206 SUMATRA. [chap. viii. 



stick while the insect is supported by the middle pair of 

 legs, which are not noticed among the twigs and fibres 

 that surround it. The head and antennse are drawn back 

 between the wings so as to be quite concealed, and there 

 is a little notch hollowed out at the very base of the 

 wings, which allows the head to be retracted sufficiently. 

 All these varied details combine to produce a disguise 

 that is so complete and marvellous as to astonish every 

 one who observes it ; and the habits of the insects are 

 such as to utilize all these peculiarities, and render them 

 available in such a manner as to remove all doubt of 

 the purpose of this singular case of mimicry, which is 

 undoubtedly a protection to the insect. Its strong and 

 swift flight is sufficient to save it from its enemies when 

 on the wing, but if it were equally conspicuous when at 

 rest it could not long escape extinction, owing to the 

 attacks of the insectivorous birds and reptiles that abound 

 in the tropical forests. A very closely allied species, 

 Kallima inachis, inhabits India, where it is very common, 

 and specimens are sent in every collection from the 

 Himalayas. On examining a number of these, it will be 

 seen that no two are alike, but all the variations correspond 

 to those of dead leaves. Every tint of yellow, ash, brown, 

 and red is found here, and in many specimens there occur 

 patches and spots formed of small black dots, so closely 

 resembling the way in which minute fungi grow on leaves 



