286 RHOPALOCERA AFRICA ADSTRALIS. 



on the hind tibiae, and the Pupa in a cocoon of silk-united 

 leaves, evince a relationship to the Heterocera, the But- 

 terfly structure is yet predominant, and plainly shown by 

 the more or less clavate antennae, the absence of any uniting 

 bristle and socket at the bases of the wings, the usually 

 vrell-marked under-surface, and the neuration of the wings. 

 The flight of the insects of this group is also exclusively 

 diurnal. 



Interesting as the HESPERiDiE are, as marking the point 

 where, in the Lepidopterous Order, Rhopalocerous structure 

 begins to pass into Heterocerous, they have met with less 

 attention from entomologists than the butterflies of any other 

 Family. This is, no doubt, primarily owing to the insignificant 

 position the group holds in Europe, where only a few species 

 of small size and inconspicuous appearance are found. 

 America appears to be the metropolis of the Family, 

 particularly the tropical region South of the Equator, where, 

 in number, size, and brilliancy of hue, the species attain 

 their maximum of developement. The flight of these insects, 

 though remarkably swift, is more frequently interrupted by 

 settling than even that of the Lyc^.nid^, and the abruptness 

 with which the apparently headlong flight suddenly terminates, 

 after a career of a few feet in extent, has obtained for the 

 Hesperid.^ in England the title of " Skippers." 



Several species of Pijrgus, Cyclopides Metis, Pampliila 

 Letterstedti, and others seem to be very generally distributed, 

 and will be readily obtained hy the collector, but the fine 

 species of Ismene, Leucochitonea, and many others, seem 

 more tropical in character, and can scarcely be looked for 

 further to the South and West than British Kaffraria. 



Genus PYRGUS. 



Pyrgus, Huhn. 



Thymele, Steph. 



Syrichthus, Boisd, 

 Imago. — Head with tufts at bases of antennae : palpi 

 rather long, second joint densely and compactly hairy, terminal 

 joint short and rather thick and distinctly projecting beyond 

 hairs of second joint; antenncB short, with a rather abruptly- 

 formed cylindrical club very slightly curved. Fore-wivgs 

 rather acute ; costa slightly hollowed in centre. Abdome7i 

 as long as, or slightly longer than, hind-wings. 



The Butterflies of this Genus are of small size, black or 

 dark-brown in ground-colour, and thickly spotted with white. 

 A great similarity of pattern prevails .niiong thcnr, rendering 



