83 [March, 1892. 



Mr. C. O. Waterhouse read a paper, entitled, " Some observations on the Mouth. 

 Organs of Diptera" which was illustrated by numerous diagrams. A long dis- 

 cussion ensued. 



Mr. E. Meyrick read a paper, entitled, " On the Classification of the Geometrina 

 of the European Fauna." Mr. Hampson, Mr. Elwes, Mr. McLaehlan, Colonel 

 Swinhoe, Mr. Tutt, and Mr. Distant took part in the discussion which ensued. — 

 H. Gross, Ron. Secretary. 



THE BUTTERFLIES OF RAWAL PINDI AND THE MURREE HILLS 



(PUNJAB). 



BY If. MANDEES, T.E.S., 

 Surg eon- Captain, Medical Staff. 



The following is the result of two seasons' collecting at Pindi, 

 and one summer in the Murree Hills. Probably other species remain 

 to be added, but my time is limited, and my peregrinations restricted 

 to a few miles round my station for the time being. 



Eawal Pindi is situated in the north-west corner of the Punjab, 

 and about twelve miles from the outlyers of the Murree Hills. At 

 first sight it looks as uninviting from an entomological point of view 

 as any other place in the Punjab, being very hot, flat, and with very 

 little vegetation. In certain respects it is an extremely interesting 

 place, as its proximity to the hills and its elevation, 1700 ft., enable 

 the more hardy hill species, both animals and plants, to maintain a 

 precarious existence, and at the same time its heat and aridness per- 

 mit the survival of a few^ entirely desert species. It is situated, in 

 fact, just where hill and plain species struggle against adverse climatal 

 conditions. As instances of the former, I may mention Vanessa 

 indica and Lethe Dyrta, which are represented by occasional specimens 

 only ; and of the latter, species of the genus Taracolus survive in 

 very few numbers. 



Last year (1890) the weather, comparatively speaking, was cool, 

 and consequently the hill species were fairly numerous, especially 

 Qonepteryx rhamni, Colias Fieldi and Hyale, species one would 

 scarcely expect to meet with in the plains ; though I have found C. 

 Fieldi as far south as Mooltan. 



This year, on the contrary, was noted for its long continued and 

 intense heat ; and very little rain, whether under these conditions the 

 desert species preponderated I do not know, as I was enjoying the 

 temperate breezes of the Himalayas. The tenure of existence is held 

 so feebly, that any untoward circumstance seems likely to throw back 



