CARNIVOROUS BUTTERFLIES CLARK 463 



It is soon seen that the white appearance of the fore wing is caused 

 by a dense covering of fugitive scales ; there is also a small patch oi 

 these on either side of the thorax. As the wings slowly lengthen 

 the density of the scales lessens sufficiently to admit a view of the 

 black and rich yellow coloring undeimeath. 



After the expansion of the wings these white scales fly oif at the 

 least breath of air. A stroke or two of the insect's wing detaches 

 every one in a cloud; thus it is a difficult matter to kill and set 

 specimens and leave a fair proportion of these scales. 



The matter on the abdomen is, of course, also composed of scales. 

 They are dark gray, packed very densely, and cover about half 

 the ventral surface, reach farther along the sides, but do not reach 

 the thorax, none being on the upper surface. These are much more 

 adhesive, and must be scraped away as they can not be blown off; 

 they come away in masses and fasten lightly to anything they come 

 jn contact with; they appear to be held together. Upon examining 

 them with a lens exceedingly delicate threads can be discerned dis- 

 persed throughout. 



The legs and antennae are also clothed with minute and easily 

 detachable white scales. 



The insect requires longer than the largest Australian moths to 

 pump its wings to their full length. Mr. Dodd notes that it takes 

 from 25 to 30 minutes, and instead of being prepared for flight in 

 a little over an hour, like many large moths, is quite helpless for a 

 much longer period, and none of Mr. Dodd's examples exhibited 

 the least desire to fly in three or even four hours. 



The butterflies are very oily, A thick layer of almost liquid 

 grease lines the abdomen, so that in setting them ISIr. Dodd found 

 it necessary to resort to stuffing. Unfortunately, this operation 

 causes displacement of the extra scales to some extent, especially 

 in the males. 



As to the butterfly being crepuscular in its habits, Mr. Dodd 

 mentions that he is frequently out in the twilight, but has not met 

 with it, though that may be on account of its rarity. However, it 

 is decidedly wide awake in the daytime. Mr. Dodd captured several 

 which he had disturbed as any ordinary butterfly would be dis- 

 turbed. Several times they have flown from near ant nests which 

 he was about to examine. One specimen was seen flying across an 

 open space in the early afternoon, and had evidently come from a 

 fair distance as there were no ant nests in the vicinity. Many years 

 ago he caught his first specimen, a female, on a hot summer day at 

 about 11 o'clock. It flew rapidly across a scrub and settled on a 

 branch under the foliage precisely as the egg-depositing female did 

 which he observed in July, 1900. 



