246 LESSONS FKOM NATUEE. [CHAP. VIII. 



observe scores of KalUma parahctajn Sumatra, and to capture many 

 of them, and can vouch for the accuracy of the following detail; 

 These butterflies frequent dry forests, and fly very swiftly, 

 were seen to settle on a flower or a green leaf, but were many times 

 lost sight of in a bush or tree of dead leaves. On such occasions they 

 were generally searched for in vain; for while gazing intently at the 

 very spot where one had disappeared, it would often suddenly dart 

 out, and again vanish twenty or fifty yards further on. On one or two 

 occasions the insect was detected reposing, and it could then be * 

 how completely it assimilates itself to the surrounding leaves. 

 on a nearly upright twig, the wings fitting closely back to back, con 

 cealing the antenna and head, which are drawn up between then- 

 bases. The little tails of the hind wing touch the branch and form a 

 perfect stalk to the leaf, which is supported in its place by the claws of 

 the middle pair of feet, which are slender and inconspicuous, 

 irregular outline of the wings gives exactly the perspective effect of a 

 shrivelled leaf. We thus have size, colour, form, markings, and habits, 

 all combining together to produce a disguise which may be said to be 

 absolutely perfect ; and the protection which it affords is sufficiently 

 indicated by the abundance of the individuals that possess it.&quot; 



Not only moths, but also beetles imitate bees. Wasps 

 and objects the most strange are also mimicked by beetles, 

 such, e.g., as dung and drops of dew. There are also 

 creatures called bamboo or walking-stick insects, which 

 present a most striking resemblance to twigs of bamboo. 

 Concerning these Mr. Wallace tells us :* &quot; Some of these are 

 a foot long and as thick as one s finger, and their whole 

 colouring, form, rugosity, and the arrangement of the head, 

 legs and antenna are such as to render them absolutely 

 identical in appearance with dry sticks. They bang loosely 

 about shrubs in the forest, and have the extraordinary habit 

 of stretching out their legs uusymmetrically, so as to render 

 the deception more complete.&quot; 



But there are facts yet more extraordinary. Some insects 

 which mimic leaves, mimic even the marks made upon 

 leaves by the ravages of other insects or by mould. As 

 to this Mr. Wallace further informs us :t &quot;One of these 

 creatures obtained by myself in Borneo (Ceroxylus laceratus) 



Op. cit. i&amp;gt;. 61. t Loc. cit. p. 64. 



