If At Length I Was Fortunate Enough To See The Exact Spot
Where The Butterfly Settled, And Though I Lost
Sight of it for
some time, I would discover 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 innerside
towards the middle and apex, and they are produced by striae and
markings which are very common in allied species, but which are
here modified and strengthened so as to imitate more exactly the
venation of a leaf. The tint of the undersurface 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
stick while the insect is supported by the middle pair of legs,
which are not noticed among the twigs and fibres that surround
it.
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