1883.] Discussion on Mr. BhwforcVs paper, 49 



observations made at Alipore, and to the fact that the paleness of the 

 sky, which varied to some extent with the actinic intensity shown by the 

 instrument, might be due either to dust haze or to diffused cloud or more 

 probably to both, and that it was impossible to separate the effects of 

 these two agents. He had frequently examined the spectrum afforded by 

 the setting sun shining though the dense haze that shrouds the plains in 

 the dry weather, as seen from Simla with the aid of a small pocket spec- 

 troscope. There was a general absorption especially in the blue and violet, 

 and, as might be expected, the low sun bands due to water vapour were 

 also very strong. 



Mr. de Nice'ville stated, with reference to Mr. Blanford's remarks 

 on the absorption of the heat of the sun by the * dust haze' which prevails 

 during the dry months of the year in the plains of India, and Mr. Blanford's 

 statement that he proposed to carry out a series of observations extending 

 over two years at Leh, Ladak, where the sky is almost always clear of 

 cloud, that when he was in Leh in June, 1877, the dust in the valley was 

 particularly noticeable, so that objects at a few miles distance were quite 

 obscured by it. It would appear therefore that, though the difficulty of 

 the absorption of heat by vapour would not be encountered at Leh, there 

 would still be the perhaps greater difficulty of the haze to contend against 

 in any observations carried on at that place. 



In the discussion that took place, it appeared that, whilst this dust 

 haze in the valleys about Leh was particularly remarkable, an ascent of a 

 few hundred feet carried one quite clear of it. 



2. A new Species of Cyrestis (Lepidoptera Rhopalocera) from Great 

 Nicohar. — By Lionel de Nice'ville. 



The beautiful insect described in this paper, to which Mr. deNicdville 

 has given the name of Cyrestis tabula, was recently received by the Indian 

 Museum from Mr F. A. de Roepstorff, who obtained it at the close of last 

 year from the island of Great Nicobar. It is the first species of the genus 

 Cyrestis that has been recorded from the Nicobar group of islands, though 

 three species have been obtained by Mr. de Roepstorff from the neigh- 

 bourhood of Port Blair in the South Andaman group. 



This paper will be published in the Journal, Pt. II, 1883. 

 3. Notes on lately discovered sepulchral mounds, caiims, caves, cave-paint' 



ingSf and stone inplements — By A. C. Carlleyle, First Assistant^ 



ArchcBological Survey of India. 



In this paper Mr. Carlleyle enumerates all discoveries of interest lately 

 made by him in the district of Mirzapur and then gives a general account 

 of his discoveries in Baghelkhand, Bundelkhand and other places during 

 the last nine years. 



This paper will be published in the Journal, Pt. I, 1883. 



