574 
BIONOMIC NOTES 
head downwards. In some Butterflies, notably Euchloe and Synchloe , 
when the creature is at rest the hind-wings (which almost conceal 
the fore-wings) do not approach the stem on which it sits, but the 
abdomen is elevated some 30° to 40° and quite concealed between 
the hind-wings. This attitude greatly increases the similarity of the 
insect to a leaf. 1 
The notes of a number of observations on common English Butter¬ 
flies, kindly placed at my disposal by Dr. Dixey, may be quoted 
here— 
1897, July 12. Mortehoe. S. semele ; flight more rapid than that 
of II. janira ; it is also more apt to settle. When settling, 
chooses if possible a bit of grey rock or bare pathway. Sits 
with antennae expanded and projecting forwards, body raised 
somewhat on legs. At first settling, eye-spot of fore-wing 
generally just appears; then by a definite sharp movement the 
wings are further closed, and the eye-spot is visible no longer. 
II janira as a rule shows eye-spot while resting [i.e. during 
temporary rest in daytime]. 
July 13. Mortehoe. Watched V. urticae at rest, quite 5 minutes 
without stirring. It raised its wings but did not completely 
close upper-wing behind lower, so leaving a (roughly) equiva¬ 
lent triangle of upper-wing showing, including the whole of 
the dark costal mark. 
July 14. Mortehoe. H. hyperanthus at rest shows eye-spot of 
fore-wing, like H. janira \i.e. at temporary rest]. 
At 8.25 p.m. saw H. janira settle down to rest. Eye-spot of fore¬ 
wing quite concealed. 
July 15. Mortehoe. Saw H. janira settled (in sunshine) with 
eye-spot of fore-wing quite covered. 
Saw G . napi settled with about half of discoidal cell of fore-wing 
showing. Afterwards saw one with only tip of fore-wing 
showing. 
August 11. Mortehoe. P. megaera at rest does not shut up like 
S. semele (at least not during temporary rest in hours of flight). 
It usually sits with wings almost completely expanded. 
Aug. 13. Mortehoe. Saw II. tithonus at rest; wings entirely 
closed up. A cloudy evening. 
1898, August 9. Mortehoe. Saw H. tithonus , <?, settled on a 
bramble-leaf in sunshine, eye-spot showing. Cloud came 
over the sun, and tithonus shut up, eye-spot becoming invisible. 
1 See above, p. 162, and Plate V., Fig. 10. 
