SIMLA 
41 
a Satyrid, having on the upper side a resemblance to our White 
Admiral, flying also with much of the grace of that favourite butter¬ 
fly. It loves open spaces in woods, returning to the same spot when 
disturbed. When it settles on the ground, a rock, a flower, or a tree- 
trunk, it often leans over on one side as much as 45° or even 50°. I 
saw one of these butterflies make three successive efforts, getting 
further over each time. On two distinct occasions I watched a 
butterfly settle twice, turning the first time over to the right, the 
second time to the left. I think there is no doubt that this “ list ” 
makes the insect less conspicuous when settled. 
Pararge schahra} Koll., is another common roadside butterfly in 
the Simla district; it closely resembles our P. megaera, Linn., but is 
larger. Chrysophanus phlaects, Linn., var. timeus , Cram., was also 
common; Colias fieldii , Menet., is sufficiently like our 0. edusa to pass 
readily for that species ; Polyommatus baeticus, Linn., is also sugges¬ 
tive of our South Downs, where it has been seen occasionally; the 
same may be said of Argynnis lathonia, Linn., var. issaea, Moore. 
Again, Pyrameis indica, Herbst, is very like our P. atalanta , Linn., 
though not so handsome and scarcely as graceful in its movements. 
So far there was plenty to bring to mind the fact that we were still 
within the Palaearctic Eegion. There were, however, a few insects to 
suggest the close proximity of the great Oriental Region, for if Atella 
phalantha , Drury, is very like a Fritillary (at least as seen from above), 
and Ilerda sena , Koll., closely resembles a Hairstreak, on the other 
hand the under-side of Belenois mesentina , Cram., is decidedly more 
brilliant than our Whites, while there is no denying that Precis 
(Junonia) orithyia , Linn., is quite Oriental in its aspect. This insect 
had struck me with admiration at Solon on the way up to Simla, and 
is called by the school-boys of India’s summer capital, “ The Ladies’ 
Fancy.” With the habits of a Vanessa or Pyrameis , there is some¬ 
thing about the shape of the wings, the prominent ocelli, the brilliant 
blue of the hind-wings, and the leaf-like colouring of the under-side 
which gives this butterfly a very tropical appearance. However, I 
soon learned to look upon it as amongst the most familiar butter¬ 
flies of Northern India. At Fagu it was common, but like most 
butterflies which have a proclivity for settling on the ground, not too 
easy to catch. 
At Fagu another butterfly of quite European aspect was common, 
Vanessa kashmirensis, Koll.; this is no credit to its name, looking 
like an urticae that had been born and bred in the “ Black country.” 
1 Should not this be shakra ? 
