10 LYCAINIDZ. 
abnormal as its larva, being pale green, almost half a hemisphere in shape, with a short 
projection at one end, and looks very like a lump of jelly. 
Most fortunately in the imagines of the Zycenide the markings of the underside of the 
opposite sexes aye usually the same, otherwise, owing to the very great diversity which usually 
obtains in the markings and coloration of the upperside in the males and females, it would be 
almost impossible in many cases to correctly pair the species. The females are almost always 
much duller-coloured on the upperside than the males, dull browns and black frequently 
prevailing. The general coloration of the males is usually some shade of blue or purple, but many 
other colours are found, red and yellow being common, green very rare, that colour being 
still less frequently met with on the underside. It is found inthe European TZhecla rubi, 
Linneeus, the ‘‘Green Hairstreak,’ and in the Indian Zehera eryx, Linnzus. Green is, I 
believe, never found on the upperside of females in the Zycenide. In size the Zycenide include 
the smallest known butterflies, some species expanding less than half an inch when the wings are 
wide outspread. The majority of the species are about an inch in expanse, while a few 
reach two inches, which may be considered to be a large size. One Indian species, 
Liphyra brassolis, Westwood, is as aberrant in size as it is in other characters, being the only 
known species of the family which exceeds three inches in total expanse. Asa family, the 
Lycenide are remarkable for their often excessive abundance in individuals, in this respect 
outnumbering any other family ; and for their extensive range over the earth’s surface, as 
they occur in the coldest and hottest regions, and often reach the highest mountain altitudes. 
Their colouring is also often most brilliant, metallic shades of green and blue are found almost 
equalling the glories of the South-American A/erfhos on a small scale. The patterns of the 
undersides are often most intricate and involved, metallic spots frequently abounding. With 
regard to the habits of the Zycentde a very large proportion of them are found in open meadow 
or grass land, this being especially the case in temperate climates. A good many species 
in the tropics are also found in similar localities, but by far the greater number frequent 
trees and bushes, especially open spots or paths in forests and overhanging trees by road sides. 
As usual the rich forests which clothe the slopes of the Himalayas, especially to the eastwards, 
produce the greatest number and most beautiful species, this being especially the case at an 
elevation of from two to four thousand feet. The males of most of the Zvcensd@ are patti- 
cularly fond of sucking up the moisture from the damp sandy sides of hill streams, hence 
that sex is by far the commoner in collections ; the females probably fly much less than the 
males and keep more to the jungles, settling on trees and bushes where they are difficult to 
follow and to catch. Allthe butterflies of this family have the habit, when first settled, of rubb- 
ing the hindwings one over the other, the motion being apparently more or less rotary. Mr. 
Trimen notes on the subject : ‘* This curious habit is practised by every member of the family 
that I have watched when settled, and it seems not improoable—looking to the 
brilliant eye-like metallic spot and (very often) adjacent tail or tails at the posterior angle 
of the hindwing of these butterflies—that the movement may serve to accentuate these 
ornaments, either in rivalry or in menace.” (South-African Butterflies, vol. i. p. 30, footnote.) 
Mr. Scudder thinks that the action may cause a stridulation, which, though inaudible to our ears, 
may be heard by insects. The habit of closing the wings when at rest amongst the Zycenide 
is by no means universal ; large numbers rest with wings fully expanded or half open to show off 
the brilliant colouring of the upperside. The more robustly-constructed Lycenide have an extre- 
mely rapid flight, so fast indeed that the eye can hardly follow them ; but these flights are not 
usually of long duration or for any great distance ; the butterflies soon settle again. The species 
which live amongst the grass have usually a weak flight and are easily caught. These latter em- 
brace what are called in England the “ Blues.” Of quite a different habit are the “Hair-streaks ;” 
they have a rapid flight, and hardly ever settle on the ground, being almost always found on 
bushes or low trees. They seldom come to flowers, and to discover them it is often necessary 
to beat the trees or bushes affected by them to make them fly. The great Oriental genus 
Arhopala, Boisduval, amongst others, can only be caught in this way ; even the males never seem ¢, 
