THE ZEONIA. 519 



far 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 intp the perfect 

 form. As may be seen from the illustration, the shape of the pupa fs very remark- 

 able, reminding the observer of an ancient jousting-helmet with the visor down. 



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

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

 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 Batesll. Bryclaa Julia. Calydna calamita. 



Eurygone opallna. 



"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 

 2ist, 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 con- 

 fined 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. 1 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. 



