The geographical distribution of animals, with a study of the relations ...

;342 ZOOLOGICAL GEOGRAPHY. [part hi.The butterflies of this sub-region, according to the best estimatethat can be formed, amount to about 650 described species,a number that will yet, no doubt, be very considerably increased.The genera which appear to be peculiar to it are Erites (Satyridse); Zeuxidia (Morphida?) ; Amnosia, Xanthotcenia, andTancccia (Nymphalidre). The groups which are most characteristicof the region, either from their abundance in individualsor species, or from their size and beauty, are—the rich darkcolouredEuplcea ; the large semi-transparent Hcstia; the plaincolouredMycalesis, which replace our meadow-brown butterflies{Hipparchia) ;the curious Elymnias, which often closely resembleEupla?as ; the large and handsome Thamantis and Zeuxidia,which take the place of the giant Morphos of South Americathe Cethosia, of the brightest red, and marked with a curiouszigzag pattern ; the velvety and blue-glossed Terinos ; the paleand delicately-streaked Cyrcstis; the thick-bodied and boldlycoloured Adolias ; the small wine-coloured Taxila ; the fine blueAmblypodia ; the beautiful Thyca, elegantly marked underneathwith red and yellow, which representour common whitebutterflies and are almost equally abundant ; the pale blueEronia, and the large red-tipped Iphias. The genus Papiliois represented by a variety of fine groups ; the large Ornithoptera,with satiny yellow under -wings ; the superb green-marked" brookeana ; " the " paradoxa" group, often closely resemblingthe Euplfleas that abound in the same district ; the " paris "group richly dusted with golden-green specks ; the " helenus "group with wide-spreading black and white wings ; the blackand crimson " polydorus " group ; the " memnon " group, of thelargest size and richly-varied colours ;and the " eurypilus "group, elegantly banded or spotted with blue or green :all theseare so abundant that some of them are met with in every walk,and are a constant delight to the naturalist who has the privilegeof observing them in their native haunts.The Coleoptera are far lessprominent and require to be carefullysought after ; but they then well repay the collector. Asaffording some measure of the productiveness of the tropics ininsect life it will not be out of place togive a few notes of the