REST ATTITUDES 
571 
downwards as noticed by Darwin in Brazil. 1 When disturbed they 
will return to the same tree again and again. I met with this species 
at Colon, La Guaira, and Trinidad, and noticed these points on each 
occasion. 
Another large Eyrnphaline which appears invariably to sit head 
downwards is Aganisthos orion , Fabr., of which I saw several in 
Jamaica. The favourite resting-place seemed to be the trunk of 
a Logwood tree, Haematoxylon campeachianum, Linn., from one to 
four feet from the ground. This species rests with its wings closed 
above its back, and although the underside is cryptically coloured, 
the butterfly may be seen in profile from a considerable distance. 
The pretty little Hymphaline, Dynamine theseus, Feld., with 
which I was familiar in Venezuela, Trinidad, and Tobago, often re¬ 
minded me of a Lycaenid in its rapid flight and other ways; thus 
I saw it several times settle head downwards and then quickly move 
its wings, though I was not able to get near enough to make out the 
exact nature of the movement. 
§ 11. General Remarks on the Rest Attitudes of Butterflies. 
That the term “ Rest Attitude ” is used very loosely in this 
chapter I am well aware. A butterfly may be conceived as resting 
in several stages. First, it may settle to feed. Sphinx feeds on the 
wing; many a Papilio settles on a flower to feed, but flutters while 
sucking the honey, this, e.g t) is the habit of P. erithonius, Cram., 
P. hector , Linn., and P. dissimilis , Linn. Thus in Ceylon I found 
that the best way of distinguishing the last-named from the Danaids, 
which it mimics so closely, was by this fluttering. I am, however, 
not certain whether all the species have this habit. Many moths, 
notably Plusia , are intermediate between Sphinx and Papilio in this 
respect. The vast majority of butterflies feed with their wings still, 
either more or less widely spread out, or closed over the back. The 
Hesperidae rest in so many different ways as to be worthy of special 
consideration. 
As all English collectors know, our two common Skippers, 
Hesperia thaumas , Hufn., and H. sylvanus , Esp., when settled on 
flowers elevate the fore-wings, which are somewhat drawn back, but 
hold the hind-wings almost horizontally. I have seen several exotic 
species adopt the same peculiar attitude, but the only two of which 
1 “Journal of Researches,” etc., Ed. 1860, p. 38. Compare W. J. Burchell’s 
observations (1825-1836), quoted by J. C. Moulton, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. (8), ii., 
pp. 184-7 (1908). 
