50 
SOUTH-AFRICAN BUTTERFLIES. 
Lysimon, Hiibn., may be regarded as the type, its under side being of 
similar pattern tliougli more strongly marked. The species, however, 
with which it best agrees in the under-side markings, is L. lucida, 
Trim. ; but, as compared with the latter, it has a somewhat more 
yellowish tint, and its hind-wing markings are less distinct, not having 
black centres. The topper side, however, is quite unlike that of any 
species in the Lysimon group, and, indeed, that of any other known 
Lyccena, both sexes presenting on a Uackisli ground the under-side pattern 
in finely-depicted white anoiulets and spots. In the total absence of 
blue in both sexes, and in its very small size, Z. stellata resembles L. 
Metophis, Wallengr,, and L. Barter cb, Trim. ; but its under side is of 
very different pattern, and quite wants the row of metallic-dotted ocelli 
so conspicuous in the hind-wing of those two species. 
I am indebted for the knowledge of this most interesting little butterfly 
to Dr. D. R. Kannemeyer, who noticed it for the first time in November 
1882, and sent me, in February 1883, two specimens to identify. On receipt 
of my reply he several times visited the spot (about a mile from the village 
of Burghersdorp, in the Albert District) which the species frequented, and 
by the first week in March had captured a considerable number of examples 
of both sexes. Dr. Kannemeyer describes the insect as being numerous in 
this special haunt of a few yards in extent. The ground is near a brook, and 
sedgy ; and the little Lyccena kept flying about some leguminous and other 
flowers, close to the ground, in a rapid, jerky manner and in a circular direc- 
tion. In these respects it evidently much resembles its even minuter con- 
geners, L. Barheroe, Trim., and L. Metophis, Wallengr. ^ 
Locality of Lycmna stellata. 
I. South Africa. 
B. Cape Colony. 
h. Eastern Districts. — Burghersdorp, Albert District {D. R. Kan- 
nemeyer). 
143. (25.) Lycaena Gaika, Trimen. 
^ Lyccena Lysimon, Wallengr., K. Sv. Vet.-Akad. Handl., 1857, Lep. 
Rhop. Caffr., p. 39. 
^Lyccena Gaika, Trim., Trans. Ent. Soc. Loud., 3d Ser., i. p. 403 (1862). 
^ , $ Lyccena Lysimon, Trim., Rhop. Afr. Aust., ii. p. 256, n. 158, pi. 4, f. 7 
[(?](i866). 
Lyccena pygmcea, Snellen, "Tijdschnft voer Ent., xix. p. 153, 6, 7 f. 3 
(1876);" Moore \Zizera pygmcea\ Lep. Ceylon, ii. p. 78, pi. 35, ff. 5, 
5a[c?](i88i). 
Exp. al, {$) 9-io-J lin. ; ($) 9-1 1 lin. 
J Pale-Uue ; a hrownish-grey horder (of variaUe width in fore-wing) 
on hind-margins; cilia tuhitish ; hind-wing tailless. Under side. — 
1 In April 1883 Dr. Kannemeyer wrote that he had found the true home of the Stel- 
lata in the plateau of the Stormberg range, eight miles east of Burghersdorp, At Botma's 
Farm it occurred in great abundance, frequenting a minute leguminous plant (probably a 
Tri folium) growing in moist places. This plant is almost certainly the food of the larva, 
the butterfly keeping about it exclusively. Dr. Kannemeyer also noticed the insect at the 
farm Kulfontein, six miles further eastward. 
