must derive some advantage from the imitation, and as they are certainly weak
birds, with small feet and claws, they may require it. Now the Tropidorhynchi
are very strong and active birds, having powerful grasping claws, and long,
curved, sharp beaks. They assemble together in groups and small flocks, and
they haw a very loud bawling note which can be heard at a great distance, and
serves to collect a number together in time of danger. They are very plentiful and
very pugnacious, frequently driving away crows and even hawks, which perch
on a tree where a few of them are assembled. It is very probable, therefore, that
the smaller birds of prey have learnt to respect these birds and leave them alone,
and it may thus be a great advantage for the weaker and less courageous
Mimetas to be mistaken for them. This being case, the laws of Variation and
Survival of the Fittest, will suffice to explain how the resemblance has been
brought about, without supposing any voluntary action on the part of the birds
themselves; and those who have read Mr. Darwin's "Origin of Species" will have
no difficulty in comprehending the whole process.
The insects of the Moluccas are pre-eminently beautiful, even when compared
with the varied and beautiful productions of other parts of the Archipelago. The
grand bird-winged butterflies (Ornithoptera) here reach their maximum of size
and beauty, and many of the Papilios, Pieridae Danaidae, and Nymphalidae are
equally preeminent. There is, perhaps, no island in the world so small as
Amboyna where so many grand insects are to be found. Here are three of the
very finest Ornithopterae—priamus, helena, and remiss; three of the handsomest
and largest Papilios—ulysses, deiphobus, and gambrisius; one of the handsomest
Pieridae, Iphias leucippe; the largest of the Danaidae, Hestia idea; and two
unusually large and handsome Nymphalidae—Diadema pandarus, and Charaxes
euryalus. Among its beetles are the extraordinary Euchirus longimanus, whose
enormous legs spread over a space of eight inches, and an unusual number of
large and handsome Longicorns, Anthribidae, and Buprestidae.
The beetles figured on the plate as characteristic of the Moluccas are: 1. A
small specimen of the Euchirus longimanus, or Long-armed Chafer, which has
been already mentioned in the account of my residence at Amboyna (Chapter
XX.). The female has the fore legs of moderate length. 2. A fine weevil, (an
undescribed species of Eupholus,) of rich blue and emerald green colours,
banded with black. It is a native of Ceram and Goram, and is found on foliage. 3.
A female of Xenocerus semiluctuosus, one of the Anthribidae of delicate silky
white and black colours. It is abundant on fallen trunks and stumps in Ceram and
Amboyna. 4. An undescribed species of Xenocerus; a male, with very long and
curious antenna, and elegant black and white markings. It is found on fallen