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 " Emperor" 



The Spectre Butterfly. — Another butterfly, but be- 

 longing to a widely different group, is the " sylph " 

 (Hestia 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 Lyccenidce 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, Hesperidce 3 , hurrying, by abrupt and jerk- 

 ing flights, to the scented blossoms of the champac or 



1 Lyccena polyommatus, Sfc. 3 Pamphila hesperia, fyc. 



2 Amblypodia pseudocentaurus, 



