Baiestow . Natural History Notes from South Africa. IIS 



only on a huge species of thistle, with variegated leaves, occurring 

 gregariously in nests. This immediate district I do not consider a first- 

 rate one for butterflies; and certainly not a patch on Uiteuage— of 

 which more anon — twenty miles away. 



Indeed the butterflies of South Africa altogether did not strike me 

 as being particularly rich in natural development or of number of 

 species. I doubt not that a casual observer in his world-wide travels 

 would under-estimate our hJwpalocera. Howbeit my remarks require 

 qualifying, for I have not yet been privileged to reach elysium — Natal. 

 The butterflies found a worthy historian in Trimen. An entomologist 

 diving for the first time into RJiop. Af. Jns. pronounces the description 

 wordy and tedious. Each succeeding dip convinces him contrariwise. 

 They are admirable and exhaustive. A combination of Triraen's 

 descriptions and Vollenhoven's figures for a scientific insect biography 

 approximates perfection. Very many orders are strangely neglected 

 here, but the butterflies cannot reasonably complain. Such names as 

 D' Urban, Bowker, Barber, Anderson, Fairbridge, Wentworth, and 

 others, went far in scoring on their behalf a literary success. I grant 

 a slight disappointm^ent concerning the butterflies of South Africa, but 

 don't misunderstand, " coming events cast their shadows before." 

 Shades of expected nymphs cast an all too beauteous effect on my ex- 

 ulting dreams, 'ere I left the old country. 



View a noble Papilio Meropa^ restlessly wafting his creamy wings 

 upon a subtle air-wave ; darting sv>^iftly, mockingly beneath, to rise 

 again, proud aristocrat, with lordly, aye, majestic ease ; swooping again 

 in sportive mood ; swelling (?) his imperial thorax, flaunting his glis- 

 tening robes, as if to scorn the weakly efforts, vulgar improprieties, 

 forsooth ! of incapable underlings, who strive to emulate, but fail to 

 imitate their chief's example. 



Or the modest Jyycceaa palemon^\ butterfly Tom Thumb, pretty little 

 chap, flitting amongst sequestered uncanny nooks, " quaffing fragrant 

 nectar from the cups of gold " of pygmean flowers ; ascertaining himself 

 — 6o;?Z(rbody — caring for — ?^obody — exacting not homage but forcing 

 respect. Now, lover of the beautiful, stern moraliht, doff your hat, 

 clap hands on heart, kiss the book and swear an unrestricted allegiance 

 to the race. My best takes or observations in the district are Pier is 

 agatJihia (1), Pin'is leverma (1), Eronia Eleodora (profuse where it 

 occurs), Ttrias Rahel, Meneris Tulbagliia (placed by Trimen amongst the 



* Not seen in Port Elizabeth. Common, Perie bush, (a grand hunting ground) 

 and Zuurburg fond of woods. Expands Sin. 6lin. 



t Smallest South African species. Occurs in Port Elizabeth. I have one 

 epecimen under 7iHn. 



