cH\r. xx.] SPLENDID INSECTS. 465 



were at that time almost all rare or new to European 

 collections. 



In the shady forest paths were many fine butterflies, 

 most conspicuous among which was the shining blue Papilio 

 ulysses, one of the princes of the tribe. Though at that 

 time so rare in Europe, I found it absolutely common in 

 Amboyna, though not easy to obtain in fine condition, a 

 large number of the specimens being found when captured 

 to have the wings torn or broken. It flies with a rather 

 weak undulating motion, and from its large size, its tailed 

 wings and brilliant colour, is one of the most tropical- 

 looking insects the naturalist can gaze upon. 



There is a remarkable contrast between the beetles of 

 Amboyna and those of Macassar, the latter generally small 

 and obscure, the former large and brilliant. On the whole, 

 the insects here most resemble those of the Aru islands, 

 but they are almost always of distinct species, and when 

 they are most nearly allied to each other the species of 

 Amboyna are of larger size and more brilliant colours, 

 so that one might be led to conclude that, in passing east 

 and west into a less favourable soil and climate, they had 

 degenerated into less striking forms. 



Of an evening I generally sat reading in the verandah, 

 ready to capture any insects that were attracted to the 

 light. One night about nine o'clock, I heard a curious 

 noise and rustling overhead, as if some heavy animal were 



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