COMMON BUTTERFLIES OF THE PLAINS OF JNDJA. 867 



the thorax is somewhat decidedly convex ; the constriction behind is dorsally 

 considerable though wide, laterally very little ; the wings are not expanded 

 at all -. on the shoulder is a slight transverse ridge and a short way behind is 

 another ridge, below the wing-margin, at right angles to it. Spiracle of seg- 

 ment 2 narrow, raised, small, reddish ; the rest small, oval, raised slightly, light 

 brown in colour. The stoutest part of pupa is about front margin of segment 

 7 and the height at apex of thorax is about equal to the breadth there. Surface 

 smooth, finely aciculate (as if scratched with a needle) very slightly shiny ; a 

 lateral small conical tubercle on thorax : a dorsal one on its apex ; a dorsal, 

 subdorsal, and lateral I'ow on abdomen, one of each to each segment : none of 

 them prominent, some obsolescent, especially the posterior ones. Cremaster 

 stent, the dor al transverse section semicircular with two strong ventral 

 extensor ridges. Colour a grey or dirty brownish-black ; a light spot on top 

 of head and another on each side of front of thorax. L : l8mm.; B : 8mm. 



Habits — The egg is laid among the young leaves, either on top 

 or on the underside, really anywhere. Tlie young larva commences 

 feeding on the young leaves, lying among them generally puttino- out 

 a few silks to protect itself by drawing the edges of leaves together 

 although this is done in a very perfunctory manner. When full 

 grown the larva lives anywhere on the plant : on the leaves. 

 on the stem, anywhere. It is sluggish in its movements and 

 drops to the ground, curling up when disturbed (so does the young 

 one when handled or touched) but not by a silk. The pupation takes 

 place genera. ly somewhere near the ground on the undersi ie of a 

 leaf, from a stick, from the underside of a ledge of rock, 

 &c., and the colour harmonisas well with the surroundintrs ot 

 withered leaves, dead sticks and stones. The pu])a is not 

 particularly firmlv attached, or perhaps it woull be more correct to 

 say that it is not rigidly attached for it hangs loosely and swings from 

 side to side, but never falls off. The butterfly is one of the commonest 

 insects throughout India both in the plains and hills from sea level up- 

 wards. Like all its near relations it does not rise much above the 

 ground though it can fly quite a long distimce at times. It is generally 

 seen basking in the sun low down on a leaf with its wings half or wholly 

 open and it does not frequent the ground as much as the other members 

 of the genus. The flight is rapid, of the Neptis type at times, but more 

 decided and much stronger. The insect rests with its wings closed 

 over its back at night and, really, at all times when frightened and 

 not actually basking or playing about. The larva feeds on a great 



