THE LEAF BUTTERFLY. 689 



It may seem strange that a scientific man should find it difficult 

 to determine whether coral was an animal or vegetable produc- 

 tion, but not only do the two kingdoms at their line of division 

 appear to blend into each other, but nature herself appears 

 sometimes to take delight in imitating the characteristics of the 

 one kingdom in those of the other. The illustration, giving an 



THE L.EAF BUTTERFLY. 



instance of this, is given by Mr. Wallace, the well-known nat- 

 uralist. He found in Brazil this leaf butterfly, which when it 

 alighted resembled a leaf so exactly as to defy almost the closest 

 scrutiny. In the illustration the careful reader will find that 

 two butterflies are represented, one on the wing and the other 

 alighted upon the stem of the plant. 

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