fewer numbers than in our own temperate regions. I was
much surprised at the habits of Papilio frrunm. This butterfly
is not uncommon, and generally frequents the orange-
groves. Although a high flier, yet it very frequently alights
mi the trunks of trees. On these occasions its head is invariably
placed downwards; and its wings are expanded m a
horizontal plane, instead of being folded vertically, as is commonly
the case. This is the only butterfly which I have ever
seen that uses its legs for running. Not being aware of this
fact the insect, more than once, as I cautiously approached
with my forceps, shuffled on one side just as the instrument
was on the point of closing, and thus escaped. But a
far more singular fact, is the power which this species possesses
of making a noise.* Several times when a pair, probably
male and female, were chasing each other in an irregular
course, they passed within a few yards of m e ; and 1
distinctly heard a clicldng noise, similar to that produced by
a toothed wheel passing under a spring catch.f The noise
was continued at short intervals, and could be distinguished
at about twenty yards distance. I cannot form a conjecture
how it is produced; but I am certain there is no error in the
observation.
I was disappointed in the general aspect of the Coleóptera.
The number of minute and obscurely-coloured beetles is exceedingly
great.* The cabinets of Europe can, as yet, boast
* I f in d in L a n g s d o r f f ’s tra v e ls ( in th e y e a rs 1 8 0 3 -7 , p . 7 4 ) , i t is
s a id t h a t in th e is la n d o f S t. C a th e r in e ’s, o n th e c o a s t o f B ra z il, a h ifite r -
fly c a lle d F e b r u a H o ffm a n se g g i, m ak e s a n o ise , w h e n fly in g aw ay , l ik e a
i '^ M r W a te rh o u s e h a s h a d th e k in d n e s s to e x am in e th is b u tte r fly ,
b u t c a n n o t d isco v e r a n y m e c h a n ism b y w h ic h th e n o is e is p ro -
m ay m e n tio n , as a c om m o n in s ta n c e o f o n e d a y ’s ( J u n e 2 3 d ) colle
c tin g w h e n I w a s n o t a tt e n d in g p a r tic u la r ly to th e C o le ó p te r a , t h a t I
c a u g h t s ix ty - e ig h t sp e c ie s o f t h a t o rd e r . A m o n g th e s e , th e r e w e re o n ly
tw o o f th e C a rab idm , fo u r B r a c h e ly tra , fifte en U h y n c o p h o r a a n d fo u rte e n
o f th e C h ry so ro e lid ic . T h irty - s e v e n sp e c ie s o f A r a c h n idm .w h ic li I b ro u g h t
h om e , will h e su ffic ie n t to p ro v e t h a t I was n o t p a y in g o v e rm u c h a tt e n t
io n to th e g e n e ra lly fav o u re d o rd e r o f C o le ó p te r a .
only of the larger species from tropical climates. It is sufficient
to disturb the composure of an entomologist’s mind,
to look forward to the future dimensions of a complete catalogue.
The Carabkloe appear in extremely few numbers
within the tropics. This is the more remarkable when compared
to tire opposed case of the carnivorous mammalia, an
order which they certairdy represent among insects. I was
struck with this observation both on entering Brazil, and
when I saw the elegant and active forms of the Harpalidæ reappearing
on the temperate plains of La Plata. Do the very
numerous Arachnidoe and rapacious Hymenoptera supply the
place of these carnivorous beetles ? The carrion-feeders and
Brachelytra are very uncommon; on the other hand, the
Rhyncophora and Chrysomelidæ, aU of which depend on
the vegetable world for subsistence, are present in astonishing
numbers. I do not here refer to the number of different
species, hut to that of the individual insects ; for on this it
is that the most striking character in the entomology of different
countries depends. The orders Orthoptera and He-
miptera are particularly numerous ; as likewise is the stinging
division of the Hymenoptera ; the bees, perhaps, being excepted.
A person, on first entering a tropical forest, is
astonished at the labours of the ants : well-beaten paths
branch off in every direction, on which an army of never-
failing foragers may be seen, some going forth, and others
returning, burdened with pieces of green leaf, often larger
than their own bodies.
A small dark-coloured species sometimes migrates in
countless numbers. One da)’, at Bahia, my attention was
drawn by observing many spiders, cockroaches, and other
insects, and some lizards, rushing in the greatest agitation
across a bare piece of ground. A little way behind, every
stalk and leaf was blackened by a smaU ant. The swarm
having crossed the hare space, divided itself, and descended
an old wall. By this means many insects were fairly enclosed
; and the efforts, which the poor little creatures made
to extricate themselves from such a death, were wonderful.