1832.J BUTTERFLIES AND BEETLES. 45 



frequents the orange-groves. Although a high flier, yet it 

 very frequently alights on the trunks of trees. On these 

 occasions its head is invariably placed downwards ; and its 

 wings are expanded in a horizontal plane, instead of being 

 folded vertically, as is commonly the case. This is the 

 only butterfly which I have ever seen, that uses its legs for 

 running. Not being aware of this fact, the insect, more 

 than once, as I cautiously approached with my forceps, 

 shuffled on one side just as the instrument was on the point 

 of closing, and thus escaped. But a far more singular 

 fact is the power which this species possesses of making a 

 noise.* Several times when a pair, probably male and 

 female, were chasing each other in an irregular course, they 

 passed within a few yards of me ; and I distinctly heard a 

 clicking noise, similar to that produced by a toothed wheel 

 passing under a spring catch. The noise was continued at 

 short intervals, and could be distinguished at about twenty 

 yards' distance : I am certain there is no error in the 

 observation. 



I was disappointed in the general aspect of the Coleoptera. 

 The number of minute and obscurely-coloured beetles is 

 exceedingly great, t The cabinets of Europe can, as yet, 

 boast only of the larger species from tropical climates. It 

 is sufficient to disturb the composure of an entomologist's 

 mind, to look forward to the future dimensions of a complete 

 catalogue. The carnivorous beetles, or CaralidcB appear 

 in extremely few numbers within the tropics : this is the 

 more remarkable when compared to the case of the 

 carnivorous quadrupeds, which are so abundant in hot 

 countries. I was struck with this observation both on 

 entering Brazil, and when I saw the many elegant and 

 active forms of the HarpalidcB reappearing on the temperate 



* Mr. Doubleday has lately described (before the Entomological Society, 

 March 3rd. 1845) a peculiar structure in the wings of this butterfly, which 

 seems to be the means of its making its noise. He says, " It is remarkable 

 for having a sort of drum at the base of the fore wings, between the costal 

 nervure and the subcostal. These two nervures, moreover, have a peculiar 

 screw-like diaphragm or vessel in the interior." I find in LangsdorlFs 

 travels (in the years 1803-7, p. 74) '■< is ^aid, that in the island of St. Cathe- 

 rine's on the coast of Brazil, a butterfly called Februa Hoffmanseggi, makes 

 a noise, when flying away, .like a rattle. 



t I may mention, as a common instance of one day's (June 23rd) collect- 

 ing, when I was not attending particularly to the Coleoptera, that I cauglr, 

 sixty-eight snccien of that order. Among these, there were only two of tlit 

 Carabin.-c, tour Brachclytra, fifteen Rhyncophora, and fourteen of th<- 

 Chrysomclidac. Thirty-seven species of Arachnida:, which I brouglit homr, 

 will be sufficient to prove that I was not paying overmuch attention to the 

 generally favoured order of Coleoptera. 



