The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1902-02-16

dinerent rom the othor, Tor, a. - Won
known, sven the males and females OF
the same family, species or group dineI
as TO ooloring and size and sometimes az
TO SHAPED Tiny specimens there are here,
with Widespread scarcely equal to that
Of the house-hy, and the range varies up
to specimens whose wings would outspan
the silver dollar. Their habitat Is from
New York to Africa, from India TO the
Alps. from Colorado to Corsica, from Cali
Yornia 20 Asia, and there Ia included the
Cupido orbetuIus from the Arctic regions.
From all over the world, wherever found,
and that Is nearly everywhere, they have
been brought, and they present a won
drously beautiful range OF colors. from
the most limpid blue next to white-like
the blue Of the sky between two clouds
after rain which the ceramic artists OF
old China were able TO create in porcelain
at an Emperor's order through drabs,
pearl grays, lavenders and puppies. soft,
deep bro WINS. and opalescent tints innum-
cradle; the ensemble a ripping sheen Of
| Kaleidoscope splendor in low tones.
The pride Of the collection il a very large
| butterfly which at the time Of Prof. Meyers
death In September, 1899, was the only
| one Of it's kind known, and c. L. Meyer
| saws that he believes hat had another
one been captured since then he woul
| have heard OF II, az his fathers specimen
was 40 we'll known all over the world that
interested persons would have commune
| Gated to him the finding of a second one.
The fly was found by another son OF
Prof. Meyers, who spent many years IN
South America in the hut of a native tribes
- 10 A 80. .La AnRnp River
The native. although little else than a sav-
age, had caught the fly and liked the looks
and unusual size of it and had pinned 1t
up in his hut without breaking any part of II,
When the young man sent the specimen
north to his father the professor showed
It 10 his friend, Mr.. Strecker. who in an
enthusiastic outburst of delight named
it EudGmonid Jehorah, which may be
translated Gods JOY"
An outline drawing OF the fly Ia given
in the accompanying illustration. 1t Is
9 inches long 10 the end Of the econd-
aries and measures ~ inches across the
wings. The color is a notified brown,
resembling somewhat the trunk of a decay
ing tree. with spots of white. 1t lies in it's
case among gorgeous flies from Brazil.
Strecker said to the professor:
If / had $500 l would give 1t for this fly.
have only $50, I will give you that
NO, indeed!' exclaimed the professor;
NOR for $500
Later the Grand Duke Nicholas Of Russia
wanted TO purchase the fly, c. l.. Meyer
says, but his father declined to part with
il at any price, A cash offer Of $500 was
also refused for It and the same offer was
made 20 his brother and by his brother to
other persons in the Amazon region for
another specimen, but none was ever found
Mr.. Meyer says that the British Museum
sent out an expedition to capture another
specimen, but without success. State
ments were made from time 10 time that
another had been found, he says, N they
always proved to be without foundation.
One of the other curious specimens in the
collection is the Cocytid riliei, from New
Guinea, which has a body shaped like that
of a humble bee, but having the colors of a
humming bird, with transparent wings,
marked by large orange spots. Another
fy has markings resembling those Of an
alligator's skin.
From South America there Is the Cydimon
leilus, with all the hues of the peacock, and
as it's neighbor there is a fly the bottom Of
WilOtf WlIkc IpohS tho kitth 'h'" VI
copper in certain conditions or like the
fine patena Of an old bronze. From NADIA
gascar there is a fly with large polka dots
on the wings.
The ~TeinopaIpus imperidles of India
shines in respondent gold. bronze and
green. and the gray and brown Erebus
strir expands with ten-inch wings spread in
conscious importance. Near by is the
Morpho eythens from Japan, with i'm
mense wings looking like slabs OF mother Of
pearl. or in spots like fire opals.
And in a neighboring drawer the great
moths with big bodies and multi-colored
wings make the drawer appear as a jewel
case, a cabinet OF sea shells. or a preserve
for tortoises and pet turtles Of many mark
ings.
The Meyer collection was once exhibited
at the Brooklyn Institute and Mr., Meyer
says that the institute desired TO buy it. but
tina his father would not sell il.