132 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol. XX. 



In compiling the present list I have had constant access to the fine 

 collection of Mr. Peake at Jeolikote which includes a most represen- 

 tative Kumaun collection made by the late Mr. Vanrenen of Binsar 

 throughout a number of years. I have also embodied my own two 

 years' experience, though I have been compelled through force of 

 circumstances to depend very largely on native agency for the collec- 

 tion of specimens. The total number of separate forms recorded is 

 371. 



Thanks to Mr. P. Mackinnoirs generous help in identification of 

 doubtful species, I hope that the list will be found fairly complete and, 

 if it should prove of assistance to future workers over the same ground, 

 its purpose will have been served. 



I have marked with an asterisk any form that has not come under 

 my personal observation. In classification and nomenclature I have, 

 where possible, followed Bingham, whose firm stand against the 

 ultrasectionist tendencies of some latter-day entomologists entitles him 

 to the gratitude of posterity. That he did not live to complete his 

 work is nothing short of a calamity. 



A word as to seasons and localities. As in most parts of India, the 

 greatest number of varieties are on the wing just after the rains in 

 September and October, but the early summer (March and April) is 

 only slightly less prolific in species of interest to the collector. 

 Taking the whole year round, the wooded ravines at from 2,000-5,000 

 feet elevation will be found the best hunting grounds, especially in 

 the dry months. 



At high elevations above 12,000 feet, the season is late and short, 

 beginning in July and ending in September, the rarer forms not 

 appearing till August. The commoner varieties will, however, be 

 found encroaching on the snow line even as early as May. 



Butterflies are so easily influenced by vicissitudes of season that it is 

 not surprising to find many species common in one year, and scarcely 

 visible in the next. For instance, a very dry season like 1907 re- 

 sulted in a " miraculous draught " of Dophla patala around Naini Tal 

 in May 1908, while in 1909 this butterfly did not appear till June 

 and was comparatively rare in all its favourite haunts. Not only so, 

 but the early rains in July caused the few that were on the wing to 

 disappear with disconcerting suddenness. As a rule, however, the 

 converse holds good and heavy rains result in great abundance of in- 



