RHOPALOCEllA MALAYAN A. 107 



smaller size, the frequeut absence of the apical spot, and the generally (in the male) smaller 

 size of the subapical spot to differentiate it. 



We are indebted to the Bros, de Alwis for a drawing of the larva of this species as found 

 in Ceylon,* which is reproduced here [ante, p. 102, fig. 38), and Dr. Horsliold had previously 

 o-iven a figure t representing the larva of tlie Javan form of C. athaiiuix,\ which differs only 

 from the first by the absence of the "oblique yellowish white stripe" from the eleventh 

 segment — a difference which may or may not merely represent a different stage of growth 

 in the caterpillar, and hence a difierent stage in the developmental markings. In Ceylon it is 

 stated to feed on " Cicsalpinia." § 



Of the habits of the typical form of C. athiiaas in N.W. India we have a few particulars 

 from Capt. Lang. || It is " an insect of extremely rapid flight, flashing like lightning up 

 and down rocky-bedded streams in Himalayan glens (3000 to 5000 ft.). It pitches on rocks 

 in mid-stroam, and flashes off again if approached. It is not common, and very difficult 

 to capture ; yet one very hot day in June I saw seven individuals sitting with closed wings, 

 motionless, on a foul spot (by the damp sandy margin of a stream H), so close together that 

 I might have put my hat over all of them." 



5. Charaxes hebe. (Tab. XV., fig. 2 J .) 



Charaxes Hehf, Biitler, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1H65, p. 084, u. 46, t. 37, f. 3; Druce, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1873, p. 346, 

 11. 4 ; Butl. Trans. Liim. Soc. sei-. 2, Zool. vol. i. p. 53i), n. 2 (1877). 



Male and Female. Wings above very pale greenish. Anterior wings with the base, cell, and base 

 of costal area greyish brown ; apical half blackish, with a small pale greenish spot between the discoidal 

 nervules ; this black apical area is much waved internally, commencing near end of cell it is obliquely 

 and outwardly directed, becoming prominently concave at the median nervules, and somewhat narrowly 

 terminating at the posterior angle. Posterior wings with the base greyish brown, and in some specimens 

 (as the one figured) a darker marginal border containing a marginal series of fuscous spots inwardly marked 

 with white streaks placed between the nervules (the one at anal angle marked with two white spots) ; in 

 other specimens these markings are much paler and somewhat indistinct ; extreme margin and margins 

 of caudate appendages dark green. Wings beneath reddish brown, both wings crossed by a broad pale 

 shining greenish fascia, inwardly margined by a narrow castaneous fascia with blackish borders ; on the 

 anterior wings the greenish fascia commences at end of cell, immediately beneath the first median nervule, 

 and is broadly margined with castaneous aljove, whicli forms a subtriaugular patch extending to upper 



* Lep. Ceyl. i. t. 14, fig. 2 b. f Dcscript. Cat. t. viii. f. 7. 



\ This J:ivau form uf the species is probably the varietj' described by Kelder under the name of C. attains (lleisc Nov. 

 Lep, ill. p. 438, u. 711). 



§ Lep. CeyL i. p. 30. The genus Ccesalplnia con.sists of trees or shrubs growing in the tropical parts of Asia, Africa, 

 and America, thus agreeing roughly with the distribution of Charaxes, as in Tropical America an alhed genus Mcr/iatcuiis 

 is found (some authors, as VoUenhoven, have described species of this genus under the name of Charaxes). Ctcsalpiiua 

 inchides plants pos.sessing both chemical and medicinal properties ; for example, the Oriental C. sa^rpaii, which yields tlie 

 well-known red dye ; whilst, according to Dr. Hogg (' Indian Notes,' p. 217), another species, " Ca-salpinia sepiaria-rcli/ic," 

 the " Mysore thorn, a prickly-hedge climber with yellow flowers," possesses astringent wood, and its bruised leaves are applied 

 as a cure for burns. Mr. E. Spruce, in his botanical investigations in the Amazon VaUey, found that "some cateri)iiliiis 

 seem to have a decided taste for bitters ; and narcotics are rarely objected to" (Journ. Linn. Soc, Zool. vol. ix. p. 354;. 



II Ent. Mouth. Mag. i. p. 181. 



H These are always favourite spots for Ehopalocera. Some Lepchas who in Sikkim make what they can by catching 

 insects and selling them'to visitors, take advantage of the known partiality of butterflies for wet sand. Mr. de Nicc-ville states 

 that " in one place upon a large flattish stone near the muldle of the stream, the men had put some sand and kept it watered, 

 and it was surprising the number of butterflies that came to their 'trap' and were caught" (Journ. Asiat. Soc. Bengl. vol. li. 

 pt. h. p. 54 (1882). These habits may be of use to the explorer, as when Command. Cameron states that he " always found' 

 butterflies in a dry country " as sure sign that water was near" ('Across Africa,' vol. i. p. 130). 



