BUTTERFLIES. 113 



two OrnitJiopteras, which belong to the same order as the Papilios, are 

 among the most splendid of the known butterflies. The former is 

 never found below 5,500 feet and seldom lower than 7,U00, and is 

 commonest over 8,000 feet, where it frequents cleared grassy spots 

 within heavy forest. On the upperside it is green with yellow spots 

 on the hindwing, and the long tails are tipped yellow; on the under- 

 side the middle part of both wings is green and the outer part of the 

 forewing brown barred with black; the outer part of the hindwing 

 is spotted yellow as on the upperside. The Ornithopteras measure 

 from 6 to 8 inches across, and their coloration is both bold and 

 pleasing, the forewing being wholly of a velvety black, and the hind- 

 wing golden-yellow scolloped with black. They keep mostly to the 

 warmer slopes under 4,000 feet, where they frequent flowering trees. 



Of the family 3Iorphince, two species of Thaumantis (diores and 

 ramdeo), believed to be seasonal forms of one and the same species, 

 are most gorgeously coloured, being black with large spots which cover 

 a great part of both fore and hind wings, of a brilliant metallic, 

 changeable blue, and measure 4J inches across the outspread wings. 

 They avoid the direct sunlight and dodge about among the scrub 

 growing under the deep shade of tall trees in the hottest and 

 moistest valleys. Frequently associated with them is Stichophthahna 

 camadeva, of similar habits and among the largest of the Sikhim 

 butterflies, being from 5 to Q>\ inches in expanse. It is more soberly 

 coloured on the upperside than the Thaumantis, being chiefly white 

 and brown, but the underside is showier, having a row of five red 

 ocelli with black irides on each wing and other pretty markings. 

 Kallima inachus, one of the oak-leaf butterflies, has a marvellous 

 resemblance to a dead leaf when it is at rest with its wings folded 

 over the back and showing the underside only, the leaf-stalk, veins, 

 &c., being excellently mimicked. This mimicry is supposed to be 

 protective to the insect, but this is doubtful as, when flying about, 

 and jjrotectiou most needed, it exhibits its upjierside, which is a 

 deep violet-blue with a conspicuous yellowish bar across the forewing, 

 apparently quite as much designed to attract attention as the under- 

 side is for concealment. The Lcpchas, with better discernment 

 than the Europeans, call it the chestnut-leaf, to which it bears a 

 closer resemblance tlian the oak-leaf. At times immense crowds of 

 butterflies, composed of many species, may be seen feeding on certain 

 spots by river-sides in the lower valleys, probably where large animals 

 go nightly to drink ; and many species may be caught on a single 

 tree when covered with its scented flowers, but these are the com- 

 mon sorts; the rare ones have to be hunted for in more out-of- 

 the-way places and prized when found. Among the smaller sorts 

 there are about 100 of the Hesjicriidco or "skippers," chiefly dull 



