368 
CEYLON 
and Polyommatus baeticus; the last four were all drinking at wet 
sand. In contradistinction to this very select assemblage, Talicada 
nyseus was present in great abundance. Mr. Green demonstrated 
to me the larva of this species feeding on the parenchyma between 
the upper and the nether epidermis of the fleshy-leaved Bryophyllum 
calycinum , Salisb. This plant is well known to those who are familiar 
with the forests of East or West under the name of the “ Life Plant ” 
from the fact that the leaves will produce roots. It is a member 
of the Crassulaceae and apparently of uncertain origin. Griesbach 
(“ Flora of the West Indies”) speaks of it as “ an Asiatic Weed, ranging 
now from Mexico to Guiana” 1 ; but Thwaites ( Enumeratio Plantarum 
Zeylandiae) wrote: “ Said to have been introduced.” It is somewhat 
difficult to believe this latter statement, since we find the larva of a 
butterfly highly characteristic of Southern India and Ceylon living 
as a miner in its leaves. What did that larva feed upon before the 
plant was introduced ? And how is it that the plant has two native 
names ? If it were not so common where it occurs T. nyseus would 
be prized for its beauty and its singularity. A member of a 
family in which it is often most difficult to distinguish the closely 
allied species, it stands out by itself, unlike any other. It was 
twice observed to settle with closed wings and head up, but at once 
to turn round, 2 and was several times seen to move its hind-wings in 
the characteristic Lycaenid manner. 
Other Blues met with were Zizera indica, of which one was seen 
sitting head down; Everes parrhasius ; Lampides hochus , and L. 
celeno; none of these were common. Caslalius ethion was, how¬ 
ever, somewhat more plentiful, especially about wet sand. Several 
females of Surendra quercetorum were taken off Lantana ; one of 
them was sitting head downwards. 
There is no question that the striking feature of the Haragama 
butterfly fauna is the abundance of Pierines, an abundance that is 
quite remarkable. Before going into details it may be of interest to 
quote my notes as to the hour of appearance of different kinds of 
butterflies. “ On February 13th I reached the bridge at 10 a.m., and 
found few butterflies about; the first Hebomoia put in an appearance 
at 10.30, it was abundant later; the first Papilio parinda was seen at 
11 a.m., it was very common later, the first Catophaga was also seen 
at 11, but it remained comparatively scarce all day ” (probably it 
was getting over, as there were still fewer on February 18th). 
Unfortunately I have no note of the weather, but have a note that 
1 I myself saw it in the Bermudas, in 1902, growing luxuriantly. 
2 See above, p. 114. 
