70 
BLUEFIELDS. 
general form and appearance, its colours, and their 
arrangement in transverse bands, any one, at first 
sight, would pronounce to be a Butterfly of that 
typical division commonly known as Swallow-tailed ; 
yet which is found, on anatomical investigation, to 
possess a very close affinity with Moths. Its habits 
partake of the same equivocal character, as observed 
in the Cuban species, Ur. Fernandinos, so delightfully 
described by Mr. Macleay in the Zool. Trans., and 
in U. Sloanus, the species which inhabits Jamaica. 
The contrast produced by the rich velvet-black of the 
general ground, with the glittering emerald of the 
bands which cross the wings, is very fine ; and, added 
to the broad notched band of ruddy gold, sparkling 
like powdered gems, that is so conspicuous on the 
posterior pair, entitles this insect to take its place in 
the very foremost rank of the most lovely class of 
animated beings. 
The Urania Sloanus is not, like its Cuban relative, 
abundant on the sea-shore : nor does it manifest any 
predilection for the Sea-grape {Coccoloha) ; though 
this common tree fringes the beach in the immediate 
vicinity of Bluefields. A single specimen may he 
now and then seen in the winter months, flitting 
along over the sea-side bushes ; but it was not until 
the middle of March that I saw it in any number. 
Just at that time the Avocado Pear {Per sea gra- 
tissima) was bursting into blossom on the summit of 
Bluefields mountain, the drought having just yielded 
to the first vernal showers. Several trees of this 
species were growing at the spot I have described 
above ; some (which had sprung up in an open space. 
