HABITS OF EAST INDIAN INSKCTS. •>()}) 



the food of the perfect insect or in its care for its offspring. 

 80 that it seems as if the nature of the larvoe which live on 

 plants growing in warm and damp places, and on which the 

 peculiarity of the nourishment does not seem to be without 

 influence, also remains with the perfect insect, although it is 

 no longer useful to it. 



At the same waterfall of Maros I witnessed another 

 proceeding among hulleiHies, which I think worth mention- 

 ing. It is known that male butterflies, like most other 

 animals, fight with each other from jealousy ; but in other 

 respects these insects are to be considered, as far as I know, 

 very peaceable, and by no means quarrelsome creatures. I 

 was, therefore, much astonished to observe the following 

 incident: — Around and over the blossoms of a flowering 

 shrub flew several butterflies {Precis IphUa, Linn., and some 

 Pieridce), when a butterfly of gigantic size, in comparison 

 with them, Papilio liemiis, Cram., came flying, apparently 

 with the object of sharing their repast. Whether the others 

 were desirous of the company of a guest among them whose 

 appetite would be enormous, or not, it is certain that 1 saw 

 them attack the P. Reiniis^ drive it away, and pursue it for a 

 short distance, till it was evident that it had really taken 

 to flight, when they returned to their flowers. 1 have often 

 seen swallows and other small birds drive away and pursue 

 birds of prey which showed themselves in the neighbourhood 

 of their nests, in a precisely similar manner : they fly above 

 the great enemy, an^^ suddenly drop down upon hiu), or peck 

 him, till he tir^^ uf the rapid and repeated attacks (against 

 which his size and consequent lesser rapidity of flight hinder 

 him from defending hiuiself ), and is forced to seek safety in 

 flight, when his little enemies do not neglect to pursue him 

 for a short distance. This reminds me that 1 have also read 

 of similar attacks of humming-birds upon American Sphinges, 

 arising from jealousy about their food ; but in the present 

 instance the assailants and victors were not birds provided 

 with sharp-pointed beaks, but apparently defenceless butter- 

 flies. 



Is it, then, perhaps, throughout the insect world, 

 "everyone for himself;" and are so many of the lovely, 

 winged, beautifuUy-clothed creatures, apparently so mild 

 and defenceless, really vicious ? It cannot be denied 



