98 Dr. G. B. Longstaff on 
backgrounds of sand-paper of various colours to. imitate 
natural backgrounds of sand or rock.] 
Admitting the fact of Heliotropism a third possible 
explanation suggests itself. This special attitude exposes 
not only wings, but the insect’s body, most completely to 
the sun’s rays, and we may fairly suppose that such an 
essentially sun-loving creature as a butterfly finds them 
agreeable. To this explanation Dr. Dixey advances an at 
least partial objection, viz.: that when the wings are closed 
up both wings and body are east exposed to the sun’s rays. 
As the result of numerous observations made in Algeria 
in February and March 1905, I satisfied myself that : 
Except early in the day, or when the sun is dull, 
or when feeding on flowers, Pararge meone, Cr., 
settles with the axis of the body turned so that the 
tail points more or less accurately to the sun, there- 
fore when the wings are raised, in the attitude of 
repose ... the shadow is reduced to insignificant 
dimensions.* 
After somewhat intimate acquaintance with P. meone, 
Cr.,in Algeria, it was pleasant, in May 1905, to study its 
northern form P. xgeria, L., which is common in and about 
my garden at Mortehoe, North Devon, and this was the 
more pleasant because our butterfly is undeniably much 
more beautiful than its southern sister. 
I have notes on ten specimens observed, and it may be 
instructive to give them in detail. 
May 3. Observed two P. xgeria; one settled several 
times with tail to the sun, the other was less 
particular. 
May 9. Saw exgeria settled with wings open and tail 
directed towards the sun. 
May 15..Saw one specimen of wxgeria settle twice 
with fairly accurate orientation ; another specimen 
settled first accurately oriented; then it settled 
again with the body nearly at right angles to, but 
with the head somewhat towards, the sun; thirdly 
it settled again at right angles, but with its head 
turned to the opposite side. 
May 19. Watched three specimens of xgeria and saw 
each of them orient itself accurately twice. The 
same day I saw another specimen orient itself four 
times. 
* Proceedings Ent. Soc. Lond., 1905, p. xxix. 
