some Rcst-attitudcs of Butterflies. lOl 



they settled at first with their heads to it, one butterfly 

 succeeding in orienting itself only after much struggle. 

 When the sun was not shining they were often noted 

 settled at right angles to its direction. 



In the case of M. aitrinia, under the circumstances in 

 which the butterfly occurred, it is difficult to see that the 

 amount of shadow thrown could have boon of any moment, 

 though doubtless its colours would show up more if the 

 under-sides of the hind-wings when at rest had the sun 

 shining directly on them rather than tangentially. 



Tlie recent visit of the British Association to South 

 Africa gave me more extended opportunities ; it gave me 

 moreover the advantage of Dr. F. A. Dixey's co-operation, 

 which was the more valuable by reason of his great 

 patience in observing and careful accuracy in recording 

 results. 



Eurytela hiarhas, Dru., is a Nymphalid butterfly, with 

 a very Satyrine aspect and habits not unlike those of 

 P.iegeria. It is common in woods round East London and 

 Durban, affecting partial shade. At East London I saw it 

 in a small wood within 100 yards of high-water mark. It 

 does not seem to be attracted by flowers, but moves about 

 bushes with a slow gliding flight ; it may settle on leaves, 

 or on the ground, the Avings being commonly three-fourths 

 expanded, though sometimes more fully. When thus 

 settled the wings are often slowly shut in part and again 

 opened, though I never saw them quite shut. On at least 

 three several days they were noted to have their tails 

 turned to the sun, but the orientation was imperfect, often 

 15°-30° out, and occasionally they settled with the body 

 axis at right angles to the sun. 



Precis elelia, Cr., is a Nymphalid butterfly that is common 

 and widely distributed in South Africa. The dark upper 

 surface of the wing is rendered very conspicuous by white 

 spots near the tip of the fore-wing and a large blue spot on 

 the hind-wing, but the under-side is marbled with shades 

 of light grey and is very quiet and unobtrusive. As 

 regards its habits I cannot do better than quote Dr. 

 Dixey's very graphic account of its behaviour as observed 

 in " the Old Cemetery," at Sydenham, near Durban, in the 

 middle of August : — 



Common at one spot in the cemetery. It has a habit 

 of flying a little way, sometimes in pursuit of 

 another butterfly, making a round and returning to 



