214 [February, 
has suddenly begun. Not only are flies buzzing about you, but active 
SesperiidcB (the last of butterflies to retire to rest, and the earliest to 
rise)^are darting about the sun-lit leaves of the mango and orange trees. 
As you watch one of these " skippers," which is conspicuous from its 
size and white markings, you are surprised to find him abruptly disap- 
pear. You watch for a little, and he is about again in a wonderful 
bustle, but only to vanish as mysteriously as before. On this occasion 
you mark the exact leaf on which he seemed to settle for an instant . 
when you are close to it, you see the leaf quiver a little, — there is 
something underneath it : — you stoop to look, and there is the butter 
fly clinging to the underside of the leaf, with all his wings expanded 
as neatly as those of one in your cabinet.* This is no freak of an 
individual, for you soon observe several others conducting themselves 
in precisely the same manner. And now the Pieridcd begin to appear ; 
first the white and yellow Pieris Agathina, and, soon after, P. Severina ; 
and these, with an occasional Danais Mcheria floating about, hold the 
ground till the forenoon is well advanced. Then a grand outburst of 
Lepidopfera takes place, quite bewildering one with their number and 
variety, but chiefly belonging to the PieridcB. Among the herbage 
numerous bright yellow Terias are slowly flitting, the more active 
species of Fieris and beautiful red-tipped AntJwcharis, pursue each 
other about the flowers, while swift white or yellow Callidryades and 
EronicB hurry past like meteors. The Nymphalidce are tolerably 
numerous in species, though not in individuals ; four Junonics, two 
Diademce, JEunica Natalensis, and an occasional rapid Nymphalis or 
FJiilognoma contributing to swell the Rhopalocerous gathering ; while 
numerous Lyccenidce, perched on the blossoms, or chasing each other 
in the air, add their colour and life to the scene. Nor are butterflies 
alone conspicuous ; several day-flying moths, more than rivalling them 
in brilliancy, are whirring through the clear air, or busily rifling the 
nectaries of flowers; the most striking being the large, glittering 
" Burnet," Glaucopsis formosa, and the splendid Egyholia Vaillantiana, 
shot with metallic green and purple, and barred with intense orange. 
Tou are struck with the scarcity of active Coleopterous life at this 
season ; though, as will be seen hereafter, at a later period of the year 
there is no ground for complaint in this respect. At present, the 
smaller Cetoniidce principally attract notice, with their heads buried 
among the florets of composite flowers. Tou must dig among decaying 
wood, if you would see the larger members of the Lucanidoe, Elateridce, 
and other forest-loving beetles. 
* This habit, even more than their rapid— but much-interrupted — flight, must be of great service 
to the numerous Hcsj^eriitlfe that exhibit it, in enabling them to escape from pursuing or observant 
enemies. It is only constant among those tliat cany all the wings fully expanded when settled, and 
which are thus most liable to attract notice. — R. T. 
