AT REST AND ASLEEP 111 



smallest compass, as already stated ; with the 

 exception of some Hesperini,^ the wings are held 

 erect back to back, the fore wings slid down be- 

 tween the hind pair, so that only the latter and 

 the apex and front edge of the former are visible^ 

 There is, however, more variety in the method of 

 treating the antennae ; some, like the Sat3rrinae, 

 sleeping with these wide spread, others tucking 

 them between the wings, others bringing them 

 together beside the front edge of the wings ; 

 sometimes only the stalks of the antennae lie 

 between the wings, the clubs appearing beyond as 

 if crowded out by the tight shutting of the wings. 

 In all cases where the antennae are brouofht to- 

 gether this is the final action of the butterfly 

 before complete repose ; at first the antennae 

 remain without, looking in different directions like 

 sentinels ; and it is only gradually that they are 

 brought to the position of complete rest. 



The moralist tells us, and his warning is sec- 

 onded by the psychologist, that as every repetition 

 of an action makes it easier than before, so any 

 propensity indulged in wears ruts, as it were, in 



1 Wittfeld, however, says that the southern Euphoeades 

 palamedes sleeps with spread wings, and I have seen a 

 European Thais do the same in confinement. 



