Lepidoptera observed in Mhow. 393 



examined by me, appeared to be the same, but, owing to 

 their imperfect condition, this may admit of doubt (?). 



That the larvge were different I cannot doubt, and, as 

 Mr. A. G. Butler informs me that there are two species 

 of Indian "death's-heads," I beUeve the two larvae in 

 question represent those two species. It is, of course, 

 possible that all the pupge of one larva died, and the 

 imagines found represented only one species ; but this 

 is not probable, as I had about the same number of 

 pupae in each case. 



Curiously, in an old note-book dated Nasirabad, 

 August 20th, 1877, I find that I there bred several 

 " death's-heads" from " large green caterpillars of some 

 Sphinx " ; and further, " When the moths are touched 

 they raise the wings, and move the abdomen up and 

 down, making a creaking noise, and ejecting an orange- 

 coloured fluid from the anus. The abdomen seems to 

 contract and expand when the insect makes the above 

 sound." 



SMEKINTHIN^. 



Clanis cervina, Walk. (PI. XV., figs. 1, 2). 

 Mhow, August 25th, 1881. 



This larva feeds on the leaves of " Palas," Butea 

 frondosa. I have always found it on the small bushes, 

 not on the trees, and only in this one situation. The shape 

 of the young larva differs somewhat from that of the 

 full-grown one, as will be evident from inspection of the 

 figures. The shape of the head especially is very 

 distinct ; also the size and shape of caudal spine. 

 General colour a grass-green ; white lines along the 

 sides. Small yellow puncta on the enormous head. 



I had the greatest difficulty in rearing these larvae, and, 

 although I procured numerous specimens, yet I was 

 singularly unfortunate. In the first place I found it 

 almost impossible to preserve the "Palas" leaves fresh 

 for even an hour or two in the cages, either the twigs in 

 water or in damp earth. Then the larvae, after reaching 

 maturity, either died without any apparent cause, or 

 developed parasites, or rotted in the cocoons after be- 

 coming pupae, or even before they had changed. Finally, 

 when by dint of perseverance I had got a few larvae to 

 all appearance safely under ground, I got orders for 

 home, and had to pack up all specimens as I best could 

 for the journey. These four larvae retired under ground 



