46 SOUTH-AFRICAN BUTTERFLIES. 



edged. Hind-u-ing : three minute ocelli near base, forming with that 

 in discoidal cell a short row across wing ; base blackish-dusted. 



$ Shining greyish-brown ; inner-marginal area of both wings more 

 or less snffuseel with violet-blue from base. Fore-wing : a fuscous line 

 closing discoidal cell. Uxder side. — Quite similar to that of $, but 

 all the spots more conspicuous, especially the marginal lunular rows. 

 Fore-iving : spot below that in discoidal cell always present, often 

 distinct. 



The ^ varies slightly in depth of colour and in the width of hind- 

 marginal dark border ; ^ but the $ varies very greatly both as regards 

 extent and tint of the blue suffusion, which in some examples is 

 scarcely perceptible, while in others it occupies the larger part of both 

 wings, numerous intermediate grades of development occurring. 



It seems probable that this butterfly is the Otis of Fabricius (1787), but 

 it is impossible to decide the point from that author's descriptions. Judging 

 from the descriptions and figures (in Froc. Zool. Sac, Land., 1865, p. 505, 

 pi. 31, f. 7, ? , and Le^). Ceylon, 1881, p. 77, pi. 35, ff. 6, 6a, $),1 am further 

 of opinion that the Pohjommatus Karsandra of Moore is identical with 

 Lysimo7i. There were certainly specimens not sejiarable from the latter in 

 Mr. E. L. Layard's Cingalese collection, and I have also seen individuals 

 from various parts of India. 



Both sexes of Lusimon are readily distingviishable from Messapus, Godt., 

 by the more whitish cilia, and the rather paler and more conspicuously 

 spotted under side ; and the $ by its very much broader dark hind-marginal 

 border on the upper side. On the under side, moreover, Lysimon has the 

 discal row of ocellate spots very much more curved superiorly, and possesses 

 a spot in the discoidal cell of the fore-wings wholly wanting in Ilessajyus. 



This little Lyccena is scarce about Cape Town, but commoner further to 

 the eastward. It frequents gardens and waste land, and is fond of settling 

 on the grovmd in damp grassy depressions or almost dry ditches. It is 

 mainly a species of the late summer and early autumn (February to April), 

 but I have met with it as early as the middle of September, and Mr. D' Urban 

 took it in British Kaffraria in June. The only South-African locality in 

 which I have met the insect at all abundantly is Plettenberg Bay, on the 

 south coast of the Cape Colony. Mr. J. M. Hutchinson in 1882 sent me the 

 sexes captured in copula at Estcourt, Natal. 



The only differences presented by South-African from European examples 

 are an average rather larger size and a more distinct spotting on the under 

 side ; and the same is the case as regards Mauritian and Indian specimens, 

 Avhich quite agree with those from South Africa. In Mauritius, Lysimon is 

 most abundant ; I found it on waste lands all over the island, and it also 

 congregated on grass lawns in gardens. 



Localities of Lycayna Lysimon. 



T. South Africa. 

 B, Cape Colony. 



a. Western Districts. — Cape Town. "Worcester. Robertson [J. E. 

 C. Hodges). Swellendam (A. C. Harrison). Knysna. Plet- 

 tenberg Bay. Clanwilliam [L. Peringuey). 



^ Two specimens taken in Zululand by Colonel Bowker have the border darker and 

 broader than in any other South-African examples that have come under my notice. 



