152 LEPIDOPTERA INDIGA. 



STJMALIA DARAXA (Plate 250, fig. 2, 2a, b, <? ? ). 



Limenitis Daraxa, Doubleday and Hewitson, Gen. D. Lep. ii. p. 276, pi. 34, fig. 4 (1850). 

 de Niceville, Butt, of India, etc., ii. p. 158 (1886). 



Imago. — Male and Female. Upperside rich purpurescent blackish-brown. Cilia 

 slenderly alternated with white ; basal marks black. Forewing with a transverse 

 discal iDale green macular band, the upper portions being widely separated and 

 rounded, the lower quadrate and continuous ; an outer discal black deeply lunular 

 line and a wavy marginal line enclosing a submarginal row of black dentate spots. 

 Hindiving with a transverse discal pale green continuous band, an outer discal 

 broader black deep lunular fascia, and a narrow wavy marginal line enclosing a row 

 of black dentate spots ; a rounded deep red patch at anal angle. Underside reddish- 

 ferruginous ; markings as above ; interspaces of the basal marks violet-grey, the 

 transverse discal band pale greenish-white, the outer discal and marginal markings 

 bordered with violet-grey, abdominal margin bluish-grey. Body above ohvescent- 

 black; palpi above black; body and palpi below and legs bluish-grey; antennae 

 black above, reddish beneath. 



Expanse, S 2-fx, to '2.^q, 9 2^q inches. 



Habitat. — Kumaon ; Sikkim ; Bhotan ; Silhet ; Cachar ; Assam ; Naga and 

 Khasia Hills ; Burma ; Upper Tenasserim ; Malay Peninsula. 



DiSTHiBUTiON. — " This is not a rare species, and has a wide range. Mr. Atkinson 

 records it from the Himalayas of the North-West Provinces, and it appears to occur 

 at a suitable elevation all along the Hills as far east as Sibsagar in Upper Assam 

 and the Naga Hills; and Captain 0. T. Bingham took it in April in the Upper 

 Thoungyeen forests in Upper Tenasserim " (de JSTiceville, I.e. 158). In Sikkim "it 

 occurs from 1000 to 8000 feet elevation throughout the warm months " (de Nice- 

 ville, Sikkim Gaz. 1894, 140). Mr. H. J. Blwes obtained it in Sikkim east of the 

 Tista River, where, along the ridge from Dumsong to Khumpong, it is common in 

 open places in the forest in August at 6000 feet elevation. Mr. Otto Moller notes 

 it as found in Sikkim from 1000 to 8000 feet, between April and November." (Tr. 

 Ent. Soc. 1888, 352.) Colonel C. Swinhoe notes it as "common in the Khasias." 

 Mr. J. Wood-Mason obtained " a male near Silcuri in Cachar in June and another 

 on Nemotha Peak in September " (J. A. Soc. Beng, 1886, 359.) Captain B. Y. 

 Watson took " a single male in the Chin Hills, Burma, during the rainy season " 

 (J. Bombay N. H. S. 1897, 655). Mr. W. Doherty records this species " as not 

 uncommon on Larut Hill, Perak, at about 5000 feet elevation " (J. A. Soc. Bengal, 

 1891, 176). 



Habits. — Mr. H. J. Elwes states that " it settles on the ground with open 

 wings, and is a bold quick-flying insect, returning several times to the same spot if 

 missed with the net" (Tr= But. Soc. 1888, 352.) 



