INTRODUCTION 



13 



E. Tarsi of front pair of legs perfect in both sexes. Claws large and simple. 

 Hind-wing without internal nervure. Tibiae of first pair of legs with small 

 process. 



Family V. PAPILIONIDAE. 



A 2. Antennae wide apart at origin. Tibia of hind pair of legs with two pairs of 

 spurs. Tibiae of first pair of legs with process beneath. 



Family VI. HESPERIDAE. 



Turning from the structure and classification of the Rhopalocera to their individual 

 features, our attention is drawn to the beauty and variety of their colours and patterns. 

 Whilst some species, such as the glittering Morpho cypris of South America and the majestic 

 Ornithopteras of the Indo-Malayan region, seem destined to represent the very climax of 

 conspicuous splendour, others are coloured to harmonize so perfectly with their habitual 

 surroundings, that they are sometimes visible only when actually flying. The collector's 

 attention will early be drawn to the fact that in very many cases there is a great difference 

 between the upper- and undersides of the wings. Even the dazzling Morpho cacica is an 

 inconspicuous object when the wings are closed in the position of repose and the steel-blue 

 upperside is hidden. Our own comparatively sombre-coloured butterflies and moths provide 

 ample study for this class of coloration. Our brightest butterflies, such as the Red Admiral 

 and Tortoiseshell, are not easily seen when the wings are folded. Many British moths, such 

 as the Crimson and Yellow Underwings, hide their brilliant colours when at rest by covering 

 them under the grey or brown fore-wings. It is evident that whatever may be the purpose 

 of the bright and conspicuous colours,, it is nevertheless, in some cases at least, of importance 

 to such insects that, when at rest and consequently less alert, they should be concealed. 

 A little additional observation will bring to light a further and still more interesting 

 discovery. Many Lepidoptera when at rest are not merely inconspicuous. They actually 

 bear a marked resemblance to some of their inanimate surroundings. The common 

 Brimstone butterfly, when settled with its wings closed, bears a curious resemblance to 

 a holly leaf. Resemblance to leaves is one of the commonest features in the colouring 

 of the underside of the wings of butterflies. It is carried out with the most wonderful 

 perfection in- the genus Kallima, sometimes known as the ' dead leaf ' butterflies. In 

 'Science Gossip', 1867, p. 195, Wallace thus describes the appearance of Kallima paralekta 

 in its native haunts : — 



' It is a large and showy insect when on the wing ; the upper surface being glossed with 

 blue and purple, and the fore- wings crossed obliquely by a broad band of rich orange. The 

 under surface of the wings is totally different and is seen at a glance to resemble a dead leaf. 

 The hind-wings terminate in a little tail, which forms the stalk of the leaf, and from this 

 to the apex is a slightly curved dark-brown line representing the midrib. The transverse 

 striae which cross the discoidal cell in many butterflies are here continued so as to form 

 lateral veins, and the usual submarginal striae on the hind-wings, slightly modified, represent 

 others towards the base of the wing. But it is only when the habits of the insect are observed 

 that the disguise becomes manifested in all its perfection. This butterfly, like many others, 

 has the habit of resting on a nearly vertical twig or branch, with the wings closed together 

 so as to completely hide the upper surface. In this position, the little tail of the hind-wings 

 exactly touches the branch, and we now see why it is always curved inwards a little ; for if 



