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发表于 2011-11-14 15:01:13
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VOX POPULI: A 'Himalayan Lady' inspires visions of Shangri-La
The picture of a butterfly I saw recently in the vernacular Asahi Shimbun reminded me of a woman wearing black kimono. There is something subtly Asian in her wistful look, which makes one hesitate to strike up a conversation. The Asahi story that went with the picture said the butterfly was nicknamed “Himalayan Lady.” I thought it was an apt name.
Its official name is Bhutan Glory. For the first time in about 80 years, its existence was confirmed in a remote forest of Bhutan by a team of researchers from the Butterfly Society of Japan. The species was first discovered in the 1930s by a British explorer. London's Natural History Museum, where five mounted specimens are kept, is the only place known to have such rare specimens.
With a wingspan of about 12 centimeters, Bhutan Glory does not have the vivid colors typical of tropical butterflies. But this actually accentuates its narrow, pale yellow stripes and red markings. Its elongated rear wings are extraordinarily graceful.The Japanese team caught five of these butterflies with the Bhutan government's permission, mounted them, and left them with the local authorities.
I watched a program by Japan Broadcasting Corp. (NHK) that showed these butterflies in flight and laying eggs. From time to time, local villagers enter the forest where Bhutan Glory lives and cut firewood. This activity apparently helps keep the environment just right for the butterflies. "We can say the people of Bhutan have protected this species," a Japanese researcher observed. I could not agree more.
A poem by Tomoko Nakamura goes: "On an autumn day that makes reality feel like a dream/ A black swallowtail butterfly glides aimlessly in the sky."There is something otherwordly about black butterflies in general, but Bhutan Glory reminds me of some cool, intelligent lady—like 21-year-old Jetsun Pema, who recently wed the king of Bhutan, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk. The royal couple will visit Japan next week.
The Himalayan nation of Bhutan is known for pursuing "gross national happiness" for all its 700,000 people, rather than aiming at increasing gross domestic product. I believe the "slow life" philosophy is followed there. In a recent survey, 97 percent of the people reportedly said they were happy.I want this country to remain just the way it is, like the butterflies that live in its misty valleys.
—The Asahi Shimbun, Nov. 11 |
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