SATYRID^E. 185 



large in area, are of slender and delicate substance, presenting 

 none of the rigidity of nervures or tenseness of membrane so 

 observable in the last-named Family. The swollen or inflated 

 nervures in the fore- wing also form an excellent general 

 distinctive character, though many Genera do not possess 

 them, and, as will be seen hereafter, they are likewise found 

 in the Family EURYTELID.E. 



These Butterflies are usually of a darker or lighter shade 

 of brown, varied with spaces of brick-red or ochrey-yellow, 

 and with strongly-marked pupillate black spots in more or 

 less defined rings of a paler hue than the ground-colour. 

 The upper surface of the wings is thus generally remarkably 

 simple in pattern as compared with the majority of the 

 NYMPH ALID^E, but more variety is often found on the under- 

 side, which in some species is elaborately streaked (usually 

 in the hind- wings), and on which the ocellated spots are 

 commonly more distinct than above. 



Rich or glittering colouring is very rare in this Family, 

 though the single or geminate pupils of the ocellated spots 

 are usually more or less silvery. Satyrus Panda, Boisd., is 

 conspicuous for this latter ornament, the spots on the under- 

 surface of the hind-wings being brilliantly silver-centred.* 

 A semi-iridescent gloss over the general surface of the wings 

 is, however, not infrequent in this group. 



Most of the South African species inhabit open country, 

 some preferring low-lying tracts, others upland plains, and 

 several elevated mountain regions; but a few are forest-lovers, 

 some keeping to the coolest shades, while others delight in 

 sunny " opens." 



The whole group are remarkable for a weak and wavering 

 flight, seldom far from the ground, and only sustained for a 

 short distance at a time ; but I have noticed that those species 

 which do not possess the basal inflation of the nervures of 

 the fore-wings possess greater powers of flight and a more 

 robust structure generally. Indeed, these latter appear to 

 approach the MORPHID.E, a Family not represented in South 

 Africa, which is intermediate between the NYMPHALID^E and 

 SATYRID^:, and includes a number of the largest and most 

 splendid of known Butterflies. 



The SATYRID.E being almost exclusively grass-feeders in 

 their caterpillar state, many species are very abundant ; for 

 miles in some localities they occur in boundless profusion, 

 every other step rousing a specimen or two from the herbage. 



* Yphthima Hebe, mihi, is also ornamented in this manner both above and 

 below. 



