FL IGH T AND REPOSE.
the exact spot where the butterfly settled, and though I
lost sight of it for some time, I at length discovered that it
was close before my eyes, but that in its position of repose
it so closely resembled a dead leaf attached to a twig as
almost certainly to deceive the. eye even when gazing full
upon it. I captured several specimens on the wing, and
was able fully to understand the way in which this
wonderful resemblance is produced.
The end of the upper wings terminates in a fine
point, just as the leaves of many tropical shrubs
and trees are pointed, while the lower wings are somewhat
more obtuse, and are lengthened out into a short
thick tail. Between these two points there runs a dark
curved line exactly representing the midrib of a leaf, and
from this radiate on each side a few oblique marks which
well imitate the lateral veins. 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
they are produced by strife and markings which are very
common in allied species, but which are here modified and
strengthened so as to imitate more exactly O the venation ot
a leaf. The tint of the under surface varies much, but
it is always some ashy brown or reddish colour, which
matches with those of dead leaves. The habit of the
species is always to rest on a twig and among dead or
dry leaves, and in this position with the wings closely'
pressed together, their outline is exactly that of a moderately
sized leaf, slightly curved or shrivelled. The tail
of the hind wings forms a perfect stalk, and touches the