TIPSY MOTHS. 185 



just before using it, and find it most efficacious. 

 Honey and rum only will do, if the proper mix- 

 ture cannot be obtained. A Charaxes that I 

 captured in the house absolutely drank itself to 

 death with brandy and sugar out of a spoon, 

 I holding it lightly by the wings all the time ; 

 and one of the common moths here (Sphingo- 

 morpha Monteironis), a handsome mottled crea- 

 ture with cream-coloured markings all down the 

 body, I have further christened the " dinner 

 moth," as it always comes in at that time, and 

 helps itself to wine out of my glass, even whilst 

 I am drinking, standing on the brim in the most 

 sociable way. 



I remember once telling the Governor, who 

 was paying me a visit, about their curiously soci- 

 able habit, and I could see by his expression that 

 he scarcely believed me. He was sitting rather 

 near the open door, sipping a glass of Constantia, 

 and I had hardly finished speaking when one of 

 these moths flew in and immediately settled 

 on the rim of the glass just as it was raised 

 to his lips, and there sucked up the wiue at 



