exterior margins are of equal length, giving a narrow appearance to the wings, much resembling some of the true _Papilionidae_; but in _P. Jairus_, these wings are much broader, more obtuse, and the length of the posterior margin much greater; other minor differences exist in the colouring and markings. My valued friend A. H.
Haworth, Esq., F.L.S., &c. possesses a fine pair of the true _P. Jairus_ in his rich and extensive collection; and the liberality with which it is constantly and freely opened to me, deserves my warmest thanks.
From these two species I have formed the present genus, the characters of which will distinguish it from that of _Haetera_ (Fabr.), a scanty genus confined to South America; and this seems to occupy its place in India: both will come in the natural family of _Hipparchidae_. Only one specimen (a male) exists in Dr. Horsfield"s collections; I could not therefore dissect the mouth, &c. On the inner borders of the inferior wings is a lengthened tuft of fine hairs: the _a.n.u.s_ beneath has on each side an obtuse lengthened process, partially attached, and which appears to supply the place of the lateral valves. It is represented on a sprig of
GaeRTNERA _racemosa_,
which, although differing slightly from the figure of Dr. Roxburgh"s Coromandel Plants, p. 19. t. 18, Dr. Horsfield considers as the same plant.
The Javanese name is _Kakas_.
Pl. 12
[Ill.u.s.tration]
GOBIUS Suerii.
_Suerian Goby._
GENERIC CHARACTER.
_Caput parvum. Oculi approximati. Pinnae dorsales duae, radiis flexilibus: ventrales conjunctae, infundibuliformes. Branchiarum apertura contracta, membrana 4-radiata._
Typus Genericus _Gobius niger_. Pennant.
Head small. Eyes approximating. Dorsal fins two, the rays flexible.
Ventral fins united into the form of a funnel. Gill aperture contracted, the membrane four-rayed.
Generic Type _Gobius niger_. Pennant.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
_G. olivaceus, cauda atro-purpurea. Capite, operculis, pinna dorsali et caudali longitudinaliter flavo-lineatis._
Olivaceous Goby. Tail obscure purple. Head, gills, dorsal and caudal fins with yellow longitudinal lines.
Gobius Suerii. _Risso Icth. p._ 387. _pl._ 11. _fig._ 43.
This beautiful little fish never exceeds the size here represented. It is not uncommon on the coast of Sicily in the spring months: it has likewise been discovered on the sh.o.r.es of Nice by Risso, who is its first describer: his figure, however, is so remarkably bad, that it would be impossible to recognise it but for his description: in fact, the fish is so delicate, that unless the fins are very carefully expanded in water their form and colouring will never be seen correctly. It has been named after M. C. A. Le Sueur (who accompanied Peron in the French circ.u.mnavigation), an able zoologist and most inimitable draftsman and engraver.
General colour pale olivaceous yellow, with a few obscure large spots along the body somewhat brighter. The head has four yellow oblique bands, between which, and behind the eye, is a bright blue spot. Ventral fins blackish.
The first dorsal fin is trigonal, and has the third ray lengthened and longest; the three last rays tipt with deep-black; the second fin is lengthened, broadest at the end, the membrane greyish-white with narrow longitudinal lines of yellow. Caudal fin lanceolate, pointed, blackish-purple, margined and marked with yellow lines parallel with the borders. Pectoral fin ovately rounded, with faint yellow transverse bands.
a.n.a.l fin resembling the second dorsal, greyish, with the margin dull-purple. Scales large, very deciduous; lateral line invisible; lower jaw longest; teeth minute. Body and fins semi-transparent. The first dorsal fin has seven rays; the second fifteen; a.n.a.l fifteen; pectoral twelve; caudal seventeen; ventral fourteen.
Pl. 13
[Ill.u.s.tration]
PLATYRHYNCHUS Ceylonensis.
_Ceylonese Flat-bill._
GENERIC CHARACTER.
_Rostrum breve, r.e.c.t.u.m, depressissimum, ferme trigonum; mandibula superiore ad apicem abrupte adunca, emarginata; inferiore recta, breviore; marginibus superioris inferiorem superplicantibus. Os et Nares longis rigidis vibrissis obtectae. Nares, mediae inter apicem et hiatum rostri. Cauda plerumque aequalis, rectricibus duodecim. Pedes et Tarsi breves, graciles._
Typi Generici. Div. I. _Todus Platyrhynchos._ Gm. Div. II. _Muscicapa barbata._ Lath.
Bill short, straight, thin, very depressed, and nearly triangular; the upper mandible abruptly hooked at the tip, and notched; the margins folding over those of the under mandible, which is straight and shorter. Mouth and nostrils defended by long stiff bristles. Nostrils medial between the tip and gape of the bill. Tail mostly even, of twelve feathers. Legs and toes short, slender.
Generic Types. Div. I. _Todus Platyrhynchos._ Gm. Div. II. _Muscicapa barbata._ Lath.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
_P. olivaceus, subtus flavus; capite mentoque cinereis._
Olivaceous Flat-bill, beneath yellow. Head and chin cinereous.
The sober tints of this little bird accord more with those of Europe than of India, of which country however it is a native, having been sent from Ceylon to the British Museum: it is the only one I have yet seen, and appears. .h.i.therto undescribed.
The stiff bristles at the corner of the mouth are nearly the length of the bill, which is quite flattened: the tail is even, and the whole bird in every respect but colour closely resembles the bearded Flycatcher (_Musc.
barbata_ Lath.).
Cuvier and other modern zoologists have done much in distributing the Linnaean _Muscicapae_ into their natural families; but as we are acquainted with a great number from descriptions only, the arrangement is by no means perfect.
The generic characters now given of the genus _Platyrhynchos_ (very slightly noticed by Vieillot) will be found perfectly applicable to the separate divisions here formed; the first comprising the _Todus Platyrhynchos_ of Gmelin, and a few others having the bill larger and more dilated than the second division, which includes the present species, together with _M. barbata_, _caerulea_, _cuneata_, and no doubt many others.
The construction of the bill in all these birds will be found precisely the same, though more or less developed in each division, and even in the species; it thus becomes impossible to draw the line of demarcation without refining too much on generic distinctions. Their bills, although so broad, are by no means stout; thus enabling them to prey with greater readiness on the _Lepidoptera_ and other large winged insects with soft bodies; while the long stiff bristles at the base of the bill seem intended to confine the resistance their prey would otherwise make by their wings. The ill.u.s.trious Cuvier has well observed, that the true Flycatchers have the bill longer, narrowed, less compressed, and the tip but slightly bent.
Pl. 14