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Papilio troilus troilus [LSUK] "The label is interpreted to read "P. of Rock," with a date of March. As a result of working with J. E. Smith's manuscripts, I have come to recognize some of his writing habits. The small notation that looks like a "p" is actually "ss" and "Rock" is supertended by "m". Thus, the label actually reads "Marchss. of Rockm.," which is a reference to the source of the specimen, Mary Watson-Wentworth, Marchioness of Rockingham (c.1735-1804). She was a good friend of J. E. Smith, who often visited her. Her husband was the famous Charles Watson-Wentworth, Marquess of Rockingham (1730-1782), who served as the Prime Minister of Great Britain. Although Mary gave insect specimens to Smith, she was most interested in botany, as was Smith. Smith dedicated some plates in his botanical works to Mary." -- John V. Calhoun See this specimen page and interactively explore high resolution image in the Linnean Collections database. Any use of this image, except for personal study, requires prior written consent of the Linnean Society of London |