202 SOUTH-AFRICAN LUTTEEFLIES. 
i 
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. Kershaivii, 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. — BlacJcish, with numerous branched ydloio 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, Malvaceae 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 'parviflora, and Argyrolohium Anclreiusiamim. 
Pupa. — Greyish-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-known 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 the 
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, 
when 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, Avliich is, however, no doubt 
mainly due to the polyphagous larvas being 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 
Cardid far out at sea, on one occasion on a ship about ninety miles Avestward 
of Tenerifie ; 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. Eates {Journal of Entomology, 1864, p. 181) has 
recorded that the entire genus Pyrameis is absent from the great valley of the 
Amazons, and also {teste \¥. 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, Huntera, Fab., a very distinct member of the genus, extending through 
the greater part of America generally. We may accordingly be right perhaps 
in excluding South America proper from Cardid's range, although Doubleday 
{Ge7i. Diurn. Lep., i. p. 205) mentions the occurrence in Venezuela of a variety 
named " Leachiana, Sommer, MSS." Australia and New Zealand are also now 
regarded as beyond the limits of true Cardui, Professor M'Coy having in 1868 
