THE ZEONIA. 



519 



surpassing in size, those upon the caterpillar of the peacock-butterfly, which is represented 

 on page 516. When it has cast its skin for the last time, and is about to change into the 

 pupa state, it prepares for the coming event by spinning a large web of stout and shining 

 silken threads, which often nearly cover the under surface of the leaf to which it is 

 afterwards suspended. It then bursts through the caterpillar-skin, hitches itself to the 

 silken web, and hangs there until its final change into the perfect form. As may be seen 

 from the illustration, the shape of the pupa is very remarkable reminding the observer 

 of an ancient jousting-helmet with the visor down. 



THE family of the Erycinidse comes next in order, and, as may be seen from the 

 specimens upon the illustration, embraces insects of very differing forms and colours. 

 The strange-looking insect on the left hand derives its name from Mr. Bates, who 

 discovered it, and who has given the following interesting account of its habits : 



Zeonia Baiesii. 



Erycvna Julia. 

 Ewrygone opalina. 



CalydiM calamita. 



" The beautiful Zeonia, of which I sent you a fine series last July, I met with in a 

 forest near Ega, which I had traversed and examined before many times in all seasons. 

 The first specimen I found was a straggler in a different part of the forest. On July 21st, 

 after a month of excessively dry and hot weather, in ascending a slope in the forest by 

 a broad pathway, mounting from a moist hollow choked up with monstrous arums and 

 other marsh plants, I was delighted to see another of what has always been so exceedingly 

 rare a group of butterflies. It crossed the path in a series of rapid jerks, and settled 

 on a leaf close before me. Before I had secured it I saw another, and then shortly after 

 a third. 



I mounted to the summit of the slope, followed a branch pathway which led along 

 the brow of the ridge, without seeing any more, but returned again to examine well the 

 exact spot where I had captured the three ; for it very often happens that a species is 

 confined to a few square yards of space in the vast forest, which, to our perceptions, offer 

 no difference through its millions of acres to account for the preference. I entered the 

 thicket from the pathway, and a few yards therein found a small sunny opening, where 

 many of the Zeonia were flitting about from one leaf to another, meeting one another, 

 gambolling and fighting, their blue transparent tinge, brilliant crimson patch, and long 

 tails, all very visible in the momentary intervals between the jerks in their flight. 



