NYMPIIA LIN PE (Group NYMPH ALIN A.) 
93 
colour and forming* obscure ocelli. In some specimens the ground-colour is uniformly 
purpurescent ochreous-brown and striated with black. 
Female. Upperside as in the male, the greyish-blue bands somewhat broader. 
Underside as in male. Body olivescent blue-black, beneath and forelegs dark grey ; 
middle and hindlegs brownish-ochreous ; antennas black above, reddish-ochreous 
beneath; eyes reddish. 
Expanse, d 2^ to 2^, ? 2^ to 3 inches. 
Larva. —“ Segments alternately orange and white, with numerous black spots on 
the orange segments, and black streaks on the white ; seven white branching black- 
tipped spines on each orange segment. 
Pupa. —Variegated reddish-brown with frontal gold and silver spots; head 
produced and bifid. 5 ’ (Gr. F. Hampson, J. A. S. Beng. 1888, 355.) 
Habitat. —W. and E. Himalayas; Malda; Assam; SL.India ; Burma. 
Distribution and Habits. —“ This very beautiful insect occurs throughout the 
Himalayas, Bholahat, Malda, in Assam, and in Burma. It is also found in the hills 
of South India. It has a swift flight, and in the Simla Hills is often found in the 
bed of a stream, up and down which it flies within a certain limited distance, often 
settling on a stone with open wings. It frequents paths in forests, occasionally 
settling on the ground with open wings; if disturbed it settles with closed wings on 
the bark of a tree, where its rich dark colouring completely hides it ” (de Niceville, 
lx. p. 232). We possess specimens from Kashmir; Thundiani, taken in September 
by Col. J. W. Yerbury ; Kasauli; Nepal ; Khasias, Nilgiris ; Wynaad; Shevaroy Hills, 
and Travancore. Capt. A. M. Lang, in his MS. Notes on the butterflies of the 
Western Himalayas, says, “ This is a thorough forest insect, of swift flight. It is a 
handsome butterfly on the wing, flashing past, now in the deep shade of the Oak and 
Rhododendron, now in the broad sunlight, it gleams all blue as a sapphire.” Capt. 
H. B. Hellard took it in “ August and September, in Masuri, the Buspa Valley, and 
in Kashmir” (MS. Notes). ce It is common at Murree in August and September; 
found along this Hill as far as Thundiana, also at Dewal. It is fond of pitching on the 
trunks of trees, particularly of the Ilex when the tree has been wounded and the sap 
is exuding ” (Col. J. W. Yerbury, P. Z. S. 1886, 361). It is <c common in Masuri and 
in the interior from May to December. A few also taken in the Dun in October 55 
(P. W. Mackinnon, J. Bombay N. H. S. 1898, 375). Mr. W. Doherty obtained it in 
“Kumaon generally from 2500 to 8000 feet elevation. Rather rare” (J. As. Soc. 
Beng. 1886, 122). Mr. H. J. Elwes records it as occurring in st Sikkim, but never 
commonly, up to 5000 to 6000 feet elevation, during the greater part of the year ” (Tr. 
Ent. Soc. 1888, 362). Mr. Gr. F. Hampson obtained it in the “ Nilgiris, at 3000 to 
7000 feet elevation,” and describes both the larva and pupa (J. As. Soc. Bengal, 1888, 
355). Col. C. H. E. Adamson records it as ee common at Bhamo, Upper Burma, 
