BUTTERFLIES OF THE CENTRAL PROVINCES: 23 



and I think that almost as many other species as those I have 

 obtained may eventually be found to exist. One species, a Melani- 

 tis, quite new to science, was discovered in 1886, and there is no 

 reason why there should not be others in these remote hills and 

 forests to delight the hearts of collectors. The collection and 

 study of butterflies in this country is a most fascinating and 

 delightful way of improving one's leisure hours. In the first place, 

 their variety is so infinite, their colouring so exquisite and wonderful, 

 <and each day may reveal a prize. It is splendid exercise also and 

 trains one's eyes to observe. There is nothing more pleasant than 

 a walk in the jungle with a net, when there is no chance of 

 getting any larger game, and consequently useless to take out a 

 gun. Armed with a net one can get as much exercise as one wants, 

 and with a killing bottle for other insects, the Naturalist returns 

 to his tents with a hearty appetite for breakfast, and his pockets 

 full of treasures, to be put away, examined, and set up at some 

 future time. The habits of many of our Indian butterflies are of 

 much interest. Each has a different style. Old gardens, full of 

 ancient orange, lime, custard-apple and mango tree, and overgrown 

 with weeds and wild flowers, or else a glade at the head of a moun- 

 tain ravine, are about as good places as there are to observe them. 

 Come along to such a spot as the last indicated, and let us watch 

 and study them. We have taken a long walk from the plateau, and 

 having descended a winding path, by the side of which hurries 

 along a little stream, rushing over pebbles and boulders, flinging 

 itself over great black rocks in tiny sparkling cascades, foaming 

 at one moment and the next gliding smoothly under huge old 

 mango trees, covered with many an orchid and tree fern, we arrive 

 at a small plain. The plain is backed, on the side where the stream 

 now quietly murmurs along, by dark crags; on the other it goes 

 away, till it meets the opposite hill slope. The plain is covered by 

 rank herbage, most noticeable among it being the Khans grass 

 (Saccharum spontaneum) , its graceful silken plumes rustling and 

 nodding to the breeze which comes whispering through the trees 

 on the margin of the plain. We have now come to the end of the 

 plain, which closes in rather abruptly, and have to cross the stream 

 which we observe is beautifully clear and limpid. Shoals of tiny 



