Title

The great South Sea caterpillar, transformed into a Bath Butterfly.

Author

Butler, Roger

Source

[Not applicable]

Publication date

2001

Type

About the work

Language

English

Country of context

Australia

Full text

The great South Sea caterpillar, transformed into a Bath Butterfly.
by Roger Butler

“Description of the New Bath Butterfly – taken from the Philosophical Transactions for 1795 – ‘This insect first crawl’d into notice from among the Weeds & Mud on the Banks of the South Sea; & being afterwards placed in a Warm Situation by the Royal Society, was changed by the heat of the Sun into its present form — it is notic’d & Valued Solely on account of the beautiful Red which encircles its Body, &  the Shining Spot on its Breast; a Distinction which never fails to render Caterpillars valuable”. [engraved text]

The young Sir Joseph Banks (1743-1820), inherited a fortune on the death of his father in 1843, and devoted the rest of his life to scientific pursuits. He paid for his passage on Captain James Cook’s first epic voyage to the Pacific (1768-71), and the collections he made during the voyage firmly establishing his reputation in the world of science.

Banks was a great favourite with King George III and through his influence he was elected President of the Royal Society in 1788 which Wright and Evans note was “... a place which some thought might have been filled more worthily.... The King’s interference in appointments connected with science and art was common subject of disapprobation”.

This caricature of Banks was produced in 1795 when he was made Order of the Bath. Gillray depicts Banks emerging from a chrysalis into a butterfly, decorated with the ribbon and jewel of the Order of Bath, which is decorated with three insects rather than crowns. Gillray insinuates that it was the sunshine of royalty that was responsible for Banks metamorphosis.

© Roger Butler, 2001.

Last Updated

26 Oct 2023