414 THE HELICOP1S. 



perfect form. As may be seen from the illustration, the shape of the pupa is very remarkable, 

 reminding the observer of an ancient joustiug-helmet with the visor down. 



The two beautiful insects, known under the terms Het&ra piera and Hetcera dracontis, are 

 examples of the family Satyridfe. Both these creatures, unlike as they appear to be, belong 

 to the same genus. The Hetcera piera bears a wonderful resemblance to the transparent 

 heliconia. Its wings are delicately transparent, and with the slightest imaginable tinge of 

 yellow. On the lower wings there is a blush of orange-red, and the marks are darkish 

 brown. 



The Hetcera dracontis is a delicately marked, though not brilliant insect. The upper 

 wings are very soft brown, traversed by a band of a grayish hue, and with a very slight tinge 

 of chocolate. The lower wings are also brown, but with a faint wash of blue, and the light 

 marks are azure. On the under side it is wholly brown, with two round spots of black edged 

 with buff, and two or three whitish blotches. 



THE family of the Erycinidse comes next in order, and, as may be seen from the specimens 

 upon the colored illustration, embraces insects of very differing forms and colors. The 

 strange-looking insect, Zeonia Batesii, derives its name from Mr. Bates, who discovered it. 



The white portions of the wings are membranous and transparent, and the dark portions 

 are nearly all black, except that the base of the projecting portions of the lower wings is deep 

 blue. The light-colored bar is rich scarlet. This specimen represents a male ; the hinder 

 wings of the female are closer together, and the tails are nearly straight. 



A SMALL but elegant butterfly is the Calydna calamita. The upper surface of this insect 

 is black, diversified with numerous blue and white spots. Below, the ground color is brown, 

 spotted profusely with black and white, and having some short transverse lines of yellow. 

 This insect inhabits the regions about the Amazon. 



A butterfly called Eurygone opalina is of simple but extremely beautiful coloring. 

 Unless held in a favorable light, the insect seems to be of a simple orange color, but if 

 held with its head towards the observer's eyes, and the sun being behind his back, its 

 wings glow with a golden effulgence that surpasses all power of description. As the insect 

 is gently turned or held so as to communicate a quivering motion, all the tints of the 

 rainbow play over the trembling wings, and the glory reflected from its surface is almost 

 intolerable to the eye. As is the case with all the butterflies, this insect is represented of its 

 natural size. 



ON the illustration at page 405, two more examples of this family may be seen. The first 

 is placed in the centre of the left-hand side, and immediately under the tip of the left wing of 

 the great Thoas butterfly. This is the Helicopis cupido, an insect which, if only viewed on its 

 upper surface, seems, except for the long and slender projections of the hinder wings, to be 

 hardly worthy of much observation, the color being pale and dull brown, changing to pale 

 rusty -red towards the base of the wings, and having a rather large whitish spot in the centre 

 of the upper wings. But on turning it over, so as to bring the under surface into view, it 

 proves to be a really wonderful insect. The upper wings have little remarkable about them, 

 their color being brown, becoming paler towards the edge, and having a sharply defined 

 whitish-yellow mark in the centre. But it is on the lower wings that the chief interest is 

 concentrated. On a ground of ochreous-yellow are a number of large spots which look 

 exactly as if they were made of gold-leaf artificially affixed to the wings, the resemblance being 

 so close, that without the aid of a magnifier which shows their real structure, a person who 

 had seen them for the first time might well imagine that they had been veritable pieces of 

 gold-leaf, and fastened to the wing by cement. This butterfly is a native of Demerara, while 

 the Misipsa inhabits the regions about the Amazon. It may be seen in the left-hand lower 

 corner of the same engraving. The color of this pretty little insect is silvery blue, over which 

 are drawn a number of black bands, thus producing a very bold effect. The under surface is 

 simply light brown, with some bands of a darker hue. 



