A LIST OF THE BOMBAY BUTTERFLIES IN THE SOCIETY'S COLLECTION. 129 



of superstition is not confined to us, lords of creation, and I am disposed 

 to think mary insects save tlieir lives by availing themselves of it. This 

 butterfly is a great traveller, as indeed are all the Danaince. They are 

 often to be seen crossing Bombay Harbour from one island to another, 

 and it is a curious question whether they see the land in the distance, or 

 go in the spirit of Columbus. 



SATYRlNvS!. 



7. Melanilis leda. — This and the next are Insects of the dusk, coming: 

 out after the sun is down and dancing round the roots of trees in 

 company after the manner of fairies. A little later they come out of their 

 hunts aud fly straight up into the sky as far as eye can follow them, for 

 what purpose I cannot guess. They are thirsty creatures, and will gather 

 in numbers where water has been spilt on the ground, but they prefer 

 whiskey. I have found the larva of this feeding on grass. It is difficult 

 to find, being a night feeder and very shy. As the species of grass on 

 which it feeds grows during the monsoon only, except where there is 

 water, this species is in season all the latter part of the rainy season, 

 and in some places for a short they almost jostle each other for room. 

 About October, when vegetation is drying up, it gives place to the next. 



8. M. ismene. — This is very similar to the last in its habits, and 

 quite as common, more so on the hills. I am aware that they are 

 supposed to be one species, but on this point I have not given in yet. 

 I have noticed it on alighting fall over on one side until it was almost 

 horizontal, which very much enhanced its likeness to a dead leaf. 



9. Lethe ncelgherriensis. — In the month of March this is very plentiful 

 on the ghats, but it is not confined to them. I have caught it in the 

 neighbourhood of Bombay. It is similar in habits to the last two. 



10. Lethe europct. — There is only one specimen of this in the collection, 

 and nothing to show where it came from. I have not met with it. 



11. Mycalesis perseas. — I have nothing to note about this species. I 

 have caught it in Bombay and elsewhere, but it is not common. 



12. Ypthima philomela. — This is a humble butterfly, flying along the 

 ground in shady places, but it is not specially crepuscular. It is common 

 in the cold season at Poona, and I think on the hills everywhere. 



13. Telchinia violce. — This is not very common, but a few appear just 

 before the hot season in Bombay and wherever I have been. I met with 

 some at Mahableshwar last March. It seems generally to be on a journey 

 going steadily in one direction with a feeble flight, but it will stop to sip 

 a flower and is easily caught. I believe it is, like the Danaince, offensive to 

 birds and reptiles. 



