SATYRIN^. 255 



large black centre speckled with oclireous-white scales, the black centres of the five 

 lower ocelli being more or less irregularly broken and incomplete, the upper ocellus 

 is the largest and more oval in shape, all being encompassed by a prominent violet 

 outer sinuous line, the inner portion of this line forming the violet border to the dark 

 sinuous discal line ; marginal line with a violet inner-bordering line. 



Female. Upperside either somewhat paler or of a more dusky-brown than the 

 male ; marginal line whitish-bordered. Forewing with a prominent transverse oblique 

 discal broad pure white entire band, the apical white spots similar. Hindwing with 

 the pale-bordered dusky-black ocelli of the underside more or less indistinctly 

 visible. Underside of the same colour as in male ; markings the same, except that 

 on the forewing the oblique white band extends to near the posterior angle and 

 nearly obliterates the ocellus between the middle and lower median veinlets ; the 

 ocelli on the hindwing are also sometimes more elongated. Body beneath dark 

 brown; legs beneath and sides of palpi pale brownish-ochreous. 



Expanse, 2f to S\ inches. 



Habitat. — Plains of India ; "W. and E. Himalayas ; Assam ; Khasias ; Burma ; 

 Andamans ; Malayia ; China. 



Distribution within Indian Area. — In his list of Kumaon butterflies (J. A. S. 

 Beng. 1886, 115), Mr. Doherty records it from " Ranibagh at the foot of the hills, 

 1000 feet." Mr. de Niceville took it in October in Sikkim Terai (J. A. S. Beng. 

 1880, 49). According to Mr. Elwes (Tr. Ent. Soc. 1888, 314), " this is not a com- 

 mon butterfly in Sikkim. It is probably rather an inhabitant of the plains, and only 

 a straggler in the low valleys of Sikkim." Mr. J. A. Betham (Journ. Bombay Nat. 

 Hist. Soc. 1890, 157) obtained it in the Central Provinces, and says, " this is a shade- 

 loving insect, but is easily procured in the evening at sugar. They are also fond of 

 Mhowa {Bassia latifulia) refuse after the spirit has been extracted from the flowers. 

 It is shy and easily scared." It was taken by the late Dr. F. Day at Coonoor, and 

 Mr. Hampson (J. A. S. Beng. 1888, 348) obtained it on the ISTilgiris from 3000 to 

 5000 feet ; rather rare. Mr. W. C. Taylor (List of Orissa Butterflies, p. 2) records 

 it as not uncommon at Khorda. The late Mr. W. S. Atkinson obtained it in the 

 neighbourhood of Calcutta, and " Major Marshall found it commonly in the Barrack- 

 pore Park in November." (Butt. India, i. 150). Mr. J. Rothery (Ent. Mo. Mag. 

 1882, 34) also records it from Barrackpore Park near Calcutta, and Mr. de 

 Niceville (J. A. S. Beng. 1885, 42) says that " in the Calcutta District this species is 

 found in the cold weather affecting dry ditches, occurring also during the rainy 

 season." Mr. Wood-Mason (J. A. S. Beng. 1886, 360) records "several specimens 

 taken in the forests around Silchar in Cachar." Major Godwin- Austen obtained it 

 in the Khasias, and the late Mr. "W. S. Atkinson took it in Silhet and Cherra Punji. 



