104 Dr. G. B. Longstafif o)i 



aiding its concealment by breaking up the surface. One 

 was observed to walk about on mud regardless of the sun's 

 direction, but it finally settled down with tail to the sun 

 and wings spread out in the usual way. 



[Ahisara (Zcmcros) ficgyas, Cr., a common oriental 

 Erycinid, has a strikingly similar pattern to the last- 

 named Nymphalid, but I do not know what its favourite 

 resting-places are.] 



Pyramcis cardui, L. I summed up my observations on 

 this butterfly in Algeria in the following words : — 



I can confidently say that it generally settles with its 



tail to the sun, though it does not do this with the 



regularity of Pararge mconc. I saw two specimens 



turn their faces to the sun, and saw a third settle 



twice with its body at right angles, though the 



third time it settled normally.* 



Ai Durban, on August 21st, I watched this cosmoj^olitan 



butterfly orient, but full weight must be given to the 



following very definite observation of Dr. Dixey's when 



watching lizards : — 



Ladysmith (North East Defences), Aug. 27th, watched 

 several P. cardui, which settled frequently. They 

 would settle at any angle with regard to the sun, 

 but perhaps rather more often with back to it. They 

 fanned their wings, and often shut them up tight 

 (keeping them so for some time) in any position 

 with regard to the sun. 

 This was late in the afternoon, but I do not gather from 

 Dr. Dixey (nor from personal recollection) that the sun- 

 light was feeble, or that there was a strong wind, or that 

 the butterflies were feedinof or drinkingf — all disturbing 

 causes. There can I think be no doubt that the habit 

 of heliotropism is not as fixed in " The Painted Lady " 

 as in many Nymphalids. 



Among our notes on heliotropism there are but three 

 references to Pierines. The first is interesting as tending 

 to negative the suggestion that the purpose of licliotropism 

 is to minimize the butterfly's shadow and so aid in its 

 concealment. Dr. Dixey writes : — 



Durban (The Bluff), August 16th. Teracolus ione, 



Godt. (sjMciosus, Wallengr. = jobina, Butl.) $. 



When first seen it was settled in the sunshine 



with wings expanded ; then it flew a short distance 



* Proc. Ent. Soc. Lond., 1905, p. xxix. 



