55 



On February 22nd we left to go by train to Sao Paulo, an eleven 

 hours' journey by train, over a line that is in very bad repair. 

 The dust is at times terrible; it pervades everything, and it is 

 usual for people to travel in special dust-coats. These, however, 

 do not prevent dust from getting into your ears, eyes, and mouth, 

 and one is glad to arrive at Sao Paulo after a very uncomfortable day. 

 We remained at Sa5 Paulo for four days, making daily excursions on 

 the Sao Paulo railway to the Alto da Serra station, or to the 

 Cantareira Waterworks, some eight or nine miles distant, by steam 

 tramway. The Alto da Serra we worked more thoroughly later on, as 

 we found it was a fine locality. Near the Cantareira Waterworks we 

 found Alorpho hercules in the greatest abundance. Comparatively 

 few other species were on the wing, and it was some time before we 

 accounted for any of the dark green Morpho. We at last secured a 

 poor specimen, and then having killed it, by holding it between the 

 forefinger and thumb on the underside and waving the wings back- 

 wards and forwards, we utilised it as a decoy, and attracted many 

 specimens to fly down towards it. Sometimes we counted as many 

 as seventeen specimens flying together We had no difificulty later 

 in securing as many specimens as we wanted. This method of 

 decoying did not answer with Morpho achillccjia at the same place. 

 But that species was not nearly so abundant, and was going over. 



On February 26th we went by the Sao Paulo line to Riberao Pires 

 to reconnoitre ; but the place did not offer sufficient attractions, and 

 that same evening we pushed on to Santos, making our way across 

 the bay in a launch, and by the miniature steam tramway to 

 Guaruja. 



To arrive at Guaruja at night for the first time is something quite 

 out of the common. A tiny train consisting of one open carriage 

 travels over a very narrow gauge through dark forest for half an hour, 

 and suddenly one comes out in front of a large hotel with electric 

 arc-lights outside, and everything inside done for your comfort. We 

 found the hotel all but empty, it being the hot season, but the 

 collecting was of the most exciting character. Enlomologically we 

 found we were in an exceptionally rich district, and we had some 

 exciting work netting Synfomidcp, especially off the flowers of a pink- 

 flowered Ageratum. ^Ve took A^apata eiicyane (plentifully), Saiirita 

 tenuis^ Trichura dixanthia, Trichiira grandis (nov.), Tipulodes iina, 

 Cosiiiosoj/ia elegaits, Amycles dolosa, Mesolasia paula (common), 

 besides many others, some of which are new to science. 



We were greatly interested in watching species of the genera 

 Dycladia and Correbia flying with a Lycid beetle, the flight being 

 wonderfully modified, and like that of the beetle. Trichura dixanthia 

 and Trichtcra grandis Wit \sdXc\\Q(l at different times, wondering if they 

 really were moths. The habits of these two species of Trichura were 

 remarkable. They flew from leaf to leaf, and when alighted quivered 

 their wings as many wasps do, and moved their bodies backwards 

 and forwards in a most curious way. They aff"ected the glades of 



