2 02 SOUTH- AFKIC AN BUTTEEFLIES. 



differs in having four of the hind-wing spots on the upper side well 

 defined, blackish, with large bluish-white centres (resembling those of 

 P. Kcrsliaivii, M'Coy, of Australia and New Zealand), and the two 

 largest of the same row on the under side coloured as usual, though not 

 quite complete. 



Intermediate between these extreme sports and the normal form 

 are three examples taken at Cape Town in 1866, 1873, and I 8 74 — 

 the first by myself — in which the fore-wing markings are scarcely 

 affected, but the hind-wing spots are minutely ocellate and externally 

 prolonged, so as to be confluent with the succeeding row of lunules. 



Larva. — Blackish, with numerous branched yellovj spines; two 

 faint-yellowish, longitudinal streaks along the back, and a brighter 

 yellow, broader, interrupted stripe on each side above the legs ; head 

 black ; segment next head not spined, four spines on both third and 

 fourth segments, seven on each segment from fifth to twelfth, four on 

 the last or anal segment ; legs reddish-ochreous ; under side greyish, 

 if or 2 inches long. Feeds on thistles, Malvacea', and other low 

 plants. Mrs. Barber informs me that at Highlands, near Grahamstown, 

 she noticed the principal food-plants of this caterpillar to be Urtica 

 dioica, Maha parvifiora, and Argyrolohium Andreicsianum. 



Pupa. — Cfreyish-ochreous, more or less gilded on the back and wing- 

 covers ; with three rows of brightly-gilded pointed tubercles down the 

 back. Suspended to plants, walls, &c. 



This well-knoAvn butterfly, the most widely distributed of all existing species, 

 is found in every part of South Africa, but I have nowhere seen it so numerous 

 as at Cape Town. At this place it is always to be met with throughout tlie 

 year, but is more abundant during the warmer months from September to March. 

 I have constantly noticed it sporting about during the fiercest south-east gales, 

 Avhen every other butterfly had long since been driven under shelter. It is 

 probable that this robust indifference to rough weather contributes to some 

 extent to the world-wide prevalence of the insect, which is, however, no doubt 

 mainly due to the polyphagous larvas beiug principally attached to such uni- 

 versal wayside weeds as thistles, mallows, and nettles. To these considerations 

 must be added its rapid and powerful flight and great activity. It is fond of 

 settling on bare open spots, and when at rest there with completely closed wings, 

 the mottled ochreous and white colouring of the under surface often admirably 

 serves to protect the butterfly from observation. I have more than once seen 

 Cardui far out at sea, on one occasion on a ship about ninety miles westward 

 of TenerifFe ; and it not only inhabits that island, but is found in the whole 

 series of Atlantic islands, from the Azores to St. Helena. 



The immense range of this species was formerly held to be truly cosmo- 

 politan ; but Mr. H. W. Bates (Jounial of Entomology, 1864, p. 181) has 

 recorded that the entire genus Pyrameis is absent from the great valley of the 

 Amazons, and also {teste \V. F. Kirby, Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond., 3d ser, i. p. 488, 

 1863) that the Brazilian insect often referred to P. Cardui is really a variety 

 of P. Hnntera, Fab., a very distinct member of the genus, extending through 

 the greater part of America generally. AA"e may accordingly be right perhaps 

 in excluding South America proper from Cardid's range, although Doubleday 

 {Gen. Diurn. Lep., i. p. 205) mentions the occurrence in Venezuela of a variety 

 named " Leachiana, Sommer, MSS." Australia and Xew Zealand are also now 

 regarded as beyond the limits of true Cardui, Professor M'Coy having in 1868 



