Observed in a tour through India and Ceylon. 131 



small patch of a tall, but small-flowered composite plant 

 (of the Thistle-head sub-order) ; this plant did not appear 

 to be common in the district, but it was especially attractive 

 to a black Danaid, which was quite abundant within the 

 limits of this plant's distribution. Ghittira fumata, But]., is 

 very distinct and handsome on the wing, its flight is slow 

 and it is easy to catch, but like all Danaids it has a tough 

 integument and is very tenacious of life. The favoured 

 flower was so attractive to the butterfly that it would even 

 go into deep shade to visit it. Ghittira fumata may be 

 said to be gregarious ; it has the " acetylene " odour of 

 Crastia. core, but not so strong and with a difference. I 

 made no observation as to the relation of scent to sex in 

 this species, which, by the way, I believe I missed at 

 Hatton. 



Near this same spot I took two Crastia asela, Moore, and 

 saw others. I also got one Danais s&ptcntrionis, Butl. 



The inevitable Lycsenids were worn Talicada ni/seus ; 

 Jamides bochus, Cr., one ; and Polyommatus b/vticus, which 

 was common. 



It was interesting to watch the pretty little honey-birds 

 feeding at some tall spikes of flowers. 



Horton Plains, alt. 7000 ft. 

 March 23rd, 1904. 



This beautiful district gives one some idea of what 

 Ceylon was before the era of tea-planting. Situated 

 about 2500 ft. above the railway and approached by steep 

 zigzag paths through rather poor woods, are extensive 

 rolling plains of coarse grass, locally called "patnas"; 

 these are surrounded by woods having a general temperate 

 zone character, but with here and there an epiphytal orchid 

 to remind one that the latitude is but 7° N. In the 

 swampier parts of the patnas the devastating work of 

 wild pigs was evident enough, while the paths through 

 woods, and unmistakable droppings, proved that wild 

 elephants had passed not many days before. It was how- 

 ever not the season for butterflies, the air being too 

 exhilaratiug for their luxurious ways. 



About half-a-dozen Chittira fumata were seen at 

 elevations of (3000 — 7000 ft,, mostly at their favourite 



