﻿CHEMISTRY OF INSECT COLOURS. 181 



sun, and his large eyes— seemingly endowed with reason — intently 

 watching us. Cautiously we approached, net in hand, preparing 

 to strike, but he was not to be had. As we drew near he began 

 to move round the tree, always keeping us at the same distance, 

 and moving upwards, until with a rush we tried to secure him, 

 only to see him fly off to the top of another tree, safe in his 

 glory for the time being, and leaving us lamenting his non-capture. 

 This is about the most difficult Buprestid to secure, for, though 

 of large size, it is as nimble as a mouse, and really like that 

 animal in its movements. A dull day is best for them, as they 

 are then more lethargic. However, to return, after spending a 

 considerable time and meeting with many disappointments, we 

 got seven amongst us, — not bad, considering all things. By this 

 time the sun was low, and we were still some distance from home. 

 We had wanted to go through some trees near the. edge of the 

 scrub, where quadrisignata is usually to be found, but it was 

 getting late, and these insects as well as persons go to bed, the 

 former generally before sunset, so there was not much chance of 

 getting any, still we determined to have a try. The wallaby were 

 now on the move, going, like ourselves, towards the edge of the 

 scrub where they feed at night, and other tokens gave warning 

 that the tropical night would soon be on us. Hastening on, we 

 came to the trees in question, but almost too late. However, by 

 dint of hammering on the butts (they were only trees of six or 

 eight inches through), a few quadrisignata were dislodged and 

 easily secured, as they dropt almost to the ground. Completely 

 wearied we now made for home, where we arrived hot, tired, and 

 dirty, but not altogether dissatisfied with our day's work. 



So ended one of my many rambles in the Queensland Bush 

 for the purpose of collecting all kinds of Nature's specimens. 

 Their arrangement and keeping has given me many a pleasant 

 hour, especially when, in a time of drought and threatened ruin, 

 one's spirits were inclined to go below zero. 



Should anyone from the " Old Country " be tempted to pay 

 me a zoological visit, we, or rather my boys (I am getting too 

 old), would be only too happy to put him through his facings and 

 make the Bush as interesting as they could. 



Coomooboolaroc, Duaringa, Queensland, Feb. 25, 1890. 



CONTBIBUTIONS to the CHEMISTEY of INSECT COLOUKS. 



By F. H. Perby Coste, F.C.S. 



III. — Method op Working. 

 The first consideration was to ensure absolute uniformity in 

 my experiments, in order that they might all be strictly com- 

 parable inter se. Now it seemed very evident that the effect of 



