100 Dr. G. B. Longstaff on 
themselves correctly so as to turn their tails to the sun. 
Of the minority, the one-fourth that settled otherwise than 
with tail to the sun, two were settled on the flowers of the 
wild hyacinth or “blue-bell” (Seil/a nutans, Sm.), and of 
these one was facing the sun. A third specimen, settled 
on flowers of lilac (Syringa persica), appeared to be quite 
indifferent to the sun’s direction. The fourth was at first 
settled facing the sun, but it very soon moved, settled 
again, and at once adjusted its position so as to be perfectly 
oriented with tail to the sun. I subsequently watched the 
same butterfly settle three times, the first time with tail 
turned to the sun correctly, but the second and third times 
it alighted on “ blue-bells” and did not orient itself. 
Vanessa urtice, L., was far less common and only two 
specimens offered themselves for observation, of which the 
first was twice seen to adjust itself to correct orientation, 
but the second, on the same lilac bush with the V. zo 
mentioned above, appeared like it to be indifferent to the 
sun’s direction. 
From the preceding observations it may fairly be in- 
ferred that Vanessa io (and probably also V. wrticx) when 
settled in full sunshine, except sometimes when feeding on 
flowers, habitually places itself so that its tail is directed 
towards the sun. As however the butterflies were not 
seen to close their wings over their backs nothing can be 
said as to the shadow question. 
The next species that came under my notice was 
Melitxa aurinia, Rott., which was very abundant in a 
restricted North Devon locality. All the specimens 
observed were settled on flowers or low plants. In the 
great majority of cases the wings were fully expanded, 
though a few had the fore-wings drawn back so as to form 
an approximation to the “Deltoid” shape. In order to 
secure perfect. fairness my method was to record the 
position of every specimen seen so long as the sun was 
shining brightly. Three series of observations were thus 
made, with the following results :— 
First Second Third 
j ; : Total 
series. series. series. 
Tail to sun. 13 29 69 111 
Side to sun. 9 6 9 Li 
Head to sun. 1 2 (0) 3 
Adjustments after settling were often noticed, occa- 
sionally repeated adjustments. When there was a wind 
