PECULIAE WINGS. 



371 



pattern of black on a ground of shining white slightly tinged 

 with yellow. Palmares tigroiclcs, of India, is a very line insect, 

 one of the largest of the family, and having the wings adorned 

 with a number of pale brown stripes, from which it derives its 

 specific name of tigroides, or " tiger-like." 



In this genus there are some very extraordinary insects. 

 Such, for example, is Ascalajphus imperatrix, of Western Africa, 

 which is shown in the accompanying illustration. 



Fig. 179. — Ascalapuus imperatrix. 

 (Wings iridescent.) 



The greater part of the bulk of this insect consists of the 

 wings. The male, which is here portrayed, is scarcely larger 

 in body than our common Daddy Longlegs, and not much unlike 

 that insect in shape. The upper wings are very beautiful. They 

 are translucent, but iridescent in the highest degree, glittering 

 with every colour of the rainbow as the light plays over them. 



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