426 
INSECTS. 
[Chap. XII. 
is the P. Hector, with gorgeous crimson spots set in the 
black velvet of the inferior wings ; these, when fresh, 
are shot with a purple blush, equalling in splendour the 
azure of the European " JEmperor." 
The Spectre Butterfly. — Another butterfly, but be- 
longing to a widely different group, is the " sylph " 
(Restia Jasonia), called by the Europeans by the 
various names of Floater, Spectre, and Silver-paper- 
fly, as indicative of its graceful flight. It is found 
only in the deep shade of the damp forest, usually 
frequenting the vicinity of pools of water and cas- 
cades, about which it sails heedless of the spray, the 
moisture of which may even be beneficial in preserving 
the elasticity of its thin and delicate wings, that bend 
and undulate in the act of flight. 
The Lycamidce 1 , a particularly attractive group, 
abound near the enclosures of cultivated grounds, and 
amongst the low shrubs edging the patenas, flitting 
from flower to flower, inspecting each in turn, as if 
attracted by their beauty, in the full blaze of sun-light ; 
and shunning exposure less sedulously than the other 
diurnals. Some of the more robust kinds 2 are magnifi- 
cent in the bright light, from the splendour of their 
metallic blues and glowing purples, but they yield in 
elegance of form and variety to their tinier and more 
delicately-coloured congeners. 
Short as is the eastern twilight, it has its own peculiar 
forms, and the naturalist marks with interest the small, 
but strong, Resperidos 3 , hurrying, by abrupt and jerk- 
ing flights, to the scented blossoms of the champac or 
1 Lyccena polyommatus, $c. * Pamphila hesperia, $c. 
2 Amblypodia pseudocentaurus, 
