136 THE FIXITY OF HABIT 



conditions so different from the others ; but it is 

 not found elsewhere among butterflies. The cater- 

 pillars of this same group are universally slow in 

 their movement, there being not a rapid traveler 

 among them. All the caterpillars of the Nymph- 

 alini hunch themselves, the better to display their 

 largest tubercles. One of the most curious in- 

 stances we may cite is the habit of rubbing the 

 erect hind wings together shortly after alighting 

 by all or nearly all the Lycaeninae, certainly by 

 members of each of its three tribes, and so far as 

 we know it is done by no other butterflies. The 

 darting, skipping flight of the Hesperidae is an- 

 other instance, as well as the odd style in which 

 the Pamphilini hold their wings when ahghted and 

 alert, the hind wings horizontal, the fore wings ver- 

 tical or oblique. Peculiarities of nest-building are 

 generally shared by a caterpillar with many allies, 

 perhaps by the whole tribe to which it belongs. 

 SHo-ht tricks of movement, as of the sudden elec- 

 trie flirting of the wings when alarmed, or of 

 the position of" the antennae, are shared by many. 

 This is equally true of the manner and place of 

 alighting. Who ever saw one of the Lycae- 

 nini settle instantaneously hke a Pamphilid? How 

 it doubts whether it has found the best place, 



