702 LT.-COL. N. MANDERS ON THE 



have not the slightest shave in the reduction of local species (of 

 insects). 



There are thirty species of butterflies, but with the exception 

 of Hypolimnas misipptts and Danais dirysippus there is no such 

 well marked case of mimicry as that of the Euplcea and Papilio 

 in Bourbon. 



Professor Poulton has however thrown out the suggestion 

 that the female Papilio mmilius, though green, is approaching 

 Euplcea euphon, as it is of a distinctly brownish green tint 

 compared for instance with the Madagascar P. epiphorhas. Mr. 

 Trimen also considers that Danais {Ainauris) phaedon and the 

 Euplcea mimic each other to a certain extent. Instances of 

 seasonal dimorphism (cryptic defence) are however numerous. 



The evidence I have collected does not seem to justify the 

 contention that the above instances of mimicry are due to the 

 depredations of old birds or to the experimental tasting of young 

 ones. Though no doubt experimental tasting of insects genei-ally 

 takes place, it would appear that the birds are of such a character 

 that butterflies would not be attacked except to the smallest 

 extent. 



Ceylon. 



I now turn to the island of Ceylon. If the problem we are 

 considering has so far been simple owing to the small size of the 

 islands dealt with and their very limited fauna, it is by no means 

 so in Ceylon, which is far larger, being about two-thirds the size 

 of Ireland, with a wonderful diversity of hill and plain and equal 

 diversity of climate. Its general characteristics are too well 

 known to require repetition, and there are two hundred and sixty 

 species of butterflies. 



Mimicry ainxong Ceylon Butterflies. 



Mimicry is by no means uncommon among Ceylon butterflies 

 and the following will serve as examples of it. 



Mimic. Model. 



Hypolimnas bolina ? . Euplcea (several species). 



„ misippus ? . Danais chrysippus. 



Elymnias fraterna $ . „ plexippus. 



Argynnis hyperhius § . ,, 



Pareronia ceylonica 5 • " aglea. 



Prioneris sita. Delias eucharis, 

 Papilio clytia race 



lankeswara ^ $ . Euplcea (several species). 



Papilio clytia form dissimilis. Danais aglea (and allies). 



Papilio polytes $ . Papilio aristolochice . 



„ ,, form romulus $ . Papilio hector. 



And the Miillerian combination of the three Euploeas, core, coreta, 

 and hlugii. 



Euplcea coreta and E, core, as a reference to Mr. Moulton's plate 



