186 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 



Now, concerning the loose scales on this unique butterfly, we 

 have no evidence that the larvse are welcome inhabitants of the 

 ants' nests. However, it is highly probable that the ants have 

 no friendly feeling for the perfect insect, and would most likely 

 attack and kill it during its long rest after emergence if it were 

 not specially and wonderfully protected. So it will be seen that 

 the loose scales act as a perfect protection, for directly the ants 

 encounter these they are in trouble ; they fasten on to their feet 

 and impede their movements, or, if their antennae or mandibles 

 come in contact with any part of the butterfly, the scales adhere 

 thereto, so that the ant is soon in a bad way, and has quite 

 enough to do in attempting to free himself of his encumbrances 

 without taking any further interest in the butterfly, from which 

 he retreats as well as possible. It is exceedingly ludicrous to 

 observe the ants endeavouring to free themselves ; their legs 

 move awkwardly, and their mandibles are opened and closed in 

 evident annoyance and perplexity, and they are much concerned 

 at the state of their antenna, for the obnoxious scales will not 

 be shaken off, and they seem to become very low-spirited. 



It is amusing to observe this dejected change in an ant after 

 his first spar with L. brassolis, for he is such a pert pugnacious 

 fellow, and perfectly willing to tackle anything that moves if in 

 proximity to his pets or nest. As mentioned, I had several 

 small nests of ants taken home, and could introduce them to the 

 butterfly as I wished. It would doubtless be highly entertaining 

 to watch a numerous colony of ants making the acquaintance of a 

 freshly-emerged butterfly. 



The small wings of the insect enable it to get through the 

 nest entrances. The scales on fore wing are necessary to his 

 safety whilst he is crawling out, for the ants might in some cases 

 evade his legs and get on to the thorax ; but if the scales there 

 did not vanquish him, those on the fore wing would. As the 

 butterfly's abdomen becomes strong enough, he raises the tip to 

 touch the support where he is hanging ; in that position he is 

 invulnerable, hundreds of ants could not hurt him. As the fore 

 wings lengthen and touch there is no further need of the scales 

 thereon. The wind doubtless dislodges the majority before the 

 insect flies off, but the other scales would not disappear wholly 

 for some time. 



I placed four larvae on a nest where I knew there were none, 

 and afterwards visited it, and obtained two pupa therefrom. 

 Upon another small tree with several ant habitations, seven 

 larvae were placed, and going there some days later I found one 

 chrysalis on the outside of a nest, one within, several attenuated 

 larvae wandering about the tree— the ants, having become 

 familiar with their presence, taking no notice of them — and a 

 dead larva on the ground. It would appear that the entrances 

 to the nests were too small for the larger caterpillars to gain 



