CARACAS—CLEAR-W IN G BUTTERFLIES 
313 
divided amongst eight genera of one group of butterflies, is a suffi¬ 
ciently remarkable record for three visits to a strip of ground which 
certainly did not exceed 50 yards in length by 10 yards in width. 
While fully bearing out Bates’ account, it forms a striking exception 
to Darwin’s rule that nearly allied species are seldom found in close 
competition on the same ground. 
On another occasion I met with a similar experience. On 
March 28th, 1907, a hot sunny morning, as I was walking along the 
upper water-course where it runs through the wood almost clinging 
to the face of the cliff (perhaps a quarter of a mile from the previously 
described locality), passing under the shade of a large tree I disturbed 
a crowd of butterflies so dense that fourteen were easily netted in 
two or three swoops. Ten of these, which all proved to be Ithomia 
sylvdla , were pinched; four of them got away. In this instance the 
butterflies were confined to some 4 or 5 yards of the narrow path, 
and it was almost a “ pure culture ” of that singularly delicate little 
species, indeed, the only other butterflies of the genus taken at that 
spot were two specimens of Athesis dearista, and single specimens of 
Pteronymia latilla , and Dircenna jemina, Hubn. ( iambe , Dbl. & H.). 
I may add that I have no reason in either case to think that the 
Ithomiines were drinking at the stream. 
Judging from the British Museum series, P. victorina and L. 
phemonoe are not very common insects. In four or five of the above 
species I found more or less scent of a disagreeable character, re¬ 
calling stables or pig-sties. In some examples I thought the scent 
was connected with the brushes, or fringes, near the costa of the 
hind-wings, but unfortunately my observations did not yield very 
definite results. 
But besides Ithomiines there were plenty of other butterflies 
along the banks of that stream and the water-courses leading from it. 
To begin with the less exciting Satyrines. There were Euptychia 
hermeSf and the smaller E. pharella, the latter very common among 
grass and less chary of sunlight than many of the family; one had a 
small symmetrical injury to the tips of the fore-wings, possibly 
inflicted by a bird: but the more attractive Oressinoma typhia was, 
on the contrary, always found in the shade. 
The commonest Nymphaline was the tiny fulvous Phyciodes 
anieta. It was in this favoured spot that I first made acquaintance 
with the beautiful genus Dynamine , capturing three theseus , Feld., 
and one geta , Godm.; the insects of this genus fly much like Blues; 
Anartia amalthea flew over the water of the levadas, and Precis 
lavinia was as usual easier to see than to catch. A single specimen 
