BUTTERFLIES OF THE CENTRAL PROVINCES. 157 



similar to those of the last described species, but it is a much com- 

 moner butterfly. 



9. Mycalesis mineus, Linnajus [97]. — This is the rains form of Jf. 

 visala [99«] and M. indistans [99ft. ] of Moore. It is larger than the 

 last species and is not so common. To me it seems a paler insect 

 altogether, and with a sharper angle to the forewing than has M. per- 

 sons. Its habits and flight are the same as the foregoing. 



10. Mycalesis malsara, Moore [108]. — This is the rains form of 

 M. rudis, Moore [110]. I have taken very few specimens of these two 

 forms ; in fact, I do not think I have yet procured If. malsara. It is 

 also a dark brown insect ; but the underside has a redder tinge than 

 those described before. All these insects love the shade, and the 

 way to discover them is to beat the bushes so as to disturb them. 



11. Lethe europa, Fabricius [135]. — This is also a shade-loving 

 insect, but is easily procured in the evening, as are all Mycaleses and 

 Melanites at sugar. They are all also very fond of mhowa refuse 

 after the spirit has been extracted from the flowers. Mhowa spirit is 

 made from the flowers of the Mhowa tree, Bassia latifolia. The 

 flowers are semi-transparent globular objects when fresh, and are 

 eagerly sought after by many kinds of birds and beasts. They- 

 appear in February and March, and drop off in the early morning, 

 so that, if you are encamped under a mhowa tree, you are awakened by 

 a continual patter on the top of the tent as the flowers shower down. 

 The people who collect them have to get up early, as one has to do at 

 home when on a mushroom- gathering expedition, otherwise the 

 cattle, jackals, bears, pigs and all the deer tribe would not leave one 

 behind. The flowers are collected in baskets, taken home, dried, and 

 then used up as required by the Kalars (spirit distillers). Before 

 the spirit has been extracted the flowers do not seem to possess such 

 an attractive power for insects, but as soon as this is done, and the 

 refuse cast outside, various beetles and butterflies are attracted to it. 

 I suppose the fact of there being something spirituous about it is the 

 cause. I have found that the attractiveness of the refuse is much 

 increased by the addition of " gur " or " jaggri" (coarse country 

 sugar), melted till it is like treacle, and of a little rum, or else the 

 mhowa spirit itself ; a small quantity of this put out proves an 

 irresistible bait for Satyrince as well as various species of the 



