1882.] 27 



and salmon colour, is common in the denser parts of the woods. The $ is closely- 

 mimicked by the day-flying Bombyx, related to Hypercompa, &c., which although 

 smaller, is wonderfully like it on the wing, and frequents the same places. As for 

 the Skippers, their name is legion, they seem absolutely endless, and I used to get 

 two or three fresh species almost every day I went collecting. I have at least 50 

 species of all sizes, from half an inch to nearly two inches in expanse : a large 

 proportion of them are plain brown, with a more or less distinct curved transverse 

 band of white, yellow, or hyaline spots on the fore-wings : but some of them are 

 very handsome insects, especially those of the genus Fyrrhopyga (blue-black with 

 crimson collar and tail, and white fringes). Some of the genus Thymele are 

 furnished with very long tails to the hind-wings, of different lengths in the two 

 sexes : others are brilliantly glossed with blue, notably a common species of 

 Nisoniades, about the size of our N. Tages : while others again are as dull and 

 sombre in appearance as the aforesaid "Dingy Skipper." The moths appeared to be 

 fairly numerous in species, but there were few large or showy ones : a great Erebus, 

 six or seven inches in expanse of wings, was not rare on trimks, and was once or 

 twice caught on board the ship, but was not easy to obtain in good condition. 



The ship went over to the island of Taboga, nine miles from Panama, for six 

 days (October 28th to November 2nd), to coal and give leave to the crew. This is 

 a most beautiful and picturesque little island, and as good as, or even better than 

 Panama as a locality for insects. During the six days I took 80 species of butter- 

 flies, 18 of which I never saw on the mainland. Among these I may mention a 

 pretty black and white insect, not unlike our "White Admiral" in appearance and 

 habits : a grand green and black Nymphalid, of the genus Prepona, a Chalyhe 1 like 

 a very large stout Thecla, mostly light bright blue above, the under-side being of the 

 richest metallic green, barred with black and mahogany-red ; the hind-wings each 

 bearing two long tails : this is one of the most beautiful insects I have ever seen. 

 There were also some nice ErycinidcB and skippers, and three very beautiful fresh 

 Papilios, one being especially handsome, its colour being velvety-black with white 

 spotted fringes, a large spot of most brilliant emerald-green on the fore-wings, and 

 a small crimson spot near the inner margin of the hind-wings, the inner marginal 

 fold of hind-wings being filled with very long dense ashy-white hair. Among the 

 beetles, I was much pleased to get a fine specimen of the huge JBuprestis Goliath, 

 which was brought to me by one of the sailors. 



We left on November 25th, for Callao : and despite heat, mud, tropical showers, 

 mosquitoes, ticks, and other small annoyances, there are few places from which I 

 carry away so many pleasant recollections, as I do from Panama. Callao was 

 reached on the 6th December, the weather was again fine and pleasant, but I found 

 very little to do in the way of collecting, still, a few interesting additions occurred, 

 notably a fine black and yellow Papilio related to P. Thoas : this was rare in the 

 perfect state, but I was lucky enough to find the larva in plenty on a small patch of 

 parsnips, and have reared a fine series. I also got a very fine hawk-moth, something 

 like a very large Sphinx convolvidi, but seven inches in expanse of wings, on board 

 the ship : also the beautiful moth ISoropsis fastuosa, which is figured in one of the 

 early numbers of the Ent. Mo. Mag., from a specimen taken in England. Among 

 the Coleoptera, I found a very fine long-legged pale brown Lamellicorn, with large 

 horns on the head and thorax of the male, which sex attains the length of two 



