281 



RHO PA L 0 CERA MALAYAN A. 



pubescent ami attenuated at each end without any nuchal tentacles. Anterior tibi» not provided with 

 a medial spur.* 



In this large and well-known subfamily considerable variation ensues in the neuration of 

 the wing (a character of great differential value in the diagnosis of genera), and also in the 

 structure of the antennfe. The Pierime are very well represented in the Malayan Region, and 

 have induced the publication of two fine monographic works by the late Dr. Snellen van 

 Vollenhovent and Mr. Wallace, J whilst a study of the neuration of the whole subfamily with 

 a view of generic division has been attempted by Mr. Butler. § 



Like the Lijccmidee, the Pitrmw are ubiquitous, are recorded from the highest latitudes of 

 butterfly distribution, and also produce some of the best known and most abundant species 

 found in either temperate or tropical areas. It is, however, in the tropics that the Pterin® reach 

 their full maximum of colour decoration, the plain whites and brimstones of the Palearctic 

 area being frequently shaded by the most vivid hues in tropical regions. 



But the moat remarkable features connected with the Pterins are their gregarious and 

 migratory habits. Of the first peculiarity we have, many independent records from different 

 parts of the world, a few only of which can here be recapitulated. In South Africa Mr. Trimen 

 bears witness that " the habits of the species of this division are often gregarious or pseudo- 

 gregarious, as considerable numbers of one kind are often found about some favourite spot or 

 attractive flowers; and little clusters of some species of 'Whites' may frequently be seen 

 congregated on the damp mud at the margins of pools or brooks." || This was strongly 

 witnessed in South-west Celebes by M. C. Piepers, and well described by that entertaining 

 entomologist. When travelling in that region, — to use his own words,— "niy companion 

 suddenly exclaimed, as we were crossing a nearly dry brook, 'Oh, look what a beautiful 

 flower I ! And on looking where he pointed I saw in the bed of the stream, amongst the damp 

 gravel, a beautiful orange-coloured flower with a white centre, about ten centimetres in 

 diameter. The strangeness of the occurrence led me to step nearer in order to observe it more 

 closely, when what did I see ? — the flower consisted of two concentric rings of butterflies 

 (CaUithjtas sciflla, Linn.), which had closed then- wings (which are yellow, and orange beneath), 

 and were busily sucking up the moisture from the damp sand, and thus represented in the 

 * most closely deceptive manner the petals of a flower. They surrounded five of another white 

 species of Pima similarly occupied, which thus seemed to form the white centre of the flower. 

 I still remember the amazement of my travelling companion, when on my nearer approach the 

 whole flower dissolved into a swarm of butterflies." f 



It was probably Pwrintv, or principally butterflies belonging to that subfamily, which 

 surprised and delighted Mr. E. L. Arnold in Southern India, on one of his excursions in the 

 dry season. He graphically relates that he " came upon a quiet nullah meandering through 

 the jungle. The bed by chance, just there, was broad and sandy, and the stream a single 



The Lwii subfamilies tuny iilmo. apparently, be separated by their mode of flight, as lit. CoUingwood, who observed 

 both in Borneo, (Inscribes "the swift Hight, how over the tops of the trees, now down near the ground, " as churactorietic of 

 tho Pieritwtt whilst the Popitionittte were distinguished "by their strength of whig and straight headlong course " ("Tht: 

 L< 1'idopt. of Labium"—' EnLoiuolugist/ lSCS, p. 14)* 



\ Faun. Ind-NVerl. Mom. Pier. 1805. j Trans. Ent, Soc. 18Cp7, 



§ Cietula Entouiologica, vol, L (1870), || Bhop. Air. Austr. p. 25. 



* Tijil. EnL xix. pp. xviii In \siv, and Kii^lklt trim<dutiou by Kirl.y, k LotoLnologbiL," x. p. 267- 



