( ^xii ) 



delia, Cram., XantJiidia nicijype, Cram., and Pyrisitiajyyoterpia, 

 Fabr. (America). The under surfaces of the " wet " and 

 " dry " 2)hases were in each case shown side by side, in order 

 to illustrate the vei'y general tendency in these and other 

 species to assume a reddish coloration beneath in the dry 

 season. This tendency was most marked in the American 

 forms shown, and least marked in the Indian; but was clearly 

 seen to be common to all three Continents. The reds varied 

 in character — sandy-orange, terra-cotta, Indian red and brick- 

 purple being all represented ; and the contrast with the 

 usually pale appearance of the under surface in the wet 

 season was in every case very distinct. 



Dr. Dixey remarked that it could hardly be doubted that 

 this infusion of red in the "dry-season" forms had a cryptic 

 significance, and stood in relation with the very general preva- 

 lence of a reddish coloration, mostly due to the presence of 

 iron, in the sandy wastes and bare patches of soil which 

 formed a prominent feature in the tropical and sub-tropical 

 regions inhabited by these and kindred species. He had himself 

 observed that when the dry -season form of Teo'acolus speciosns 

 settled on the red sandy soil of the "Bluff" at Durban, and 

 then closed its wings so as to conceal the whole of the fore-wing 

 except the tip, the unifoi'm red of the under surface as then 

 displayed made the insect very dilficult of detection. A 

 general redness of soil, recalling that of parts of the Devonian 

 system in England, was characteristic of large areas of the 

 African Continent ; and Dr. Longstaff had informed him that 

 similar conditions prevailed in India and China. The species 

 exhibited were generally ground-haunting ; and in all cases 

 the reddish tinge of the under surface extended to the tip of 

 the fore-wing as well as to the entire hind-wing, thus involving 

 just so much of the wings as was exposed during rest. He 

 considered that the present series of specimens tended to 

 illustrate and confirm Professor Poultou's view of the generally 

 cryptic character of "dry-season " phases. 



Fajjers, etc. 



Dr. T. A. Chapman read a paper entitled "Observations on 

 the Life History of Tricho2)tiIiis ^jcihidum, Zell." 



