( Jxxiv ) 



and Bolivia. This departs widely from any known species 

 of the genus, and presents a strong resemblance to the Heli- 

 coniid genus Eueides as represented by E. eanides, Stich., 

 and its aberration aides, Stich. The general pattern of Vila 

 is black and white, bearing a general resemblance to forms 

 of Ithomiinae. 



Prof. Poulton and Mr. Kaye commented on this exhibit. 



Experiments on Spiders with butterfly food and 

 observations on the attacks of blrds on butterflies, 

 in British East Africa, by the Eev. K. St. Aubyn Bogers. 

 — Prof. Poulton gave an account of the following experi- 

 ments and observations conducted in 1908, 1910, and 1911 

 at Rabai, about 14 miles N.W. of Mombasa. The spiders 

 were all of the same species — large, black, with red and black 

 legs and a marking something like a Chinese scroll on the 

 back of the abdomen. Their webs were much stronger than 

 those of any English species. In the dry season they dis- 

 appeared, but at other times spun their webs in Mr. Rogers' 

 verandah, where the experiments were carried out. 



From the above description of the spiders, Mr. R. I. Pocock, 

 F.R.S., believed that they were the same species as that 

 made use of by Dr. G. A. K. Marshall in 1897 (Trans. Ent. 

 Soc. Lond., 1902, pp. 319-322) and named by the Rev. 0. 

 Pickard-Cambridge, F.R.S., Nephilengys malabarica, Walck. 

 This spider was found in the Oriental Region and South 

 America as well as Africa, and Mr. Pocock was inclined to 

 believe that its habit of spinning webs on houses — Mr. Mar- 

 shall's as well as Mr. Rogers' experiments were conducted 

 in verandahs— had led to its accidental spread in timber, 

 building materials, etc. Its near allies, without this habit, 

 were far more restricted in range. 



Except when otherwise stated, the butterflies mentioned 

 in the following list were always devoured by the spiders. 



1908. 

 Aug. 10. Eurytela dnjope and 2 Papilio demodocus. 

 „ 13. Papilio nireus. 



,, 14. Mycalesis sajitza, Physcaenura leda and Mylothris 

 agathina. 





