176 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, 1891. 



The order in which Mr. de Nicevillc has placed these butterflies 

 gives the " feeble" ones precedence. Most of the " blues" are of small 

 size ; some are, as far as is yet known, the smallest of the whole butterfly 

 tribe. None in this country exceed a breadth of more than 3*10 inches, 

 aud this is only reached in Liphyra brassolis, which, in appearance 

 at any rate, hardly seems to be either a " blue," a " copper," or a 

 " hair-streak," though it is one nevertheless. This family has many 

 interesting features about it, the chief, I think, being the way in 

 which many of their larvas are attended by ants. Some very 

 interesting instances are given in Mr. de NiceVille's valuable work. 

 It is also stated in Mr. de NiceVille's work ( page 56, Vol. III., 

 Butterflies of India, Burmah and Ceylon) that a carnivorous larva 

 has been discovered in Ceylon, though this requires confirmation. 

 It would be most interesting to know if this statement has been since 

 verified. Very many of the butterflies of this family arc adorned wi( li 

 lobes and tails varying in number and length. Of the tails some 

 look just as if they were mere prolongations of the hair-like fringe 

 which border the wings, while others are as long or longer than the 

 depth of the hindwing to which they are always attached, and are 

 curled and feathered in various ways. All the butterflies of this 

 family have the habit of moving their hind wings one over the other 

 when settled, something like the motion gone through with one's 

 hands when making up a pellet in the palms. "When this is done the 

 opposite tails and lobes come in contact and are agitated. It is 

 probably done to show off their ornaments, just as the peacock 

 spreads its tail and rattles its feathers. Very many have the hind- 

 wings decorated with eyes, and the motion is evidently gone through 

 with a view to display all the ornaments to the greatest advantage. 

 Numbers of these little butterflies, especially the males, are fond of 

 alighting on the ground where it is damp and there sucking up f&@ 

 moisture. Just outside the bath-room, which is always more or less 

 moist, is a favorite spot for many varieties, and the} r share this 

 predeliction with many of the family of the " whites " aud some 

 of the " swallow-tails," as will be noticed hereafter. 



53. Chtiades tains, Cramer (672). This butterfly is very common 

 almost everywhere, and is a very tiny insect. It flutters about the 

 grass and low bushes, but is a pretty little creature nevertheless. 



