MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 269 



extremely valuable contribution to krait literature. Would that we could 

 acquire more. 



Sclentijic iiometiclature.—In Miscellaneous Note XXXIV Mr. Venning 

 very rightly shows me in error in coupling the specific word indica with 

 Li/gosoma which as he observes should be indicum. Though it does not justify 

 my error one whit, I am more reconciled to this exposure, in finding that 

 others in a more exalted sphere than myself are occasionally guilty of like- 

 wise violating orthodox}'. Thus the very authority "Slv. Venning quotes to 

 substantiate his opinion has in his catalogue (Vol. Ill p. 't'tA) Laches/s gramineus. 

 Surely the Parcre were females, and the specific title would therefore be 

 moi*e correctly graminoi ? 



Erratum, — For caiereoveuler on page 919, line 13, read tephrogaster. 



F, WALL, f'.M.z.s., Major, i..m.<. 



Ai.MOKA, December loth 1908. 



No. XXVII.— A CORRECTIOX— THE BUTTERFLIES— P/£7i!/S 

 BRASSIC^E AXD CANIDIA. 

 Will you kindly inform me whether Fig. 43 Pieris hrassiccc on page 170 of 

 Vol. II, of Bingham's Butterflies (Fauna of British India), is an error for Pieris 

 canidia as appears to me probable '? For the fig. 43 certainly does not 

 resemble the well known P. brasscioi of England (and India) and I saw a 

 species apparently identical with this figure and with the description of 

 P. canidia — abundant above 8,000 feet at Xaini Tal in October last. The 

 female exactly resembles fig. 43 and I attach upper and under sides of the 

 corresponding male on this letter for inspection. 



It seemed to me that of the specimen taken by me the females were generally 

 smaller than the males. 



Were it not that P, brassiccc is so well known a species, I should, Bingham's 

 book being so precise about details, &c,, have presumed I was mistaken, and not 

 have bothered you with this letter. But if the book has an error I would like 

 to correct my copy. 



It seems to me that the peculiarities of habits, flight and comparative alert- 

 ness, protective resemblance, &c., of the various species, are even more interest- 

 ing than the difference in marking, and it is just of these that books, especially 

 that most exact and useful book, Bingham's — make little mention. 



H. D. PEILE, I.M.S., Capt. 

 F.vrEHGARU, 24</t November 1908. 



[This mistake in the figure in Col. Bingham's book has been confirmed by Mr. Lefroy 

 Ijy reference to the Pusa collection, Pieris brussica does not have the series of black spots on 

 the outer margin of the hiudwing above as shown in the figure, which are present in 

 y. canidia, and a careful comparison of Bingham's descriptions will confirm the fact. 

 Workers who use this book will find it useful to correct their copies. Both species occur in 

 The Himalayas but /'. binssicae has the unusual habit of coming down to the plains and breed- 

 ing there during March and April, it is recorded from Umballa and every few years is found 

 in abundance in Tirhoot, where it breeds abundantly ujion cabbage and other cruciferous 

 plants. (Mem. Agric. Dept. India., Vol. 1, No, 2.) — Eu.s] 



