COMMON BUTTERFLIES OF THE PLAINS OF INDIA. 313 



indented in centre of front margin, flat on dorsum with a subdorsal " boss " 

 on each side, each giving rise to a 6 mm. long, stiff, outwards-curved spine ; 

 thorax moderately high, convex, slightly carinated in dorsal line, the 

 carination splitting into two at centre of segment backwards ; there is a sub- 

 dorsal, central spine similar to that of segment 2 on each side ; segment 4 

 has similar though slightly shorter spines ; segment 5 has them also, but a 

 good deal smaller again ; segment 6 also, twice the length of those of seg- 

 ment 5 ; segment 7 has a subdorsal spine twice the length of that of seg- 

 ment 6 and a lateral one besides, curved forwards, the same length as the 

 thoracic subdorsals ; the surface of the pupa is covered with minute hooked 

 hairs and is slightly rugose. The shoulder is produced into a flattened 

 point or tooth ; the wings are expanded somewhat along thorax and seg- 

 ments 4, 5. Spiracles dull, oval, rather large, black, with a light central 

 slit, the hinder ones being half covered by the hinder margin of preceding 

 segment. Colour of pupa is whitish grey with the following black spots ; 

 segment 2 with two spots in front of each spine, four spots on the flat 

 part of each shoulder-tooth, two spots along wing-line on segment 4 ; a 

 semicircle of four spots with hinder margin as base on segment 5 ; a 

 similar semicircle on segment 6 besides four between wing and spine on 

 each side ; segments 7-12 with a similar semicircle of spots, segment 7 

 having two spots between the spines on each side and one at junction of 

 wing and segment. The size of the pupa is variable, but has much the same 

 proportions as that of Cupha, though generally somewhat larger. 



Habits. — The larva feeds upon young leaves, grows fast, eating 

 voraciously, sits generally with all the segments contracted on 

 the underside of leaves and is very active, running about at a 

 great pace ; when suddenly disturbed, it lets itself fall by a thread 

 by which it pulls itself up again when the danger is past. The 

 larvae are much ichneumoned ; they eat their cast skins after 

 moults. The pupa is formed against a perpendicular surface, 

 generally low down in a shady situation and hangs parallel to the 

 surface, being firmly and rigidly attached. Occasionally, of course, 

 it is found suspended from the under-surface of a leaf, horizontal or 

 otherwise. The larva objects strongly to the hot sun. The butter- 

 fly is found only in the hills but is very plentiful where it occurs, 

 and will certainly be met with at Matheran or Mahableshwar, also 

 probably in Thana District ; it is quite common further south on 

 the Western Ghats and extends thence to Ceylon. It is confined 

 to these places. The insect likes the neighbourhood of evergreen 

 jungles and damp nallas, and keeps entirely to wooded parts, ven- 



