HESPERID^. 
285 
central largest and nearer to outer than inner spot (the reverse being the 
case in Vindex) ; above central spot is one on costa, composed of tvjo 
short lineolce, no trace of which exists in any example of Vindex; row 
of spots beyond middle, including an additional dot (just above third 
median nervule), and more curved inwardly, so that the two lowest 
spots come in line with central cellular spot and that above it, — the 
lowest spot largest, while in Vindex the last but one is invariaUy the 
largest in the row ; an interrupted submarginal row of dots, hut no 
vestige of the row immediately before cilia; spot beneath first cellular 
one wholly wanting. Hind-wing : transverse stripe commencing on 
costa, interrupted on first subcostal nervule, very much attenuated 
inferiorly ; dot in cell near base small, indistinct ; row of dots as 
in fore-wing. Under side. — Fore-wing : apical colour warmer, less 
inclining to greyish. Hind-ioing : ground-colour more including to ful- 
vous (markedly so in some specimens) ; first stripe near base narrow, 
but joining basal white edging on costa ; second irregular and den- 
ticulated, but continuous from costa to inner-marginal stripe, which is 
greyish rather than white ; some fuscous variegation of ground-colour, 
especially on edges of stripes and spots of submarginal row, which 
latter are somewhat enlarged, though ill defined. 
In the disposition and relative sizes of the discal series of spots 
in the fore-wing, and in the form and direction of the two white 
bands on the under side of the hind- wing, Asterodia is not unlike 
Dromus, Plotz; but, on the upper side, the much smaller and 
duller white markings (and especially the very much narrower and 
longer median stripe of the hind-wing) give it a totally different 
aspect, and the differences above emphasised seem constantly to sepa- 
rate it from both Vindex and Dromus. Its smaller size is also a dis- 
tinction. 
I discovered this Pyrgm at Plettenberg Bay as long ago as 1859. It 
frequented marshy plains about a stream called the Bitouw River, settling 
constantly on the flowers of low plants. It has not since occurred to me in 
life, and but very few^ examples have reached me from correspondents, although 
the species seems to be of tolerably wide distribution. 
Localities of Pyrgus Asterodia. 
I. South Africa. 
B. Cape Colony. 
a Western Districts. — Breede River, Swellendam District (L. Taats). 
Plettenberg Bay. 
6. Eastern Districts. — Between Zwartkops and Coega Rivers, 
Uitenhage District H. Boivker). Grahamstown [M. E. Bar- 
ber). Burghersdorp {D. R. Kannemeyer). 
d. Basutoland. — Koro-Koro {J. H. Boivker). 
K. Transvaal. — Potchefstroom {W. Morant diinX T. Ayres). 
