THE BUTTERFLIES OF KUMACN. 131 



Widely distributed forms and more than one species of whose occur- 

 rence in Kumaon I am still doubtful, while it omits a fair number of 

 forms which have since been found commonly in the district. Seeing 

 that this list, which enumerates 271 species, was the result of a stay 

 of less than six months in Kumaun with only two trips into the 

 interior, one of which Doherty himself confesses to have been a 

 failure, degenerate entomologists of the present day cannot but 

 admire the author's wonderful energy and accuracy of observation. 



Treating of the question of local distribution, Doherty remarks that 

 the Kali Valley — the Eastern boundary of Kumaun — " forms a 

 " genuine zoological boundary. 



•' Among the species that seem to extend no further west are : — 

 " Papilio paris, Melanitis zitenius, Elymnias lencocyma ( = malelas), 

 " Symbrentliia hypselis, Neptis vikasi, Euihalia appiades and E. 

 " lubentina and such genera and sub-genera as Dyctis, Rohana, 

 ■" Dichorrhagia, Moduza, Haridra, Zemeros, Chersonesia, Chliaria, 

 " Remelana and Cherkra." 



The danger of hasty generalisation of this nature is well borne out 

 by the present list, nearly all the genera enumerated above being 

 represented in West Kumaun and in some cases by more than one 

 species, while at least two of the species — S. hypselis and E. lubentina — 

 are to be met with in the extreme west. 



The fact is that it is almost impossible to lay down hard and fast 

 geographical boundaries when dealing with Himalayan species. 

 Kumaun is a " debateable area " between the south-east and south- 

 west monsoon currents and receives rain from both. When the south- 

 east or Bay current is stronger than that from the Arabian Sea, strag- 

 glers from Sikkim like Arhopaia centaurus or Euthalia lepidea may 

 be found as far west as Naini Tal at all events, while conversel)', a 

 strong Arabian Sea current will bring in stragglers from the N. W. 

 Himalayan area like Nytha parisatis and Erebia hyagriva. 



Leaving aside the chief factor which is, of course, the presence of 

 the food-plant which supports the larva, the distribution of Himalayan 

 species will, I think, be found to depend chiefly upon the relative 

 strength or weakness of these two currents and as this is a variable 

 phenomenon, it is next to impossible to lay down specific geographical 

 boundaries ; this too probably accounts for the fact that Kumaun con- 

 tains no species peculiar to itself. 



