X PEEFACE. 



Cape, tliis lady had a wide acquaiutance with South-African 

 Natural History generally, and in 1 863 turned her attention 

 specially to the Lepidoptera. With characteristic generosity — 

 knowing that I was engaged in bringing out a book on the 

 subject — Mrs. Barber offered me the fullest aid, and constantly 

 since then have her net, pen, and artistic pencil been actively 

 engaged iu furtherance of my work. Of special value have 

 proved her graphic accounts of the habits and stations of the 

 butterflies of the Eastern Districts of the Cape Colony, where 

 she has chiefly resided, and her excellent coloured drawings of 

 larvae and pupae, some of which are reproduced in Plates I. and 

 I.I. of this volume. My friend's strong love of nature and keen 

 observant powers are happily shared by her daughter, Mrs. 

 Bailie, and her two sons, Mr. Frederick and Mr. Henry Barber ; 

 and many of the most interesting captures and discoveries 

 recorded by Mrs. Barber are due to their enthusiastic co-opera- 

 tion as collectors and observers. Mr. F. and Mr. H. Barber 

 have also independently rendered me much service by sending 

 down several collections made in the Transvaal and the country 

 northward to the Zambesi. 



The principal material at my disposal has been as follows 

 in respect of the various South- African territories named ; and 

 I must ask the donors who may see these pages to excuse the 

 brevity with which their valued contributions of specimens and 

 notes (and in some cases drawings also) are of necessity here 

 gratefully acknowledged : — 



Great Namaqualand. — A small series from Mr. W. C. 

 Palsfrave. 



o 



Cape Colony ( Western Districts). — Collections from the 

 neighbourhood of Cape Town, besides those made by myself 

 for many years : — Mr. C. A. Fairbridge, Senior Trustee of the 

 South-African Museum ; Mr. E. L. Layard, formerly Curator 

 of the Museum ; the late Mr. H. W. Oakley, Assistant to the 

 Curator. 



