Lcpidoptera collected in the Shan States. 515 



the water in their dng-out canoes : their houses are 

 built on piles, and pushed far out into the lake. In 

 appearance they differ both from the Shans and Burmese ; 

 their dialect is also different, and they have a tradition 

 that they came from the neighbourhood of Tavoy about 

 two hundred years ago. The lake is now silting uj) very 

 rajjidly, both by the soil brought down by the streams in 

 the rains, and also more particularly by the rapid 

 growth of the water-weed. Possibly, in after genera- 

 tions, the remains of these lake-dwellers will excite as 

 much interest and speculation as those of the Swiss 

 lakes. 



With regard to the climate of the Shan States : it is 

 divided into the hot, wet, and dry seasons. The ther- 

 mometer, of course, varies with the elevation. The 

 hottest month is April, and at Fort Stedman it occa- 

 sionally rose to 93° in the shade. Koni was several 

 degrees cooler. The wettest months are August and 

 September. The annual rainfall both at Koni and Fort 

 Stedman was only about 34 in., but at Mone, away to 

 the east, it was far heavier. Several showers fall in 

 April, but the rains do not begin regularly until the 

 middle of May, and continue until October ; but there 

 may be occasional showers until December, especially 

 on the uplands. Of course, during the rains, travelling 

 is objectionable, and, owing to there being no roads, it is 

 almost impracticable. The climate otherwise cannot be 

 complained of, and, taken all round, it is far better than 

 most countries in the East. 



I have incorporated with this catalogue the insects 

 captured in Eastern Kareni during the military expedi- 

 tion for the subjugation of the Eed Karen chief Sawlapaw. 

 The majority were taken by my friend Captain Eaikes, 

 of the Eifle Brigade, to whom I handed over my net 

 when I was incapacitated on account of a wound. No 

 doubt the list might be very considerably extended by 

 any one who, more fortunate than I, could devote more 

 time to collecting. Entomology, during active service, 

 can only be indulged in at odd moments. 



My best thanks are due to Mr. Eiwes for the immense 

 trouble he took in looking over my captures (many of 

 them "rags"), and comparing them with specimens in 

 his magnificent collection. To Mr. de Niceville also I 



