THE ULYSSES BUTTERFLY. 557 



As is often the case with insects, the metallic splendour of these 

 marks is not perceptible except by a strong light. 



The reader will probably have remarked that the colours are 

 so arranged that when the wings are spread they show a pattern 

 extending over both pairs. The name Palinurus is that of the 

 well-known pilot of Eneas' ship. I rather think that the name 

 was given in consequence of the broad pearly -green band across 

 the wings, which bears some fanciful resemblance to a wave of 

 the sea. 



The under surface presents an almost startling contrast to the 

 upper. The place of the speckled black mark at the base of the 

 wings is taken by a sepia-coloured patch sprinkled with pale 

 green, the general colour much resembling that of the English 

 moth known by the popular name of " Old Lady." There are 

 four ruddy, eye-like spots, much resembling those of the common 

 English Buff-tip Moth. Mr. A. Butler is of opinion that this 

 dulness of colour is intended for the purpose of protection, the 

 hues being very much like those of a withered leaf. Our own 

 familiar " Eed Admiral " and " Peacock " Butterflies are often 

 indebted for safety to the dull colouring of the under surface. 



A singularly handsome Butterfly is shown in the accompany- 

 ing illustration, and is known by the name of Papilio Ulysses. 

 Its upper surface has nearly the same colours as those of the 

 preceding insect, but they are disposed in a very different 

 manner. In the male insect the tips and edges of the wings 

 are black, very slightly sprinkled with green. The whole 

 of the centre is the richest azure in some lights, and green 

 in others. In the female the colour is much paler, and has 

 a faded look. 



Below, the basal half of the upper wings is blackish brown, 

 and the rest grey-brown. The lower wings are also grey-brown, 

 and round their edges are seven rather large eye-like spots. The 

 lower half of each spot is buff, then comes a curved streak of 

 black, and the upper edge is white. The insect is a native of 

 Amboyna. 



On Plate XII. Eig. 1 is seen an insect which very much 

 resembles the preceding species, but was shown by Mr. A. 

 Butler to be perfectly distinct. Its name is Papilio Joesa, and 



