Leaf-Butterflies. 



281 



take up positions in the lonj;', narrow crevices of the bark, and ultiniatt-ly kill the 

 tree. One of the species whose wax-secretions take a more solid form is Xewstead's 

 scale, ^ in which the covering is a number oi curved plates of pure white wax 

 standing out all around. In a related species- there are curved plates on each 

 side, and behind them is a row of almost straight plates. This is the adult female 

 as represented in our photograph. Another photograph shows the younger 

 condition of the Insect, before the execution of wax has begun. 



One remarkable species of these scale-Insects, though it can scarcely be included 

 among useful Insects, has a certain small commercial value, because it is made up 

 into necklaces. These are known as margarodes or ground pearls, and consist of 

 the female of a South African species,-^ \\hich attacks the roots of certain trees. 

 They are believed locally to be ants' eggs, 

 but consist of the females in the chrysalis 

 stage encysted in a pearly, yellowish-brown 

 cell, which is made up of several layers 

 of a substance resembling lac, but which 

 is said to be thin chitin. A string of these 

 in our possession (see page 280) shows 

 various gradations of colour from a clear 

 \"ello\\- to brown. 



Leaf -Butterflies. 



Among the butterflies of other coun- 

 tries that may be said to be known to 

 the man in the street at home, is one of 

 the leaf-butterflies that is a native of 

 India.'' The feature that has arrested 

 ])ublic attention in this case is the striking 

 resemblance to a leaf that is afforded b\' 

 the under side of the wings when they are 

 I rected in a state of rest. As often 

 mounted by the natural historx" dealer, and 

 cxhibitiHl in museums, on leaf\' branches. 



Xewstead's Scale -In sect. 



One of the most striking of our n.itive spccios, owing to the 

 curved plates of wax with which the upper side is covered 

 and margined. The upper and under sides are shown, niag- 



with tlu' " tail" of the hinder wing just nifud twelve times. 



touching the branch, it affords some amount of amusement to determine which 

 are leaves and which are butterflies. Now, when flying, these butteiilies are among 

 the. most conspicuous of Insects, for the upper side is marked by broad bands of 

 purple and orange. Such an Insect flying in bright sunshine offers a mark for an 

 Insect-eating bird to follow IJut the butterfly has only to drop upon a leafy bush 

 and close its wings, to become inxisiblc at once ; for the under side is coloured like 

 a dead leaf with \arioi:> tints of \-ellow, brown, and ash, and dark spots so like fungus 

 discolorations, that ir is dilticult to bcliex'e the\' luu-e not actually been produced on 

 the butterfl\- b\ fungi. The nui>(,uin [)reparations are wrong in that the butterfly is 

 represented head upwards. Those who know the butterfly at large sav that it always 

 settles head downwards, and so is still mcne like a dead leaf hanging ready to fall 



1 Newsteadia flcKcosa. - Orthezia insignis. ^ Margarodes triincni. ' l\allim;'. inachis. 



