CHAPTER VII. 
MEANS OF DEFENCE OF BUTTERFLIES. 
Creative Wisdom has endowed this tribe of ani- 
mals, like many others, with certain means of de- 
fence suited to the condition in which they are 
placed. Several larvee of butterflies will bite very 
sharply,—these are distinguished, by having at 
their head a semi-coronet of strong spines ; while 
others have singular anal organs, which may have a 
similar use. 
A numerous host of these little animals escape 
from birds, and other assailants, by their being so 
like in colour to the plants which they inhabit, or the 
twigs of shrubs and trees, their foliage, flowers, and 
fruit, that their devourers cannot readily see them. 
The brilliant colours with which many of the 
Papilios are invested, is, in all probability, another 
means of defence, rather than a mere ornament,— 
they may dazzle their enemies. The radiant blue 
of the upper surface of the wings of the gigantic 
butterfly so prevalent in Brasil, the Papilio Mene- 
laus, or Silver-blue Butterfly, (see plate 20,) which, 
from its size, whould he a ready prey for any insec- 
tiyorous bird, may by its splendour, which, we are 
