an ally, Kallima paralekta. The
upper surface of these insects is very striking and showy, as they are
of a large size, and are adorned with a broad band of rich orange on a
deep bluish ground. The under side is very variable in colour, so that
out of fifty specimens no two can be found exactly alike, but every one
of them will be of some shade of ash or brown or ochre, such as are
found among dead, dry, or decaying leaves. The apex of the upper wings
is produced into an acute point, a very common form in the leaves of
tropical shrubs and trees, and the lower wings are also produced into a
short narrow tail. Between these two points runs a dark curved line
exactly representing the midrib of a leaf, and from this radiate on each
side a few oblique lines, which serve to indicate the lateral veins of a
leaf. These marks are more clearly seen on the outer portion of the base
of the wings, and on the inner side towards the middle and apex, and it
is very curious to observe how the usual marginal and transverse striae
of the group are here modified and strengthened so as to become adapted
for an imitation of the venation of a leaf. We come now to a still more
extraordinary part of the imitation, for we find representations of
leaves in every stage of decay, variously blotched and mildewed and
pierced with holes, and in many cases irregularly covered with powdery
black dots gathered into patches and spots, so closely resembling the
various kinds of minute fungi that grow on dead leaves that it is
impossible to avoid thinking at first sight that the butterflies
themselves have been attacked by real fungi.

But this resemblance, close as it is, would be of little use if the
habits of the insect did not accord with it. If the butterfly sat upon
leaves or upon flowers, or opened its wings so as to expose the upper
surface, or exposed and moved its head and antennae as many other
butterflies do, its disguise would be of little avail. We might be sure,
however, from the analogy of many other cases, that the habits of the
insect are such as still further to aid its deceptive garb; but we are
not obliged to make any such supposition, since I myself had the good
fortune to observe scores of Kallima paralekta, in Sumatra, and to
capture many of them, and can vouch for the accuracy of the following
details. These butterflies frequent dry forests and fly very swiftly.
They were never seen to settle on a flower or a green leaf, but were
ma