552 



INSECTS ABROAD. 



light, and turned slowly round, its real splendour shows itself. 

 The crimson spots retain their colour, but the apparent black 

 background glows with the richest imaginable purple, which 

 merges gradually at the base into deep azure, this colour passing 

 over the wing as the insect is turned about. About the middle 

 of the wing, and just above the crimson spots, the blue takes a 

 decided green gloss. The best view of this species is obtained 

 when the head is turned towards the light. 



So much for the upper surface. Below, the upper pair of 

 wings are sooty black, with one white spot. The under wings 

 are also black, but have a row of crimson spots across the centre. 

 The body is black, adorned with spots of the same crimson as 

 that of the wings. This splendid insect is a native of Para. 



In the case of the insect which is next shown no classical 

 o])pellation has been given, but the specific name is expressive 



v-^'^k/k^i'.:/,n„>!/^~- 



Fir, 302 — Papilio Erythalion. 

 (131 ipk, ciiiiison, and white.) 



of its appearance. Tlie name Erythalion is formed from two 

 Greek words, one signifying " red," and the other " a blossom." 

 This name has been given because the broad crimson band that 

 crosses the under wings of the male looks somewhat like the 

 petals of a crimson flower. 



