chap. Tin.] LEAF-LIKE BUTTERFLY. 205 



it so closely resembled a dead leaf attached to a twig as 

 almost certainly to deceive the eye even when gazing full 

 upon it. I captured several specimens on the wing, and 

 was able fully to understand the way in which this 

 wonderful resemblance is produced. 



The end of the upper wings terminates in a fine 

 point, just as the leaves of many tropical shrubs 

 and trees are pointed, while the lower wings are some- 

 what more obtuse, and are lengthened out into a short 

 thick tail. Between these two points there runs a dark 

 curved line exactly representing the midrib of a leaf, and 

 from this radiate on each side a few oblique marks which 

 well imitate the lateral veins. These marks are more 

 clearly seen on the outer portion of the base of the wings, 

 and on the inner side towards the middle and apex, and 

 they are produced by striae and markings which are very 

 common in allied species, but which are here modified and 

 strengthened so as to imitate more exactly the venation of 

 a leaf. The tint of the under surface varies much, but 

 it is always some ashy brown or reddish colour, which 

 matches with those of dead leaves. The habit of the 

 species is always to rest on a twig and among dead or 

 dry leaves, and in this position with the wings closely 

 pressed together, their outline is exactly that of a mode- 

 rately-sized leaf, slightly curved or shrivelled. The tail 

 of the hind wings forms a perfect stalk, and touches the 



