( XXIX ) 



therefore fully exposed in the resting position to the attacks 

 of insectivorous enemies. This could hardly fail to have an 

 important influence on their postures and colouring. To the 

 evidence lately adduced in favour of the selection by butterflies 

 of appropriate .surroundings for their concealment during 

 repose, he might add the testimony of Mr. R. M. Christy, who 

 observed a black and yellow ra2nlio choosing, after much 

 fluttering, to settle on a twig of Betula ylandulosa bearing 

 withered leaves of a similar yellow colour. (Proc. Ent. Soc. 

 Lond., 1885, p. ix.) There wei'e some interesting records by 

 Captain Clements, E.A.M.C, who observed that " Papilio 

 merope ^ almost invariably selects a broad-bladed grass, 

 striped with brown and yellow, and, hanging pendent from 

 its extremity with the wings folded, the upper ones being 

 covered over and concealed by the lower, it cannot be seen 

 until it is again startled into flight. Another butterfly, in this 

 case the female, which selects a resting-place which effectually 

 conceals it, is Catopsilia florella ; this yellow insect has small 

 round silvery spots surrounded by a narrow brown mar-gin on 

 its wings. When near a mango-tree, of which some few of 

 the leaves are of a bright yellow colour, dotted with spots 

 identical in colour, shape, and disposition with those above 

 described, it invariably selects these leaves for settling on, aud 

 is then very difficult to detect." (" On a Collection of Sierra 

 Leone Lepidoptera,'' by W, Schaus and W. G. Clements, Lon- 

 don, 1893.) The last observation, he thought, afforded a very 

 complete parallel with the case of Eronia cleodora ; and the 

 evidence collected from so many quarters appeared to be con- 

 clusive as to the prevalence, throughout a wide range of 

 species, of this habit or faculty of selection. 



The President, Mr. H. Rowland-Brown, Mr. G. C. Cham- 

 pion and other Fellows joined in the discussion. 



