by William Swainson

“ A closer affinity therefore between Papilio and Leilus cannot possibly be imagined: while its remarkably hairy front, points out its analogy, as an aberrant type in its own genus, to Chlorisses, among insects, and Dasycephala among birds. So true it is that the natural system "illuminates with a flood of light" every supposed anomaly, and reconciles facts apparently the most inexplicable. ”

“ If the imagination was taxed to invent, or to concentrate into one figure all that was splendid, lovely, or rare in the insect world, Nature would far exceed the poor invention of man by the production of this incomparably splendid creature; its rarity also is so great, that but one specimen has ever been seen: this was brought from China, and in 1773, belonged to a Captain May, of Hammersmith: with whom it was seen by Drury, and drawn by Harris. ”