602 



INSECTS ABROAD. 



are sent in every collection from the Himalayas. On examining 

 a number of these, it will be seen that no two are alike, but are 

 the variations corresponding to those of dead leaves. Every tint 

 of yellow, ash, brown, and red is found here, and in many 

 specimens there occur patches and spots formed of small black 

 dots, so closely resembling the way in which minute fungi grow 

 on leaves, that it is almost impossible at first not to believe 

 that fungi have grown on the butterflies themselves ! 



" If such an extraordinary adaptation as this stood alone, it 

 would be very difficult to offer any explanation of it ; but 

 although it is perhaps the most perfect case of protective 

 imitation known, there are hundreds of similar resemblances in 

 nature, and from these it is possible to deduce a general theory 

 of the manner in which they have been slowly brought about." 



The genus Eubagis is South American, and contains a great 

 number of species. The present example is a native of St. 



Paulo, and is one of the many 

 that were taken by Mr. Bates. 

 There is at present only one spe- 

 cimen in the British Museum. 

 Above, the upper wings are 

 black, with a definite gloss 

 of blue in a side light, and 

 variegated with white spots, 

 disposed as shown in the illus- 

 tration. The lower wings are 

 glossed with blue, and have 

 three black stripes, one run- 

 ning along the outer edge, and 

 two others nearly parallel to it. 

 On the under surface the upper 

 wings are brown, with some large white spots, and four dashes of 

 blue. The lower wings are much paler, and have two horizontal 

 strips of dark brown. 



< )f the other species we may notice two, both brought from 

 Ega by Mr. Bates. One is Eubagis Ines, the upper surface of 

 which is shining green, edged with black, and the under surface 

 white, mottled with brown. The second is Eubagis Maori, which 

 is white, edged with black on the lower wings, and azure on the 







Fio. 342.— Eubagis Baia. 

 (Black, blue, and white ) 



