46 
SOUTH-AFRICAN BUTTERFLIES. 
edged. Hind-iving : three minute ocelli near base, forming with that 
in discoidal cell a short row across wing ; base blackish-dusted. 
$ Shining greyish-brown ; inner-marginal area of both ivings more 
or less suffused with violet-hlue from base. Fore-iuing : a fuscous line 
closing discoidal cell. Under side. — Quite similar to that of ^, but 
all the spots more conspicuouSj especially the marginal lunular rows. 
Fore-wing : spot below that in discoidal cell always present, often 
distinct. 
The J varies slightly in depth of colour and in the width of hind- 
marginal dark border ; ^ but the $ varies very greatly both as regards 
extent and tint of the bine suffusiouj which in some examples is 
scarcely perceptible, while in others it occupies the larger part of both 
wings, numerous intermediate grades of development occurring. 
It seems probable that this butterfly is the Otis of Fabricius (1787), but 
it is impossible to decide the point from that author's descriptions. Judging 
from the descriptions and figures (in Proc. Zool. Soc. Loud., 1865, p. 505, 
pi. 31, f. 7, $ , and Lejy. Ceglon, 1881, p. 77, pi. 35, ff. 6, 6a, am further 
of opinion that the Polyommatus Karsandi'a of Moore is identical with 
Lysimon. There were certainly specimens not separable from the latter in 
Mr. E. L. Layard's Cingalese collection, and I have also seen individuals 
from various parts of India. 
Both sexes of Lysimon are readily distinguishable from ILessapus, Godt., 
by the more whitish cilia, and the rather paler and more conspicuously 
spotted under side ; and the by its very much broader dark hind-marginal 
border on the upper side. On the under side, moreover, Lysimon has the 
discal row of ocellate spots very much more curved superiorly, and possesses 
a spot in the discoidal cell of the fore-wings wholly wanting in Messapus. 
This little Lyccena is scarce about Cape Town, but commoner further to 
the eastward. It frequents gardens and waste land, and is fond of settling 
on the ground in damp grassy depressions or almost dry ditches. It is 
mainly a species of the late summer and early autumn (February to April), 
but I have met with it as early as the middle of September, and Mr. D' Urban 
took it in British Kaffraria in June. The only South- African locality in 
which I have met the insect at all abundantly is Plettenberg Bay, on the 
south coast of the Cape Colony. Mr. J. M. Hutchinson in 1882 sent me the 
sexes captured in copula at Estcourt, Natal. 
The only differences presented by South-African from European examples 
are an average rather larger size and a more distinct spotting on the under 
side ; and the same is the case as regards Mauritian and Indian specimens, 
which quite agree with those from South Africa. In Mauritius, Lysimon is 
most abundant ; I found it on waste lands all over the island, and it also 
congregated on grass lawns in gardens. 
Localities of Lycmna Lysimon. 
I. South Africa. 
B. Cape Colony. 
a. Western Districts. — Cape Town. Worcester. Robertson (J. E. 
C. Hodges). Swellendam [A. C. LLarrisoii). Knysna. Plet- 
tenberg Bay. Clanwilliam {L. Peringuey). 
^ Two specimens taken in Zululand by Colonel Bowker have the border darker and 
broader than in any other South-African examples that have come under my notice. 
