266 THE ENTOMOLOGIST 



ON THE HABITS OF EAST INDIAN INSECTS, 

 ESPECIALLY LEPIDOPTERA. 



By M. C. PiEPEiis. Translated from the Proceedings of the Dutch 

 Entomological Society, vol. xix., by 



W. F. KlRBY.* 



When 1 collected our indigenous buUeiHies in the neigh- 

 bourhood of Arnheni, inany years ago, I observed that several 

 of the largest and finest species frequented the neighbourhood 

 of clear running water. I considered the brooks on the 

 estate of Mariendaal a good hunting-ground, lor I had 

 already found so many fine specimens there that I always 

 directed my steps thither again, sure that sooner or later I 

 should again make some good capture. 



When, ten years later, I again took up the butterfly-net in 

 the East Indian Islands, the same thing happened to me 

 there also ; only, as one who is accustomed to tro])ical 

 climates would expect to find, on a much larger scale than 

 in temperate regions. In these islands — where the clear 

 mountain streams rush foaniing over masses of rock, 

 especially where the rivers flow swiftest and purest, down 

 waterfalls, or near water broken by irregularities of the 

 bed — the haunts of the great butterHies are to be found, 

 and there can one feel sure, when there is no want of 

 sunshine, of seeing himself surroimded by many forms of 

 these children of the sun, whose number and beautiful 

 colours would amaze the Northern collector. I say amaze; 

 but his eye and mind would alike be ravished with the 

 possession of the beauties of Natiue, lor nowhere does 

 tropical nature show itself more dazzling than here, where 

 in the twilight formed by the over-arching of the incredibly 

 luxuriant tropical vegetation, due to the heat and dan)p, the 

 mountain stream, in the fierce glare of the sun, rushes swiftly 

 down like a broad, shining silver streak, breaking through 

 the darker hues of tlie bank, foaming and dashing spray over 

 every rock in its path, which is covered at every turn with 

 drops of water, illumined by the sun into glittering jewels : 

 while above and between, in perfect harmony with that life, 



* A GeriiKiii truiislatiim, by Dohrn, of the greater jiortion of this paper, 

 has been published in the ' Stettiiier luituniohigische Zeituug ;' and 1 have 

 Bonietinies cliecked my own translation by I. — \V. 1\ K. 



