540 



INSECTS ABROAD. 



feather being either altogether missing or tuclced under its neigh- 

 bours. The lower wings are mostly green, with a decided golden 

 gloss, and on the inner edge they have a fringe of very long, pale 

 brown, soft hairs, which are, in fact, nothing but lengthened 

 scales. 



The under .surface, as shown in the second illustration, is also 

 green and black, the former colour taking a blue tint in the 

 middle of the wing. The abdomen is bright "king's" yellow, 

 looking just as if it had been painted in body colour. The thorax 



FiG. 291. — Papilio prouomus. M; 

 (Black ,in<l green.) 



is velvet black, but upon e.ach shoulder there is a large tuft of 

 brilliant crimson hairs, that produce a wonderfully fine contrast 

 with the black and green of the wings. 



The third figure represents the under surface of the female, 

 and the reader can easily see how the two sexes can be mistaken 

 for different species. The female is very much larger than her 

 mate, and coloured after a totally different fashion. The wings 

 are mostly black, but not of the rich velvet-like hue which dis- 



