86' ON THE GEOGRAPHY OF ANIMALS. 



in silence. As the American continent, more than any 

 other, abounds in forests of timber trees, so do we find 

 that the number of coleopterous insects, which feed, in 

 their larva state, within the substance of wood, are 

 proportionally numerous ; the comparative relations be- 

 tween those of Europe and of Brazil alone being pro- 

 bably as one to nine : while of such Cokoptera as devour 

 decayed animal substances (here removed entirely by 

 ants), the ratio may be inverted. To the abundant 

 supply of soft and nutritious vegetable food, we may, in 

 like manner, attribute the amazing number of lepidop- 

 terous insects : in their va- 

 riety, size, and brilliancy of 

 colouring, they are certainly un- 

 rivalled by any in the world. 

 Of the diurnal butterflies, we be- 

 lieve that between six and seven 

 hundred species alone inhabit 

 Brazil. One of these, the Pro. 

 tesilaus Leilus (fig. 36.)* is a 

 beautiful representation of the 

 European swallow-tail. Some 



of the lesser species are more beautifully marked than 

 those of larger size and more dazzling colours. The 

 genuine Papilionidce, without any very palpable generic 

 distinction from those of Africa and Asia, possess a 

 certain aspect, or habit (as it is usually termed), which 

 immediately betrays their country to the eye of the 

 experienced entomologist. The family of Coliadce, com. 

 prehending those simply coloured, yet beautiful, yellow 

 and orange butterflies, so frequently seen in collections, 

 are particularly numerous both in species and individuals. 

 The hair-streaks (Thedidce) is another family so abun- 

 dant, that we possess near 120 species from Brazil ; but 

 the Hesperidce, or skippers, are in still greater profusion, 

 since more than 200 different sorts were captured by us 

 in Brazil, nearly the whole of which are restricted to the 



* 2ool. Ill ii. 93. 



