PIERIDvE. 35 



vellowish spots, often indistinct ; an ill-defined blackish spot 

 Ijeyond middle, between third median nervule and inner- 

 margin. Hind-icing : a black elongate mark at extremity of 

 discoidal cell ; hind-marginal spots united by broad arched 

 streaks, so as to form a series of fesioon-like markings ; be- 

 fore them a more or less connected row of arched streaks (as in 

 underside of $ ), touching them. Underside. — Very simi- 

 lar to $ , but the markings proportionally broader. Fore- 

 wing : yellow tint paler than on upperside ; base only light- 

 greyish ; yellow at apex rather deeper than in $ . Hind- 

 wing : deeper in tint than in ^ ; blackish markings wider.* 



Woods ; sometimes in gardens near woods. 



January (e) — February (e), and again in May. 



"March (m)." — (Miss Weatworth.) "November to May." — D'Urban. 



Tliis is the most rapid-flying Fieris I know ; indeed, the peculiar shape 

 of the acute fore-wing seems to indicate increased powers of flight. Its 

 rapid, irregular course, over and among the trees and underwood, renders 

 it a difficult insect to capture on the wing ; but its fondness for the honey 

 of Plumbago and other flowers, will soon cause it to fall a prey to the 

 watchful collector. It is a constant visitor to the lovely blossoms of the 

 *' Wild Chestnut " (Calodendron Capense), which are so powerful an attrac- 

 tion to insects of all sorts. 



It is worthy of remark that, common as this Butterfly was at Plettenberg 

 Bay, I only saw om female specimen ; but, as I have since received sevei'al 

 from Knysna, taken within a few days of each other, I imagine that the 

 dearth of this sex was a peculiarity of the seasons of 1858 — 59. 



Knysna. Plettenberg Bay. — Coll. mihi. 



Port Natal.— Coll. Brit. Mus., and S. A. Mus. 



Port Elizabeth (August, 1861). Graham's Town. Queen's 

 Town. Keiskamma Mouth. King William's Town. — Coll. 

 W. S. M. D'Urban. 



21. Pieris Mesentina. 



Papilio Mesentina, Cram., Pap. Exot., pi, 270, f. A, B. 

 Papilio Aurota, Fah., Ent. Syst., Ill, 1, p. 197, n. 614. 

 Papilio Mesentina, Herhst.,Ins. — Schmett.,Y ,^\.9\,i.o,Q. 

 Pieris Mesentina, Godt., Enc. Meth., IX, p. 130, n. 34. 



„ „ Boisd., Faune Ent. de Mad., p. 19, n. 5. 



„ ,, „ Sp. Gen. Lep., I, p. 501, n. 95. 



„ „ ,, Voy. de Deleg., App. p. 586. 



„ „ Chenu, Enc. d' Hist. Nat. — Pa«., pi. 19, 



[f.5. 



„ „ Horsf,, Cat. Lep. Ins. Mus. H. E. I. C. S., 



[I, p, 72. 

 Expands 2 in. — 2 in. 5 lin. 



* The ? of Gidica is variable in tint, some specimens being almost 

 white in ground-colour, or but slightly tinged with yellow. 



