i8o 
A NA T UR A LIST ON THE PROWL . 
on me as I grinned at it, my head resting between my 
shoulder-blades and my neck feeling like the stalk of a 
fruit which is ready to drop from the tree. At last an old 
bucket from a deserted house, turned upside down, added 
the necessary foot to my stature, and in a few minutes 
more those shining brown and black wings were flapping 
fiercely in the folds of my net. Never again will intna 
afford me that ecstasy, nor any of those I see around me 
to-day. I must be content with the more peaceable 
pleasure of watching them and chewing the cud of past 
joys. 
One remarkable thing about this assemblage is that it 
is attended only by males. The females avoid places of 
public resort, and those of the higher castes appear to be 
strictly purdah-nishin. What would I give to find the 
zenana of imna or schreiberi ! Another remarkable thing 
is that when you do chance to find the caterpillars of any 
of these basking butterflies, it is often at the foot of the 
hill. What prompts them to forsake the haunts of their 
childhood and throng the mountain top ? Do they enjoy 
the freshness of the air at this great height, or has the 
beauty of the scenery charms for them too ? 
Do not assume that questions f this sort are meant for 
