254 BUTTERFLIES. 



Silphida, and carnivorous Carabida, are by no means 

 numerous in Borneo, their place being more than occu- 

 pied by the myriad Termites, Ants, and other insects 

 that keep the surface free from putrefying objects. The 

 Lamellicorns and other vegetable feeders are, on the con- 

 trary, very common forms, and, in conjunction with in- 

 numerable species of Orthoptera, feed upon the plentiful 

 supply Nature has provided for their use, in the vast 

 forests that everywhere clothe the surface of this fine 

 island. 



Enormous diurnal Lepidoptera, the handsome, great 

 Ornithopteri, are generally noticed flapping lazily their 

 large, broad wings in the dark mazes of the forests, 

 sweeping above the low trees, and avoiding the climbers 

 and branches of the taller trees, with a singular bat-like 

 dexterity ; although tolerably numerous, the Butterflies, 

 however, cannot vie with those of Tropical America. 

 In a ramble through the woods, near Santubon, I pro- 

 cured specimens of a rare and splendid species of Pyca- 

 num, allied to P. ametkystinum of Fabricius, having 

 bright, burnished, emerald-green elytra, and the body 

 ornamented on each side with alternate bands of black 

 and orange. The P. amethystinum is sometimes set in a 

 brooch, as among certain Indian tribes are the Buprestis 

 chrysis and the Diamond Beetle. In the Philippines, the 

 beautiful, polished, green species of Stephanorhina, and 

 the handsome Caryphocera, with large black blotches on 

 the elytra, are also held in much estimation, and are 

 preserved in a dry state as ornaments. One of the most 

 common Hemipterous insects (which, taken as a class, 

 not only appear to be very numerous in Borneo, but also 



