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IX. On the Lepidoptera of the Amazons, collected hy 

 James W. H. Trail, Esq., cluring the years 

 1873 to 1875. By Arthur Gardiner Butler, 

 F.L.S., F.Z.S., &c. 



[Read 4th April, 1877.] 



Part I.— RHOPALOCERA. 



The large collection of Lepidoptera made by Mr. Trail 

 Avas obtained over a very wide area, and consequently 

 is of great interest. The expedition to which Mr. Trail 

 was attached was sent out by the Amazon Steam Naviga- 

 tion Company, and his duty was to furnish botanical 

 reports on the country, with the object, apparently, of 

 learning the nature and capabilities of the country. It 

 was in no way a government expedition, and, although 

 Mr. Trail Avas permitted to make botanical and zoological 

 collections, it Avas no part of his official duty. 



The folloAving summary of the ground gone OA^er by 

 the expedition has been kindly forwarded to me by 

 jNIr. Trail, in order that some idea may be given of Avhere 

 the insects were collected : — 



" The expedition ascended the Amazons to Tabatinga, 

 and also ascended several of the side riA^ers to the rapids, 

 distances of from 100 to 800 miles. The side rivers 

 ascended Avere, in order of time, the Trombetas, the 

 Tapajos, the Jamunda, the Mauhes, the Abacaxis, the 

 Madeira, the Rio Negro, the Purus, the Junxii, the 

 Javary, and the Jutahi. About half the Rhopalocera 

 and the greater part of the Heterocera Avere taken during 

 five months spent on the four rivers last mentioned, and 

 on the Solimoes or Upper Amazon." 



" Owing to the very short stay usually made at any one 

 place by the expedition of Avhich I Avas a member, as Avell 

 as to my time being usually taken up Avith botanical Avork 

 during such sto]:)pages, I Avas seldom able to secure more 

 than a A^ery fcAv specimens from each locality." 



After reading the above, it is a fact highly creditable to 



TRANS. ENT. SOC. 1877. — PART II. (jUNE.) I 



