CHAP. VI.] BUTTERFLIES. 263 



darsius, Gray) ; the upper wings of which measure "six 

 inches across, and are of deep velvet black, the lower, 

 ornamented by large particles of satiny yellow, through 

 which the sunlight passes. Few insects can compare with 

 it in beauty, as it hovers over the flowers of the helio- 

 trope, which furnish the favourite food of the perfect fly, 

 although the caterpillar feeds on the aristolochia and the 

 betel leaf, and suspends its chrysalis from its drooping 

 tendrils. 



Next in size as to expanse of wing, though often 

 exceeding it in breadth, is the black and blue Papilio 

 Polymnestor, which darts rapidly through the air, 

 alighting on the ruddy flowers of the hibiscus, or the 

 dark green foliage of the citrus, on which it deposits 

 its eggs. The larvae of this species are green with white 

 bands, and have a hump on the fourth or fifth segment. 

 From this hump the caterpillar, on being irritated, pro- 

 trudes a singular horn of an orange colour, bifurcate at 

 the extremity, and covered with a pungent mucilaginous 

 secretion. This is evidently intended as a weapon of 

 defence against the attack of the ichneumon flies, that 

 deposit their eggs in its soft body, for when the grub is 

 pricked, either by the ovipositor of the ichneumon, or 

 by any other sharp instrument, the horn is at once pro- 

 truded, and struck upon the offending object with un- 

 erring aim. 



Amongst the more common of the larger butterflies is 

 the P. Hector, with gorgeous crimson spots set in the 

 black velvet of the inferior wings ; these, when fresh, are 

 shot with a purple blush, equalling in splendour the azure 

 of the European " Emperor" 



Another butterfly, but belonging to a widely different 

 group, is the " sylph" (Hestia Jasonia), called by the Euro- 

 peans by the various names of Floater, Spectre, and Silver- 

 paper-fly, as indicative of its graceful flight. It is found 

 only in the deep shade of the damp forest, usually fre- 

 quenting the vicinity of pools of water and cascades, about 

 which it sails heedless of the spray, the moisture of which 



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