170 L. de Niceville — List of the Butterflies of Ceylon. [No. 3, 



A List of the Butterflies of Ceylon, with Notes on the various Species. — 

 By Lionel de Niceville, F.E.S., C.M.Z.S., &c., and Major N. 

 Manders, R.A.M.C., F.E.S. 



[Received September 28tli. Read November 1st, 1899, ] 



The Island of Ceylon is so well known tliat a lengthened descrip- 

 tion of its peculiarities is unnecessary. It may roughly be divided into 

 two regions, the low and hill country. The latter comprises the south- 

 west and central portions of the Island exclusive of the south-wesfc 

 coast line, and receives the greater portion of the annual rainfall. The 

 laills rise to 8,000 ft., the highest, Pedro Point close to Nuwara Eliya, 

 being 8,200 ft. The vegetation from 6,000 ft. upwards gradually 

 becomes of a more temperate character. At Nuwara Eliya, 6,000 ft., 

 both tropical and sub-tropical vegetation occurs, the latter preponder- 

 ating. 



The higher forests are very thick, almost impenetrable, always 

 soaking with moisture, and consequently butterfly life is almost absent. 

 In fact, very few butterflies occur from 7,000 ft. upwards, the seasons 

 seem to be too cold and damp for them, and even those found at 6,000 ft. 

 appear to be passengers from the low country. A few, but very few, 

 are found only in what may be called the upper hill district. The 

 middle and low hill districts from 6,000 ft. to 400 ft. are very largely 

 under tea cultivation, but in those few localities where the jungle has 

 been left butterflies abound, and it is remarkable what a number of 

 -different species survive in a very limited patch of forest. This part of 

 the Island has, perhaps, been better worked than any other, as it is the 

 home of the planter, many of whom take an interest in entomology. 

 The low country, from 400 ft. to the seaboard, is of course entirely 

 tropical. The Northern, Eastern, North -Western and North-Central 

 areas are either covered with dense forest or are open and park-like. 

 They are in most places unhealthy from malaria, and are very hot and 

 dry. The Hambantota district on the south coast is of a similar 

 character. Large portions of this low jungle country is practically 

 uninhabited, very difficult to get about in, and consequently its entomolo- 

 gical peculiarities are not well known. There is such a sameness in 

 the vegetation, rainfall, and characteristics of this part of the country 

 generally, that we doubt there being many more species remaining to 

 be discovered, and these are likely to be either South Indian species or 

 local forms. Many and various attempts have been made by collectors 

 to obtain specimens from these out-of-the-way places by employing 

 natives ; but experience has shewn that it is a pure waste of money, 

 ending only in vexation of spirit. A more idle, worthless lot than the 



