CHAPTER XII. 



LABUAN (Oontmued). 



Butterflies of Labuan — Mode of Flight — Number of Species — Dominant 

 Species — Butterflies of Pulo Daat — Hermit Crabs— Cocoa-nut Planting— 

 Dragon-Flies — Water Beetles — Jungle Spiders — Carpenter-Bee and 

 Mason-Wasp — Eulima and StiUfer — Alligators— MoUusca — Feather-Stars 

 — Nudibranchs — Mantle-cutting Doris ^ Land-Shells — Eeef at Pulo 

 Pappan — Dendractinia — Weather at Labuau — Luminous Fungi. 



Although the Lepidopterous insects of Labuan cannot 

 vie with those of South America, as a rule, either in size or 

 in beauty, there are a great number of considerable interest 

 and of striking appearance. They are, of course, derived 

 from the mainland, and less numerous than those of the 

 opposite Bornean coast; but inasmuch as the jungle of 

 Labuan is not only far more accessible than that of the oppo- 

 site coast, but is also remarkably fine and luxuriant, a large 

 number of handsome species may be obtained there with 

 comparative ease. 



The only way to capture the best species is to follow them 

 into the jungle, although a considerable amount of skiU is 

 necessary to overcome the difficulties. The net becomes an 

 awkward instrument in a tangled forest, and the only avail- 

 able method is to watch for them in small open spots, and 

 seize upon those which pass, for pursuit is next to impos- 

 sible. Many of the species fly with amazing rapidity and 

 strength of wing, and in some cases pursue a straight line 



