60 



well describes this ferry, and although written over thirty years ago, 

 this ferry and town are exactly as described then. We found that 

 at the banks of the river at each end of the ferry, where people and 

 horses wait to be taken across the stream, were wonderful spots for 

 butterflies. The wet sand was perfectly alive with Catagratufna and 

 Callicore species. It was here that we found Catagramma hydaspes 

 for the first time. Close by Aficea otrere was flying about some 

 dead bushes and settling thereon. The wings were folded in the 

 peculiar ^««a fashion, showing a large space between fore- and hind- 

 wings. In a sandy lane alongside the river we found butterflies 

 plentiful, and took some fresh Erycinids such z.% Alesene phm-eiis and 

 M. Siigaris, bright-red little butterflies that were exceedingly active 

 in the sunshine, and by no means easy to catch. The red colour is 

 most conspicuous when these insects are flying. Many of the 

 commoner butterflies, such as Catopsiiia, 'Adeipha, and Eunica 

 ma7ga?-ita, were in swarms whenever we came upon a damp spot. 

 The following day spent in the. woods was rather disappointing 

 considering the journey we had undertaken. We took plenty of 

 liuna ilione, Methoiia themisto, Dircenna dero, and Hypoleria adasa. 

 The woods we had chosen to work were too dark for most species, 

 but on the margin we took some nice ErycitiidcB, including the two 

 red species already mentioned. Ithominids of nearly all species that 

 have developed transparency are usually found in rather dark woods, 

 where few other species are to be met with. They do, however, visit 

 flowers in the open, at least in the early morning, as we found later 

 on at Fernandes Pinheiro. 



The next day we left Tibagy and headed once more for Castro. 

 As previously, we broke the journey at Boa Vista. Here we made 

 a meal of beans and rice, which I did not find very satisfying after 

 a whole day's ride. Having got this over we turned ///, or rather <?;/, 

 to our beds, for they were but mattresses. The following morning, 

 after a small cup of black coffee, we left at eight in a heavy mist, 

 which did not clear off for quite two hours; but at 11.30 we 

 arrived at the foot of the Serra in brilliant sunshine and partook of a 

 breakfast that we were more than ready for. Beans and bread, as 

 far as I recollect, formed the principal items of our meal, washed 

 down with the inevitable black coffee. For my part breakfast was 

 quickly done with, as the wood at the foot of the Serra was full of 

 butterflies, and principal amongst them was Morpho thamyris, which 

 was simply swarming. It was one of those rare sights that does not 

 often present itself, even if one is prepared to travel thousands of miles 

 to witness it. Here was a wood literally alive with these exquisitely 

 beautiful butterflies, and in addition there were : Epiphile nigrina, 

 Chlorippe chernbina, Callicore eluina, Callicore catidreiia, Dismorphia 

 theinesia, Dynat?iifie mcBon, Dynamuie athetnon, Dismorphia vielia. 

 Ancea arginussa, and many others. Orchids were growing commonly 

 in the denser portions of the wood, but they weie principally species 

 of Afaxillaria, and small-flowered Oncidium. Unfortunately, we 



