38 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST, 



penncz. His published description first appeared in the October number 

 of the Can. Ent., nearly five months after the publication of " my synop- 

 tic tables," as previously pointed out by me, and the points claimed by 

 him are v/ithout value. 



In order to close a controversy that has already assumed an incon- 

 sistent warmth, I now propose for Mr. Howard's genus the name Chryso- 

 platycerus, and the species may in future be known as Chrysoplatycerus 

 splendens Howard. 



CORRESPONDENCE. 



A FLOCK OF BUTTERFLIES. 



Dear Sir: While in the interior of New Guinea, in Aug., 1883, I 

 observed what might properly be called a flock of butterflies. They were 

 apparently of one species* (of a dark brown color, with a blue reflection 

 on the fore wings in a certain light), and in such great numbers as to 

 actually blacken the green bushes on which they lit. I first came across 

 them one day, while out after birds, in a thick and shaded part of the 

 tall forest, in low land adjoining the Laloki river. Being so numerous, I 

 supposed it would be an easy matter to catch all I desired without the 

 aid of a net, but after several unsuccessful attempts, in which case they 

 would rise in a cloud and settle again in a few moments on the bushes 

 close at hand, I was obliged to give it up. They did not seem to be very 

 much disturbed at my approach, but would not, however, allow me to get 

 very near without taking flight. As soon as I remained still, they would 

 immediately settle on bushes and foliage close by, but always out of 

 reach The flock was, perhaps, two acres in extent, but the butterflies 

 were not equally numerous over this entire area. In some places every 

 bush, branch, twig and leaf seemed to be covered with them, while in others 

 there were comparatively few. What their object was, or how long they 

 remained in that locality, I am unable to say, except that in visiting the 

 place several days afterwards, they were still there in apparently undi- 

 minished numbers. I might add none were seen feeding, and, so far as I 

 observed, there were no flowers in bloom anywhere in the vicinity. 



S. W. Denton, Wellesley, Mass. 



*The name is unknown to me, but I have a specimen of this butterfly which, 

 . if. returned, I will send to any person who is capable and willing to determine it. 



