16 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 



species of Apatnra aj^peared in myriarls, and was abundant 

 all that season, but ever since that time not more than one or 

 two specimens have been observed each year. 



The dominant species in Labuan are certainly a Danais, 

 abundant everywhere, and Neptis Aceris ; many Cynthia 

 Arsione are met with ; and perhaps the most striking and 

 extraordinary of all the Lepidoptera is the magnificent 

 though common moth, Nyctalemon Hector. 



In the immediate neighbourhood of Labuan there are two 

 small islands; one entirely covered with jungle down to the 

 water's edge ; the other formerly jungle-grown, but now for 

 the most part cleared for cocoa-nut plantations, but still 

 retaining a small patch of the virgin forest. T paid a visit to 

 the latter, and soon discovered that it abounded in the most 

 magnificent of the jungle species, for the island, although 

 small, is nearer to the mainland than Labuati, and, in the 

 tangled jungle which has been allowed to remain, the most 

 exquisite dragon-flies vie with the butterflies in beauty. 

 Moreover, a walk with a net under the boughs of the great 

 trees which overhang the beach, and sometimes impede the 

 passage at high water, gives ample employment for the net, 

 the jungle species coming constantly out and skirting this 

 open space. Here I was sure to meet with species, without 

 difficulty, which in Labuan I might have searched for all day 

 in vain, and many long rows and sails I made to this rich 

 locality. The time which I found favourable for capturing 

 them was from 7 a.m. to near 11 ; before 7 1 have found 

 scarcely any stirring, and as noon approaches they almost 

 suddenly disappear. A few return in the afternoon, but 

 scarcely sufficient to make a walk profitable. Thinking that 

 the other island might be equally rich, I went with my net to 

 visit it, but alas ! I only saw, in all its verdurous depths, two 

 butterflies, both the commonest species of Danais and Terias ; 

 and was the more vexed, on my return, to learn that the 

 morning had been remarked in Labuan as one singularly 

 favourable to Lepidoptera, which had been flying about in 

 unwonted abundance. Looking for some cause for this 

 difference between the two islands, I imagine that the first- 

 mentioned abounding in pools of water gave it more favour- 

 able conditions for butterfly existence ; while in the latter, 



