86 ON THE GEOGRAPHY OF ANIMALS. 
in silence. As the American continent, more than any 
other, abounds in forests of timber trees, so do we find 
that the number of coleopterous insects, which feed, in 
their larva state, within the substance of wood, are 
proportionally numerous ; the comparative relations be- 
tween those of Europe and of Brazil alone being pro- 
bably as one to nine: while of such Coleoptera as devour 
decayed animal substances (here removed entirely by 
ants), the ratio may be inverted. To the abundant 
supply of soft and nutritious vegetable food, we may, in 
like manner, attribute the amazing number of lepidop- 
terous insects: in their va- 
riety, size, and brilliancy of 
colouring, they are certainly un- 
rivalled by any in the world. 
Of the diurnal butterflies, we be- 
lieve that between six and seven 
hundred species alone inhabit 
Brazil. One of these, the Pro- 
SY tesilaus Leilus (fig. 36.)* is a 
Siege beautiful representation of the 
European swallow-tail. Some 
of the lesser species are more beautifully marked than 
those of larger size and more dazzling colours. The 
genuine Papilionide, without any very palpable generic 
distinction from those of Africa and Asia, possess a 
certain aspect, or hubit (as it is usually termed), which 
immediately betrays their country to the eye of the 
experienced entomologist. The family of Coliade, com- 
prehending those simply coloured, yet beautiful, yellow 
and orange butterflies, so frequently seen in collections, 
are particularly numerous both in species and individuals. 
The hair-streaks (Theclid@) is another family so abun- 
dant, that we possess near 120 species from Brazil ; but 
the Hesperide, or skippers, are in still greater profusion, 
since more than 200 different sorts were captured by us 
in Brazil, nearly the whole of which are restricted to the 
* Zool. Ill. ii, 93. 
