INSECT VARIETY. 81 



Colours, assimilating in hues the tree- trunks on which they are 

 fond of alighting. In all orders species occur where the pro- 

 tected portions of the wings and body assume leaf-like shapes, 

 and of this the raptorial Orthoptera, and Indian butterflies of 

 the genus Kalllna, whosa under-surface resembles brown paper, 

 are familiar examples. These pendants of phanerogamic vegeta- 

 tion are also certainly sufficiently omnipresent to come in the 

 wa}^ of any vagrant insect traversing the earth or air; but 

 should it be desirable to realise the deceptive excellency of the 

 wide-spread lichen, moss, and carpet patterns, one has but to 

 stroll the woods among the primroses and violets of spring, when 

 this realm of terrestrial Thallogens is laid bare in hoary grandeur, 

 audits frost-work will be then noticed everywhere, bearding the bare 

 soil and torpid tree-trunks, like seaweed whence a tide has ebbed. 

 From constantly observing insects reposing on the surfaces 

 that resemble most their colourisation, we intuitively perceive 

 such must exert a constant attraction for their ocular organs, 

 and that kinds resembling one another in tint should flock 

 together, a law which also appears to explain why mimetic 

 species of diverse orders are often noticed flying on the same 

 spot, as Hover Flies with bumbles or other bees they imitate. 

 Cases, too, may occur in which the strictly protective hues 

 serve to bring the sexes together. A male of a Small White 

 Butterfly who had been eluded by a female he was fluttering- 

 about in a hedge, I observed visiting the dry leaves of an'" 

 Mrysimum, which, as will be found, nearly match the speciflc 

 protective colour beneath the hind wings ; and the female of the ' 

 Green Hair Streak closes her wings, exhibiting the bright in- 

 ferior green, when found by a male. It may also be remarked 

 the spots and lines beneath the wings of butterflies, and on the' 

 primaries of moths, sometimes take a metallic glitter, like the 

 scales of flsh, or nacre, conspicuous in obscurity. The following' 

 genera will afford examples : — 



Butterflies. Moths. 



Silvery streaks f Antliocharis. f - • 



or spots J Arg-vnnis. ] Xylina. 



1 Megalura. ] ^j^^;;^ ^.^^^ 



V. Charaxes Cinadon. ( ^^ 

 Gold streaks / -p, ■ r / Plusia. 



or spots. [ ' ■ \ Argyiesthia. 



