NOTES. 411 
able to maintain its health after a fast of two months. Finally, 
it is worthy of note that the snake has such an extraordinary 
capacity for food after a long fast. 
The snake lived for several years after the above incidents, 
but it has now been killed. 
Talgaswella, June 30, 1920. EK. NICOLLIER. 
Disappearance of Butterflies from certain Localities —The 
disappearance is mainly due to three causes: (1) Disease ; 
(2) parasites ; and (3) extinction of the food plant. Of these, 
the first two are usually only temporary in their effect, while 
the third is generally permanent. 
In my notes on butterflies published in the last issue of the 
‘* Spolia, > Mr. Mackwood writes that Callosune limbata was 
“particularly abundant in Fort Frederick, Trincomalee.” 
Colonel Manders also gave this locality in his notes. I have 
only visited Fort Frederick in October, November, and 
December (1917 and 1918), so may have missed the best 
season, but I have never seen a single specimen of this insect 
there. A few years ago a few spotted deer were loosed in the 
Fort, and there is now a big herd there. Can the disappear 
ance of C. limbata be due to the destruction of the food plants 
by the deer ” 
In my notes I mention that the activities of the Forest 
Department have caused the disappearance of R. benjamini 
from the jungle above Haputale. Lethe daretis has also 
disappeared from this jungle from the same cause. 
Surendra discalis was formerly very plentiful at Haldum- 
mulla, but its food plant, Acacia cxsia, has become almost 
extinct, and the butterfly is now very rare. I believe the 
Acacia was killed out by Lantana. 
Appiz taprobana was common at Galle in 1918, especially 
round its food plant, Crotera roxburghi, but I have not seen 
a single specimen in 1919. In this case I believe the disappear- 
ance was due to parasites, but I have no direct evidence. 
W. ORMISTON. ~ 
