Masterpieces of Science 



closely does it cling to the branches, that until 

 it moves it is absolutely invisible ! An allied 

 species (O. concentricus) is found only at Para, 

 on a distinct species of tree, the bark of which 

 it resembles with equal accuracy. Both these 

 insects are abundant, and we may fairly conclude 

 that the protection they derive from this strange 

 concealment is at least one of the causes that 

 enable the race to flourish. 



Many of the species of Cicindela, or tiger 

 beetle, will illustrate this mode of protection. 

 Our common Cicindela campestris frequents 

 grassy banks and is of a beautiful green colour, 

 while C. maritima, which is found only on sandy 

 sea-shores, is of a pale bronzy yellow, so as to 

 be almost invisible. A great number of the 

 species found by myself in the Malay islands 

 are similarly protected. The beautiful Cicindela 

 gloriosa, of a very deep velvety green colour, 

 was only taken upon wet mossy stones in the 

 bed of a mountain stream, where it was with 

 the greatest difficulty detected. A large brown 

 species (C. heros) was found chiefly on dead 

 leaves in forest paths; and one which was never 

 seen except on the wet mud of salt marshes 

 was of a glossy olive so exactly the colour of 

 the mud as only to be distinguished when the 

 sun shone, by its shadow ! Where the sandy 

 beach was coralline and nearly white, I found a 

 very pale Cicindela; wherever it was volcanic 

 and black, a dark species of the same genus 

 was sure to be met with. 

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