THE BUTTERFLIES AND MOTHS OF AFRICA. 231 
turn to the splendid group of the Saturniide, or ocellated 
Silk-worm Moths, allied to our Emperor Moth (Saturnia 
Pavonia-minor). ‘These are represented in Africa by a great 
variety of species, and though gregarious, are in many in- 
stances very scarce in collections, owing perhaps to their 
nocturnal habits, and to many of the larve feeding on forest 
trees. Natal is rich in peculiar species, not found further 
north. Among these is Actias Mimose, a green species with 
long tails. All the other species of this genus are found in 
South-Eastern Asia and North America, except A. Isabelle, 
which occurs equally isolated from its alliesin Spain. At 
Sierra Leone we meet with two very remarkable tailed brown 
species, the nearest allies of which are found in South America. 
These are Hudemona Argus and H. Argiphontes, the latter of 
which has a tail on the hind wings of the male which measures 
nearly six inches in length, the expanse of the fore wings 
being only about three inches. Both these insects are very 
rare, although H. Argus has been known for more than a 
century; but I believe that there are more species of this 
peculiar group to be found in Western Africa than have yet 
been discovered. I am glad to add that one of the most 
beautiful species of the African Saturniide, Henucha Grimmia, 
which has hitherto béen only known from a figure published 
fifty years ago, was rediscovered last year in an out-of-the- 
way district m South Africa. It is not a large insect, but 
has brown fore wings mottled with white, and ornamented 
with zigzag white markings, and the hind wings are red at 
the base. ; 
The Fauna of Hast Africa possesses many remarkable 
species of butterflies and moths peculiar to itself, but com- 
paratively few peculiar genera. As I have said, it is much 
poorer than that of the West Coast, and its affinities with 
India are stronger. Madagascar, too, is richer in peculiar 
species than in peculiar genera. 
And now I have only to thank you for the attention with 
which you have listened to what I fear has been far too much 
a mere catalogue of names. I have endeavoured to make my 
subject interesting, but unless you have a full series of illus- 
trative specimens before you, it is difficult to make the best 
of any technical subject. I might perhaps have extended my 
paper to a greater length; but I fear you have found it quite 
long enough already. 
