PROCEEDINGS OF TUE TTIIEO ENTOMOLOGICAL MEETING 1023 



had no previous experience, but the sketches in the Plates exhibited 

 herewith are, in nearly every case, the result of the exammation of a 

 large number of specimens. In no case was the sketch made from a 

 single specimen. I am sending a set of my slides to the Colombo Museum 

 where anyone interested can examine them. They include all the Ceylon 

 Hesperiadse with the exception of C. spilothyrus and G. albofasciata. 

 When removed from the body of the insect and dried, the clasps almost 

 invariably shrivel and curl up, thus entirely altering their outlines as 

 seen imder a microscope. I have, therefore whenever possible, used 

 perfectly fresh undried specimens for my sketches. In cases where 

 there are only sUght differences between the prehensores of two forms 

 it is necessary to examine a large number of each, to ascertain if these 

 differences are permanent or only casual variations. For iastance, 

 with regard to Padraona dara, Messrs. Elwes and Edwards write that 

 Mr. Edwards dissected " fifteen specimens from difierent localities, and 

 found considerable variation in degree, but no differences which can 

 be regarded as specific." Lieutenant-Colonel Evans in his notes on 

 Indian butterflies {Journal of the Bombay Nat. His'. Socy.) says that he 

 examined 23 males in his collection and found he had five species. I 

 have dissected over 100 Ceylon specimens, and I find two very distinct 

 forms which show no signs of grading and extremely slight internal 

 variation. {See PL 171. figs. 27— 3 ).) I beheve there is also a third but 

 I have been unable, so far, to obtain sufficient specimens to prove that 

 it is not merely a variety or seasonal form. {See PI. 171, figs. 31, 32.) 

 By the courtes)' of Mr. F. Hannyngton, I.C.S., I have been able 

 to dissect a few specimens from Coorg and found two forms among 

 them which are very distinct from anything I have seen in Ceylon. 

 Apparently this group is split up into numerous local races, and, so 

 far as my experience goes, the prehensores will be found a more constant 

 and reliable means of separating them than the colouration of the wings. 

 I believe that similar local races also occur in the philippina and kumara 

 groups of the genus Parnara. A question which arises is whether 

 differences in colour caused by cUmatic influences are accompanied by 

 changes in the prehensores. This of course can only be settled by 

 breeduig experiments. For instance, Indian writers treat Caprona 

 saraya as a seasonal, form of C. ransonnetti, although Messrs. Elwes 

 and Edwards point out that their clasps differ considerably. 



In Ceylon C. siamica shows an almost similar divergence from 0. 

 ransonnetti and v/ould therefore, I presume, be treated as a seasonal 

 form. I have examined about a dozen specimens of G. siamica and 

 have, so far, fouivd no signs of grading in the clasps and am therefore 

 inclined to regard it as distinct. {See PI. 171, figs. 9, 10, 11 and 12.) 



