104 Dr. G. B. Longstaff on 
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. 
[Abisara (Zemeros) flegyas, 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. ] 
Pyrameis 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 meone. 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.* 
At Durban, on August 21st, I watched this cosmopolitan 
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. cardut, 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 feeding or drinking—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 heliotropism 
is to minimize the butterfly’s shadow and so aid in its 
concealment. Dr. Dixey writes :— 
Durban (The Bluff), August 16th. Zeracolus tone, 
Godt. (speciosus, Wallengr. = jobina, Butl.) ¢. 
When first seen it was settled in the sunshine 
with wings expanded; then it flew a short distance 
* Proc. Ent. Soe. Lond., 1905, p, xxix. 
