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CONTENTS OF VOLUME VI

Part XXI.— March, 1909.

PAGE

1. Fletcher, T. B. —

The Plume-Moths of Ceylon. Part I. The Ptero-

phoridse . . • • 1

2. Cameron, P.—

On some undescribed Ichneumonidae and Braconidse

reared by Mr. T. Bainbrigge Fletcher, R.N., from

Ceylonese Lepidoptera (Pterophoridae) . . 40

3. Parsons, J. —

Two Fragments . . . . 44

4. Notes. —

1. Ambalantota to Hambegamuwa. A. Willey . . 49

2. Random Notes. J. Still . . . . 53

3. Some rare Aculeate Hymenoptera in Ceylon. O. S.

Wickwar . . . . 54

4. Snakes of Badulla. S. H. Pearless . . 54

Part XXII. — September, 1909.

1. Ancient Bronzes in the Colombo Museum; with Descrip¬

tions of some Polonnaruwa Bronzes by the Hon. Mr.

P. Arunachalam, Registrar-General ; and Remarks on

Inscriptions by D. M. de Z. Wickremasinghe, Government

Epigraphist . . . . 57-

2. Notes. — *

1. Prehistoric Fortifications. J. B. Andrews . . 75

2. Gold Embedding. A. K. Coomaraswamy . . 76

Part XXIII. — December, 1909.

1. Eliot, Sir C. —

Notes on a Collection of Nudibranchs from Ceylon . . 79

2. Michaelsen, W. —

On a New Megascolex from Ceylon . . . . 96

3. Willey, A.—

The Occurrence of Solenostoma off the Coast of Ceylon. . 102

4. Willey, A. —

Observations on the Nests, Eggs, and Larvae of Ophio-

cephalus striatus ' . . . . 108

5. Notes. —

1. Review of H. Maxwell-Lefroy’s “ Indian Insect Life.”

A. Willey

124

( iv )

PAGE

2. The Colombo Crow — a case of the Survival of the

Fittest. N. Manders . . 130

3. Pugnacity of the Brongo. E. E. Green . . 130

4. Arboreal Habit of Varanus. E. E. Green . . 131

5. Habits of Babblers. V. A. Julius . . . . 13^

6. Figure of Kapila at Isurumuniya Vihara. A. K.

Coomaraswamy . . . . . . 132

7. A Sinhalese Game. A. A. Perera . . . . 133

8. Birth of a Loris. S. H. Pearless . . . . 134

9. Rambling Notes. E. E. Green . . . . 134

Part XXIV. — May, 1910.

1. Southwell, T. —

Descriptive Note on the capture of a large Saw-fish

containing Embryos . . . . . . 137

2. Hancock, J. L. —

Notes on Ceylonese Tetriginse, with Descriptions of some

New Species . . . . . . 140

3. Fletcher, T. B.—

The Plume-Moths of Ceylon. Part II. The Orneodidge . . 150

4. Brunetti, E. —

Notes on Ceylon Diptera . . . . 170

5. Notes. —

1. An Albino Wagtail. W. A. Cave . . . . 173

2. The Call of the Flying Squirrel. E. E. Green . . 173

3. Cobra Reminiscences. H. O. Barnard . . 174

4. Superficial Resemblance between Larva and Mutilla.

O. S. Wickwar . . . . 178

5. Nesting of Sceliphron. O. S. Wickwar . . 179

6. Association of Barnacles with Snakes and Worms.

A. Willey . . . . 180

7. Nest of the Bambara Bee. A. Willey . . 181

8. Symbols and Offerings. A. Willey . . 182

9. Chank and other Objects from the Maha Devale,

Kandy. A. K. Coomaraswamy . . 185

10. Review of Malcolm Burr’s “ Earwigs of India,

Ceylon, and Burma.” E. E. Green . . 186

11. The Bite of Russell’s Viper. A. E. Spaar . . 188

SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

ISSUED BY

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CEYLON.

Vol. VI.— Part XXI. Mabch, 1909.

CONTENTS.

1. Fletcher, T. B. — page

The Plume-Moths of Ceylon . . 1

2. Cameron, P. —

On some Undescribed Ichneumonidse and Braconidae,

reared by Mr. T. Bainbrigge Fletcher, R.N., from

Ceylonese Lepidoptera (Pterophoridae) . . 40

3. Parsons, J. —

Two Fragments . . . . 44

4. Notes.— A. Willey, J. Still, O. S. Wickwar, S. H. Pearless . . 49

With Plates anil Illustrations.

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SPOLIA ZEYLANICA

THE PLUME-MOTHS OF CEYLON

Part I —The Pteropharidse.

By T. Bainbrigge Fletcher, R.N., F.E.S.

(With 5 Plates and a Map.)

Introductory.

IN popular language the term “ Plume Moths ” generally

includes the members of two families, the Pterophoridse or

true plumes and the Orneodidse or 24-plumes, whose common

peculiarity lies in the fact that their wings are more or less

split into segments resembling feathers or plumes. Both these

families are doubtless very ancient forms, as is shown by their

universal distribution and the absence of any other nearly allied

groups. Nor must it be imagined that the Pterophoridse and

Orneodidse are at all closely related, merely because they are both

included under the popular term of “ Plume Moths ” ; as a matter of

fact, they seem as little related to one another as either is to any

other group of the Micro-lepidoptera.

Fission of the wings, indeed, occurs sporadically in many other

groups of the Lepidoptera : for example, the Syntomidse (which

have been held to be the most specialized of all moths) include the

curious Trichceta pterophorina , Mab., from Natal and Mashonaland,

in which the fore wing is deeply cleft ; the Arctiadae include Ehago-

phanes tortriciformis, Z.,from Java, in which the hind wing is cleft

to its middle ; whilst amongst the Oxychirotidae we find Cenoloba

obliteralis, Wlk. (specimens of which I possess from Trincomalee), in

which both wings are cleft into two segments.

As regards any advantages conferred by this fission of the wings

nothing is known, but it seems probable that some advantage will be

found in considering the mechanics of flight amongst these species.

Where rapidity of flight is not a desideratum it appears reasonable

to suppose that a light framework of wing (so to speak), supple¬

mented by a large surface of long cilia, will be of advantage as

compared with the ordinary type of lepidopterous wing by giving

an equal measure of aerial support for less weight, and consequently

less expenditure of muscular energy ; the same device is seen in

7(6)09

B

2

SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

many of the minute species of Tineina, in which the cilia are enor¬

mously developed. As regards the origin of the clefts, it has been

suggested that these have been developed along lines of weakness

caused originally by the folding of the wings when at rest.

The Pterophoridse may be described roughly as small, slim moths

with long legs ; the fore wings usually cleft into two segments, the

hindwings into three ; maxillary palpi obsolete ; the rows of

specialized scales near the dorsal margin on the basal half of the

second segment of the hind wings are also characteristic. They are

often attracted to light at night, or may be disturbed from low-

growing herbage in the daytime, when they usually fly only a short

distance and alight on a stem or the upper surface of a leaf, where

they rest with their wings nearly horizontal and held out at right

angles with the body, the hind wings being folded up under the

fore wings. But they are best obtained by breeding the larvae,

which are readily found once the food plant is known.

Bibliography.

Until within the last three or four years the Plume-moths of

Ceylon have suffered neglect at the hands of collectors and system -

atists alike. In 1864, in his “ List of Insects in the British Museum,”

Francis Walker enumerated four species (argyriodactyla , anisodac-

tylus , oxydactylus, and leucadCictylus) , collected by Ur. Templeton and

Mr. Nietner, all of which were described as new ; in 1875 Felder

figured and named taprobanes , which had been brought back by

the Austrian Scientific Expedition in the frigate “ Novara ; ” in

1887, in his “ Lepidoptera of Ceylon,” F. Moore quoted Walker’s

descriptions and Felder’s figure and described as new one species

( serindibanus ) which has since proved identical with a well-known

European species ; and in 1891 Lord Walsingham described and

figured concursa.

During a period of forty years, then, only seven species had been

found to occur in Ceylon ; in 1905 Mr. E. Meyrick commenced his

descriptions of Indian Micro -Lepidoptera in the “ Journal of the

Bombay Natural History Society,” and in the three years, 1905-

1907, the former number has represented about the average annual

additions to the list, thanks to the energies of our local lepidopterists,

and to this number again I now add another eight species or “ forms.”

Although there is no reason to believe that no further additions will

be made to our list — indeed, I venture to suppose that our local

Pterophorid fauna will eventually be found to include at least fifty

species or forms — yet it has seemed to me that a useful end will be

served by collecting together the various items that have been

published or discovered regarding the Plume -moths of Ceylon. A

review of what is already known will at least clear the ground for

further work,

PLUME-MOTHS OF CEYLON.

3

Identification.

One of the great difficulties of all local workers at zoology in the

tropics lies in the identification of their specimens. “ Si nomina

nescis, perit et cognitio rerum,” and nowhere is this truer than in

entomology. Considerations of space have prevented my giving a

detailed description of all the species, but the tables will facilitate

determination, which may then be confirmed by reference to the

descriptions and figures cited under each species.

There should be little difficulty in identification by means of the

analytical keys to the genera and species, but a few words of expla¬

nation may be advisable. Each key is dichotomous throughout,

that is to say, each heading is subdivided into two until the final

results are reached. Each head is numbered consecutively, and

each subdivision of a head is made to refer either to a final result or

to a following head. There are two stages in the identification of

any species, the finding first of its genus and secondly of its specific

name.

To take an actual example. Firstly, we have to note whether

the wings are fissured or not ; we find they are fissured, and are

referred to the number 3 on the right of the page. Now, turning to

the number 3 lower down on the left of the page, we see that the

fore wings have two lobes and are referred to the number 4, which

we follow down in the same way. The cilia contain distinct scale -

tufts, which brings us to number 5. The dorsal cilia of third

segment of the hind wing contain a distinct scale-tuft, which refers

us to number 9. The second segment of the fore wing is distinctly

broad, so that the specimen must fall under number 10 and, as

the segments of the hind wing are differently shaped, it must be a

Platyptilia .

The second stage is to find the specific name. We turn to the

Synopsis of the Species of Platyptilia and note that our specimen

has the abdomen shorter than the dorsum of the fore wing, its

pectus is not yellow, and the large scale-tooth on dorsum of third

segment of the hind wing touches the apex, so that the moth must be

P. pusillidactyla, an identification whose accuracy is strengthened

on turning to that species by the fact that we bred it from a boxful

of flower and seed heads picked off a Lantana bush.

In drawing up the key to the genera some difficulties have pre¬

sented themselves, due to the fact that I have endeavoured to make

use only of characters easily made out by means of a simple lens at

most, without the aid of the microscopic manipulation ' necessary

to determine details of neuration, &c. ; however, it is hoped that

local collectors will find the table quite workable. Should examin¬

ation of the neuration be necessary the following method may be

adopted : take a glass slide and smear on its centre a thin layer of

clove oil with a fine brush, remove the wings and place them in

4

SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

position on the slide, lightly smearing them over with clove oil,

carefully cover them with a drop or two of Canada balsam, and

apply over them a cover-glass, which maybe held down by a clip or

small weight for a few days until the balsam is hard. By adjusting

the mirror of the microscope, so that the rays fall a little obliquely,

the nervures show up fairly well. Descaling by means of a very

fine brush or by immersion in “ Eau de Javelle ” is not, as a rule,

satisfactory, except in the case of large specimens.

Structure.

For the convenience of local collectors I give a diagram showing

the terms used in descriptions of the parts of a wing : —

Positions in the wing are reckoned from the base outwards ; for example,

a marking at position B in the figure would be described as a marking on costa

at f ; one at position K would be in disc at | ; one at M would be a subcostal

PLUME-MOTHS OF CEYLON.

5

Synonyms and Citations.

The more important of these will be found quoted under the

various species, but I regret to say that many of these papers are

inaccessible to the ordinary student in Ceylon, i.e., no copies are to

be found in any public or scientific library in the Island. The most

generally useful papers are those on the family by Mr. Meyrick in

Trans. Entom. Soc., London, for 1886 and 1907, and in the Bombay

Society’s Journal, vol. XVI., part 4, et seq. The descriptions in

Walker’s Catalogue are hopeless without reference to the type-

specimens, and Moore’s “ Lepidoptera of Ceylon” and Cotes’ and

Swinhoe’s “ Catalogue of the Moths of India ” may safely be ignored

by workers in this group.

Contractions.

The following contractions are employed : — -

B. J.

E. M. M.

Entom.

f.w. . .

h.w.

Linn. Ent. VI. .

Meyr.

Pag.

P. Z. S.

T. E. 8.

Wlk., Cat, XXX

Wlsm.

Zell.

Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society.

Entomologists’ Monthly Magazine.

The Entomologist,

fore wing:

hind wing.

Linnsea Entomologica, Vol. VI. (1852).

E. Meyrick.

A. Pagenstecher.

Proc. Zoological Society of London.

Trans. Entomological Society of London.

F. Walker, List of the Lepidopterous Insects in

the British Museum, Part XXX. (London,

1864).

Lord Walsingham.

P. C. Zeller.

Localities. (See Map. )

Parts of the Island have been fairly well worked, e.g., the districts

around Kandy, Maskeliya, Madulsima, and Diyatalawa ; of other

parts we know a little, e.g., Puttalam, Trincomalee, and the coast

line between Colombo and Hambantota ; the rest of Ceylon is as

yet practically a terra incognita . As places likely to yield novelties

1 would especially indicate the Ratnapura District, the Kelani

Valley, and that part of the Island lying north of a line drawn

from Puttalam to Trincomalee.

Times of Appearance.

As a rule, I have thought it unnecessary to enumerate exact dates

of capture, as my experience has led me to conclude that nearly all

our Ceylon plumes are continuously-brooded, and that some indi¬

viduals may be found at almost any time of the year. I would

impress upon collectors, however, the desirability of recording exact

dates of capture on the labels of all their specimens.

6

SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

Faunal Resemblances.

As the geographical distribution is given under each species, I do

not propose to enter into the subject here. Of the thirty-seven

species enumerated, however, twelve (or 32 per cent.) are at present

only known from Ceylon ; seventeen (or 46 per cent.) are wide-

ranging forms which occur in at least two other localities ; four

(or 11 per cent.) have only been found hitherto in the Khasi Hills

(Assam) ; and Java, India, the South Indian Hills, and Australia

each produces one species which is only known otherwise from

Ceylon.

At present we know too little of the distribution of the Ptero-

phoridae in general to permit of any useful deductions being drawn,

but a point which has especially struck me is the great resemblance

shown by the plume fauna of Ceylon to those of the Khasi Hills

(Assam) and Java. The fact of finding such forms as P. citropleura

and A. melanopoda in localities so widely separated as the Khasi

Hills and the central districts of Ceylon seems to me either to argue

the immense antiquity of a specific existence which reaches back

to a time when Ceylon and Assam were connected (if ever they

were) or else to point to the wonderful powers of dispersal (? by

the monsoon winds) possessed by these little moths. The latter

supposition appears the more probable.

Acknowledgments.

One of the most pleasing duties in writing a paper like the present

lies in the fact that some acknowledgment can be made for the

many instances of help freely rendered by friends and corre¬

spondents. To Mr. E. Meyrick my thanks are due for the ready and

courteous way in which he has replied to the innumerable queries

which have arisen in working at this subject away from type-

collections and libraries ; his published papers must also form the

basis of all work on the plume moths of India and Ceylon. Messrs.

E. E. Green, W. Vaughan, J. Pole, F. M. Mackwood, W. Ormiston,

and 0. S. Wickwar have most generously helped with specimens

collected by themselves, and I am also indebted to Mr. G. B. de

Mowbray, who kindly sent me his collection for inspection. Dr. J.

C. Willis has assisted most substantially by the identification of the

various plants on which larvae have been found.

Synoptic Table of Genera of the Pterophoridae of

Ceylon.

c Wings not fissured

* [ Wings fissured

c Outer margin of f.w. not falcate

^ i Outer margin of f.w. strongly falcate

.. 2

.. 3

. . Agdistis

. . Steganodactyla

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

PLUME-MOTHS OF CEYLON.

Fore wing four-lobed

Fore wing three-lobed

Fore wing two-lobed

Cilia with scale -tufts or specially modified

scales, or either segment of f.w. banded

transversely, or second segment of f.w.

with distinct tornal angle ; any or all of

these characters may co-exist

Cilia with no scale -tufts or specially modi¬

fied scales, neither segment of f.w.

banded transversely, second segment of

f.w. without any tornal angle ; all these

characters must co-exist

Third segment of h.w. with no scale-tuft in

dorsal cilia

Third segment of h.w. with a scale-tuft in

dorsal cilia

Cleft of f.w. less than half wing-length . .

Cleft of f.w. at least half wing-length

Dorsal cilia of f.w. with scattered large

black scales

Dorsal cilia of f.w. without scattered large

black scales

Only one nervure in first segment of f.w. ;*

abdomen usually very large and stout,

often strikingly ornamented dorsally ;

resting position in life with wings spread

out and closely appressed to the resting-

surface

More than one nervure in first segment of

f.w. ;* abdomen usually rather small,

slender, and dull-coloured, and, if orna¬

mented, the pattern is generally lateral ;

resting position in life with wings folded

up and held well clear of the resting-

surface

Second segment of f.w. linear

Second segment of f.w. not linear

Segments of h.w. differently shaped

Segments of h.w. similarly shaped

Ground-colour of wings pale ochreous

Ground-colour of wings not pale ochreous

F.w. with dark blotch before cleft

F.w. without dark blotch before cleft

7

Heptaloba

Deuterocopus

4

5

12

6

9

7

8

Exelastis

Stenoptilia

Diacrotricha

Trichoptilus (part)

10

Platyptilia

11

Sphenarches

Oxyptilus

Pterophorus

Alucita

* Compare figures D and E in Plate C.

8

SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

Family.— -PTEROPHORID/E.

Sub-family. — AGDISTINJZ.

AGDISTIS, Hb.

Synopsis of the Species.

Expanse 24 mm. F.w. with an oblique apical white

streak . . . . . sinhala

Expanse 15-16 mm. No apical white streak r . nanodes

Agdistis nanodes, Meyr.

B. J., XVII. , 136.

Locality. — Puttalam. The four specimens, on which the species

is founded, were taken between August and November.

This species is unknown to me, except from the description

quoted above.

Agdistis sinhala, n.s.

6. Expanse 24 mm. Antennse ciliated (1), gray. Palpi

densely scaled, gray, faintly irrorated with fuscous ; projecting

nearly length of head beyond it. Fore legs gray irrorated above

with fuscous and with a conspicuous dilation at end of tibia. (Second

pair of legs wanting.) Hind legs very long light, gray, spurs

minute, first pair at about two-thirds, second pair apical. Head

gray, with a faint fuscous median line. Thorax pale fuscous, with

a sub-dorsal grayish longitudinal line. Abdomen very long and

slender, pale gray, darkening apically ; a pale fuscous dorsal line on

first three abdominal segments ; anal tuft pale gray. Fore wing

elongate, narrow, widening exteriorly, with a slightly falcate apex

and distinct tornal angle ; grayish fuscous ; a dark fuscous bar

along dorsum from base to about J ; outer third of wing (except

costa) irrorated with dark fuscous and traversed by an oblique

white streak most conspicuous in apex. Cilia grayish-fuscous.

Hind wing triangular, apex acute, outer margin undulate with two

very shallow excavations in normal positions of clefts ; fuscous.

Cilia fuscous, rather long in vicinity of anal angle.

Type 6 (No. 6,900) in Coll. Bainbrigge Fletcher.

Locality. — A single specimen was taken at Kandy on December 22,

1907, by Mr. E. Ernest Green, to whose kind assistance in working

at the Pterophoridse of Ceylon I am much indebted.

Observation. — Unfortunately this specimen is in poor condition,

but I have carefully compared it with examples of eight Agdistid

species in my collection and with the descriptions of all the other

species described in this genus, and have no doubt of its distinctness.

PLUME-MOTHS OF CEYLON.

9

STEGANODACTYLA, Wlsm.

Steganodactyla concurs a, Wlsm.

E. M. M., 1891, 241 ; Novitates Lepidopt., t. xii., f. 3.

Distribution. — Colombo, Galle, Weligama, Kandy, Pundalu-oya,

Madulsima, Diyatalawa, Haputale.

Early Stages. — The larva feeds between the young unexpended

leaves of a common climbing Argyreia and also of Ipomoea populi-

folia, eating the upper cuticular surface of the leaf into tell-tale

patches.

The full-grown larva may be described as stout, rather flattened.

Head pale yellow. Other segments a pale grayish-green, interstices

of segments (only visible when expanded) darker green. Dorsal

surface pale ; warts with a little orange-yellow about their bases,

often forming a distinct orange-yellow or reddish median stripe.

An ill-defined broad dark lateral shade appears to be caused by

the contents of the alimentary canal, as it disappears towards the

anal extremity when frass is voided. Hairs white, usually very

conspicuous. (Plate E, figure 1.)

In confinement the larva generally wanders off the food plant to

pupate, but occasionally attaches itself to the upper surface of the

midrib of a leaf. I have never found the pupa in nature.

The pupa is usually suspended horizontally to a vertical support,

being closely appressed ventrally to the resting-surface by the

double set of cremastral hooks. Its colour, which is variable, is

some shade of pale green, but it always has a broad reddish medio-

dorsal stripe. These colours fade into a greenish-brown shortly

before emergence, which takes place after about six days, the

moth generally appearing in the late evening, quite contrary to the

ordinary habits of plume moths. The pupa is comparatively

extremely small, and it seems marvellous how such a large moth

can emerge from a pupa-case which does not seem sufficiently large

to contain its abdomen alone. (Plate E, figure 2.)

' Habits . — Although the larvse are common and easy to find and

rear up, the moth itself appears to be of a very retiring nature and

‘is rarely seen in a wild state, although it occasionally comes into

light. It is very difficult to beat from the food plant and, when it

is disturbed, the flight is rapid and the moth easily overlooked.

Observation. — It is noteworthy that up-country specimens — i.e.,

from Kandy and above — are distinctly larger than those from the

coast districts, the former having an average expanse of about

16-17 mm. as against about 12-13 mm. in the case of the latter.

It may be permissible to conjecture that this difference is due directly

to climate, the up-country specimens having had longer-feeding

larvse which, as a rule, produce larger imagines than larvse which

feed for a shorter period of time ; but, of course, this is one of the

innumerable problems in Sinhalese entomology in which we require

7(6)09

c

10

SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

actual experiments instead of theoretic deductions, which can at

best be only guesses at the truth.

Sub-family. — PLAT YPTILINJE.

STENOPTILIA, Hb.

Synopsis of the Species.

First segment of f.w. with anal angle . . zophodactyla

“First segment of f.w. without anal angle . . petrsea

Stenoptilia zophodactyla, Dup.

Duponchel, Hist. Nat. Lep., XL, 668, t. 314, 4; Leech, Brit.

Pyral. 60 ; Meyr., Handbk, 440 ; Tutt, Brit. Lep., V., 319 ; Meyr.,

E. M. M., 1907, 146 ; Meyr., T. E. S., 1907, 504.

Distribution. — Diyatalawa, Hakgala, Madulsima.

In Ceylon this is decidedly a hill species, being found on dry

patana hillsides at a height of about 4,000 feet and over.

Its recorded distribution outside Ceylon includes Argentina,

Eastern Australia, India, Central and Southern Europe, Asia

Minor, and Armenia.

Early Stages. — The egg is quite of the Platyptilid type, being oval,

with both ends equal and rounded oh. In colour it is of a uniform

pale green, the surface delicately reticulated.

The early stages of the larva have not yet been observed in

Ceylon, but the following is a description of a full-fed larva found

at Diyatalawa on September 17, 1907 : —

“ The larva, at rest and apparently about full-fed, is about 10 mm.

long, stout, stoutest about third segment and tapering thence

gradually. Head pale yellow with black ocelli. Colour a pale

green, the spiracles narrowly ringed with black ; they are situated

about half way up the segments but do not seem raised above the

skin-surface at all. There is a broad medio-dorsal stripe, purple at

the edges, but very dark internally. This is narrowly and obscurely

edged by a narrow whitish-green longitudinal stripe, of a tint

slightly paler than the ground-colour. Half way between the lower

edge of this stripe and the spiracle is a second similar whitish-green

stripe, and a third similar stripe occurs on the latero- ventral surface

at a distance below the spiracle, equal to that of the second stripe

above it. The two latero-dorsal setigerous tubercles are situated

at a horizontal distance apart, equal to about one-third of the width

of the segment ; the foremost one bears a short black hair, the

aftermost a similar wdiite hair ; the tubercles themselves are very

small and inconspicuous. Just above the spiracle occurs a short

white hair, directed outwards. Just below the spiracle are (i.) a

very short white hair directed forward, (ii.) a short white hair

directed backward. The whole body, particularly on the dorsal

and ventral regions, is thickly covered with minute short, black,

bristly hairs. The legs are fairly large and are yellowish in colour ;

PLUME-MOTHS OF CEYLON.

11

prolegs rather small, greenish-yellow. The larva feeds on the

flowers and seeds of Sopubia trifida .”

In the case of another larva, the 6th and 11th segments had a

round pale spot in the purple dorsal stripe on each side of its central

darker line. (Plate E, figure 3.)

The pupa is long and narrow, of a pale yellowish-green colour

with a broad purplish-red dorsal stripe ; the usual white hairs are

so short that they are only just perceptible under a lens. The

larval skin is discarded entirely and is shrunk up into. a minute pellet.

The pupa is capable of rapid and violent motions in the ventro¬

dorsal plane, the head being bent backwards dorsally until it touches

the anal extremity. The pupa is suspended head downwards,

ventral surface against support.

Stenoptilia PETRiEA, Meyr.

T. E. S., 1907, 504.

Distribution. — Diyatalawa. The only specimen that I have seen

was beaten from a clump of bushes in a marshy valley near the

Rifle Range on August 19, 1907.

Originally described from the Palni and Nilgiri Hills in Southern

India.

Observation.^ Superficially very similar to zophodactyla, but

structurally distinct by the shape of the first segment of the fore

wings, which is narrower and with lower margin straight to apex,

so that there is no lower angle. This pecularity is very distinct

and striking, once attention is directed to it.

PLAT YPTILI A , Hb.

Synopsis of the Species.

^ C Abdomen as long as dorsum of fore wing . . brachymorpha

t Abdomen shorter than dorsum of fore wing 2

j Pectus and ventral surface of abdomen

2 I canary-yellow . . . . 3

Pectus and ventral surface of abdomen not

canary-yellow . . , . 4 **

Base of cleft of f.w. is outside of a line

i drawn to costa from outer scale-tuft on

3 j dorsum . . . . citropleura

| Base of cleft of f.w. is directly over outer

■| dorsal scale-tuft . . . . taprobanes

[ Large scale-tooth on dorsum of third seg-

^ | ment of h.w. is apical or nearly so . . pusillidactyla

| Large scale-tooth on dorsum of third seg-

[ ment of h.w. does not reach beyond J . . molopias

Note . — I have seen no specimens of P. direptalis , Wlk., and

from the descriptions only I am unable to separate it from P. molo¬

pias , which latter is a most variable species.

12

SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

Platyptilia brack ymorpha, Meyr.

(Plate A., figure 3.)

Brachymorpha. — Meyr., T. E. S., 1888, 240 ; B. J., XVII., 135 ;

T. E. S., 1907, 483.

Seeboldi. — Hofmann, Iris, XI., 33.

Distribution. — Puttalam, Galle, Trincomalee, Dambulla, Madul-

sima, Arawa, Alutnuwara, Mankulam, Anuradhapura, Kegalla,

Haldummulla.

Apparently confined to the low-country. Outside of Ceylon, it

has been recorded from Syria, India, South Africa, and Hawaii.

Early Stages. — The life-history is quite unknown. The larva may

be looked for on the flowers of some composite plant growing in

dry, sandy places.

Platyptilia direptalis, WlJc.

Wlk., Cat. XXX., 934 ; Meyr., T. E. S., 1907, 485.

Distribution. — Pattipola. I have not seen this species. It

occurs also in India, and has been recorded from Cape Colony and

the Congo. In India and Ceylon it seems to be essentially a hill

species, all the records being from localities with an elevation of

6,000 feet or over.

Platyptilia molopias, Meyr.

(Plate A., figure 1.)

Molopias.— Meyr®, B. J., XVII., 135.

Mesopterna. — Meyr., M. S. S. (ined.).

Distribution. — Maskeliya, Kandy, Peradeniya, Nuwara Eliya,

Hakgala, Pattipola, Diyatalawa, Madulsima.

Not yet recorded, except from Ceylon, where it is fairly common

in the hill districts.

Early Stages. — Ovum. — The egg is about • 47 mm. long by about

*3 mm. broad, the micropylar end distinctly the larger and

flattened ; in colour it is of a very pale green, the surface reticulated

with large but shallow rounded depressions.

Larva. — Larvae were found on May 18, 1908, at Madulsima,

feeding on the flowers and unripe seeds of Teucrium tomentosum,

Hey. The larva is of a very pale green colour, and is very difficult

to discern when in situ on the food plant. Half-grown examples

often seem to have a narrow reddish medio-dorsal stripe, lacking

in adults, which latter have sometimes some lateral reddish markings

on the thoracic segments. Like all “ plume ” larvae, however, this

one is very variable in colour, and some examples might be

described as reddish with a greenish latero-dorsal suffusion on the

abdominal segments. The head is yellowish or pale green, the ocelli

very distinctly marked in black. The segmental divisions are

sharply distinct. All primary hairs are white ; the longest hairs

PLUMB-MOTHS OF CEYLON*

13

are a little longer than the diameter of the segments on which they

arise. The legs are yellowish-green, extremities of claws reddish.

Prolegs very transparent pale green, hooks reddish. Spiracles very

inconspicuous. Secondary hairs short, bl^ck. (Plate E, figure 4.)

Parasites. — Of some fifty or sixty larvae collected, about 75 per

cent, were found to be attacked by a small black ichneumonid fly.

Pupa. — The pupa is suspended freely by the tail from an empty

flower-sheath of the food plant. It is rather short, the appendage

sheaths very long and well separated. Colour a pale flesh-pink,

mottled longitudinally with brown ; head and wing-sheaths pale

greenish, the latter with longitudinal brown shading. Dorsal

prominences small, distinct, sub equal, directed forward, except the

first, which is extremely large, directed backwards, blunt, but

tipped anteriorly with a sharp spine whose point is bent forward.

This large prominence is sharply outlined by a deep brown shading

which reaches obliquely anteriorly half way across the wing-cover.

A second brown shade, parallel to the first but less intense and

narrower, occurs on the 6th segment, but barely reaches on to the

wing-sheath.

Imago. — The moth emerges from the pupa after about a week.

Platyptilia pusillidactyla, Wile.

(Plate A., figure 2.)

Pusillidactyla. — Wlk. , Cat. XXX., 933; Wlsm., P. Z. S., 1891,

495 ; 1. c., 1897, 57; Meyr., T. E. S., 1907, 483.

Tecnidion. — Zeller, Hor. Soc. Ent. Ross., XIII., 468 (1877).

Hemimetra. — Meyr., T. E. S., 1886, 18 ; B. J., XVII., 135.

Distribution. — Anuradhapura, Kurunegala, Kegalla, Galle, Weli-

gama, Trincomalee, Puttalam, Colombo, Matale, Maturata, Kandy,

Peradeniya, Maskeliya, Diyatalawa, Bandar awela, Passara, Madul-

sima, Badulla, Haldummulla.

Abundant throughout Ceylon in every district that has been

invaded by Lantana.

Early Stages. — Ovum. — The egg is about * 4 mm. long by about • 22

mm. broad, and is of a very pale greenish-yellow colour (almost

colourless) ; one end seems larger than the other and this larger

end is studded with little prominences, especially noticeable in the

micropylar area.

Oviposition. — On the evening of January 4, 1908, I watched a

female ovipositing on Lantana at Galle. She flew about slowly and

pitched on a terminal shoot enclosing a small green unexpanded

flower bud. This she seemed to examine by bending down her head,

and antennae and then, apparently satisfied, she bent her abdomen

downwards and right forward (until the ovipositor must have

extended at least as far forward as her head) and deposited a single,

small, oval, greenish- white ovum. She then flew to another bud

14

SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

and repeated the operation. The process of selecting the bud and

depositing the egg took perhaps thirty seconds.

Larva. — The larva itself is stout, pale yellow, £tnd naked — at

least, no hairs are visibteto the unaided eye. The larva is usually

found coiled round at the base of the flower- tubes in the interior of

a Lantana flower. (Plate E, figure 5.)

Pupa. — The pale yellow pupa is to be found in a sort of chamber

gnawed into the side of the fruit receptacle, a regular cocoon being

formed of bits of vegetable matter spun together with silk. The

emerged pupae are usually found projecting half way out of the cocoon

amongst the ripening fruit, such bunches of fruit being far less pro¬

ductive than unattacked ones. This little plume, then, must form

a factor of some importance in considering the increase of Lantana

in the Island. (Plate E., figure 6.)

Observation. — I understand that Lantana was originally a South

American plant and was introduced into Ceylon about eighty years

ago, and it appears probable that P. pusillidactyla is also an intro¬

duced species, as its distribution is very wide. Originally described

from the West Indies, it has been recorded from Reunion, India,

and Ceylon, and I possess a specimen taken by myself in Mahe

(Seychelles Islands), and have lately received an example from

Honolulu.

Platyptilia taprobanes, Felder.

Taprobanes. — Felder, Reise “Novara,” t. cxl., f. 54 ; Moore, Lep.

Ceylon, III., 527 ; Meyr., T. E. S'., 1907, 482.

Sythoffi.— Snellen, Tijd. Ent., XLVI., 54, t. v., ff. 15, 1<6.

Tranota. — Meyr., M. S. S. (ined.).

Distribution. — Maskeliya, Pattipola, Nuwara Eliya, Madulsima,

(?) Peradeniya.

Confined to the higher hill districts above 4,000 feet. Mr. Mey-

rick has recorded a specimen from Peradeniya, but this is possibly

an error in labelling on the part of the captor, or more probably an

importation with its food plant into the Botanic Gardens.

P. taprobanes seems to be always a hill species, its distribution

outside Ceylon being South India (Palni Hills), Assam (Khasi Hills),

and West Java (Preanger, 1500-1600 met.).

Early Stages. — The early stages and food plant are quite unknown.

Observation. — Snellen’s figure of sythoffi is very good, and is un¬

mistakably this species. The same cannot be said for Felder’s

figure, which is very poor and doubtful ; in my copy of his Plate 140,

figure 54 appears to be engraved after sythoffi and coloured with a

longitudinal ochreous streak near the apex of the fore wing in a

manner only characteristic of H. argyriodactyla amongst our Sinha¬

lese species. The scale-tufts in the figure might apply to either of

these species. Under these circumstances I have thought it best to

follow Mr. Meyrick’s identification.

PLUME-MOTHS OF CEYLON.

15

Platyptilia citropleura, Meyr.

T. E. S. 1907, 482.

Distribution. — Maskeliya. Also found in Assam (Khasi Hills).

Early Stages. — Early stages and food-plant unknown.

Observation. — Quite distinct from taprobanes , being smaller and

blacker ; moreover, the cleft in the forewing is so shallow that it

does not reach to a position immediately over the outer scale-tuft

on the hinder margin of the wing ; in taprobanes the base of the

cleft is directly over this tuft.

I have examined a specimen, taken at Maskeliya in June, in the

collection of Mr. J. Pole, and two examples (both Maskeliya, Janu¬

ary, 1908) , in that of Mr. G. B. de Mowbray and am further indebted

to Mr. Pole for a specimen taken at Maskeliya in November, 1908,

and which he has kindly added to my collection.

HEPTALOBA, Wlsm.

On its inception this genus was considered by Lord Walsingham as

most nearly allied to Amblyptilia (Platyptilia), but the linear,

similarly-shaped segments of the hind wing seem to me to place it

much nearer to Oxyptilus.

Plate B. , figure B. , shows the neuration of the only known species.

It will be noted that vein 3 of the fore wing has apparently been

rendered obsolete by the development of the cleft between veins 2

and 4; at least, I have been unable to observe its presence after a

careful examination of four specimens specially prepared for the

microscope.

The neuration of the hind wing (not shown in the figure) is as

follows 1 b to apex of third segment ; 2 short, running into hinder

margin of second segment near base ; 3 out of 4 at angle of cell,

long, parallel, running into hinder margin of second segment at J ;

4 to apex of second segment ; 5 and 6 apparently absent ; 7 to apex

of first segment ; 8 parallel to 7, running into costa at half.

Heptaloba argyriodactyla, Wlk.

Wlk. , Cat. XXX., 929 ; Wlsm., E. M. M., 1885, 175 (fig.) ; Moore,

Lep. Ceylon, III., 527, t. 209, f. 13 (unrecognizable).

Distribution. — Kandy. Both species and genus are peculiar to

Ceylon.

Early Stages. — The life-history is quite unknown.

Observation. — Easily distinguished from all other Ceylon plumes

by the fissure of the fore wing into four segments.

It was originally described by Francis Walker from specimens

given to the British Museum by Dr. Templeton, but no exact locality

is stated. I have seen examples from nowhere except Kandy, but

in the immediate vicinity of that town it seems to be fairly common.

16

SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

DEUTEROCOPUS, Zeller.

This interesting little genus, which was founded by Zeller in 1852

(Linn. Ent. VI., 402) for the reception of tengstroemi , may at once

be recognized by the fact that the fore wing is split into three seg¬

ments, the normal second segment being itself subdivided to about

half its length. (See Plate B., figure C.)

Five “species” have been described: tengstrcemi, Z. ; ritsemce,

Wlsm. ; rubrodactylus , Pag. ; planeta, Meyr. ; famulus , Meyr. ; but

as a rule these little moths seem scarce in collections, and the specific

characters have therefore been taken from short series or even from

single specimens. Working in this way, it is easy enough to divide

up the available specimens into species or forms or races, but the

extraordinary amount of individual variation renders this grouping

useless when larger series of examples of this genus are being dealt

with. A few months ago I possessed seven specimens of Deutero-

copus from Ceylon, and these were clearly separable into four

“ species” ; in June, 1908, I caught or bred 19 other examples from

Galle, and I have lately been able to see a specimen in the collection

of Mr. G. B. de Mowbray ; an examination of these 27 specimens

has convinced me that we have only one real “ species ” of this

genus in Ceylon. It is true that this species is divisible into four

forms, each with its distinct facies ; these I have shown in the table

and synopsis, but the differences shown in the table must be taken

as typical of the extremes of the various forms, and must certainly

not be considered as invariable. Indeed, there appear to be no

characters which do not vary from an appearance typical of one

form into that characteristic of any of the others ; perhaps the

colour of the pectus and ventral surface of the abdomen may be

taken as a character as constant as any.

My opinion of these forms is that all the Ceylon specimens belong

to one highly variable species which has already broken up into

several well-marked subspecific forms, still fused by syngamy into

a single species, and that these forms may be regarded as species

in the making, ready to break away from the parent stock by the

development of asyngamy through the effects of isolation or pro¬

nounced preferential mating. Meanwhile, it is convenient to treat

the different forms as distinct for the purpose of identification of

their specimens by local collectors.

Since writing the above I have found D. tengstroemi abundantly

at Hambantota, and an examination of some sixty specimens of

this form shows that it is on the whole more constant within

certain limits of variation than appears to be the case in the other

three. In this case isolation, by the larval habit of feeding on a

plant typical of the very dry districts, seems to have separated off

this form from the other three characteristic of the wetter parts of

the Island, and I am now inclined to consider it a true species

PLUME-MOTHS-OF-CEYLON.

17

although I am unable to perceive any distinguishing characters

between the male genital armatures of tengstroemi and rubrodactylus ,

in both of which forms this latter structure is highly complex and

characteristic. In spite of the similarity in the genitalia, however,

the difference in habitat appears sufficient to secure asyngamy.

Observation. — Zeller named this genus Deuterocopus , giving the

derivation of the name, and this is obviously not a misprint as the

same spelling is seen on pages 319 and 415 of Volume VI. of ‘ ‘ Linnsea

Entomologica.” Some later authors however ( e.g., Hofmann,

Deutsche Ent. Zeit., 1898, p. 329; Pagenstecher, Zoologica,

XXIX., p. 241) have altered Zeller’s name to D enter oscopus. This

latter spelling is quite inadmissible, since a generic name, once

published, is inviolable, except where it is a mere printer’s error,

for which there is evidence.

D

7(6)09

Tabular Comparison of some points in the Ceylon forms of Deuterocopus.

18

SPOLIA ZEYLANICA

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PLUME-MOTHS OF CEYLON.

19

Synopsis of the named Forms of Deuterocopus.

1

2

3

I" Pectus and ventral surface of abdomen

j whitish . . . . . . 2

j Pectus and ventral surface of abdomen

[ yellow . . . . . . 3

r Apical third of fore wing black . . atrapex

l Apical third of fore wing not black . . tengstroemi

Abdomen with a broad transverse pure

white band . . . . ritsemee

Band on abdomen (if present) not pure

white . . . . . . rubrodactylus

Deuterocopus atrapex, forma nova .

Distribution. — Galle, Kandy, Maskeliya.

Size and shape of wings, cilial scale-tufts, antennae, palpi, and

abdomen the same as in the other three forms (tengstroemi , ritsemce ,

and rubrodactylus). Thorax ferruginous, often suffused with

black ; pectus and ventral surface of abdomen whitish. Abdomen :

(see column 3 in Table of Species). Legs ferruginous, often suffused

with black ; large whorls of ferruginous or black scales on posterior

tibiae at origin of spurs and smaller whorls on base of tibiae

and apices of tarsal joints, the last decreasing posteriorly ; spurs

distinctly thickened with scales, sometimes broadly banded with

white in centre and towards apex.

Wings bright ferruginous, sometimes almost wholly suffused

with blackish or dark fuscous, but the exterior third of the fore wing

(from just beyond the base of the first segment and including

the whole of the second and third segments) deep black , with two

inconspicuous preapical costal suffusions of ferruginous scales.

Deuterocopus tengstroemi, Zell.

Zeller, Linn. Entom., VI., 402; Meyr., T. E. S., 1907, 474.

Distribution. — Madulsima, Hambantota.

Originally described from J ava ; this species has also been recorded

from Assam and the Kei Islands.

Early Stages. — The larva feeds on the flowers of the square¬

stemmed jungle vine ( Vitis quadrangular is) so characteristic of the

dry districts, and the pupa is attached to a flower, flower-stalk, or

stem of the food plant, or more rarely to a leaf of the same. A

description of the early stages is reserved to another occasion.

The moth is readily disturbed by day from bushes over which

the vine is climbing, but its flight is then swift, and it is difficult to

secure, as it often retreats within thorny bushes. In the evening

it may be taken plentifully around the flowers of its food plant and

also on those of Capparis , &c.

20

SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

Observation. — Examples from Ceylon seem to agree fairly well

with Zeller’s description of tengstroemi and are, I think, identical.

The fore- tibia is thickened apically with scales, and carries two

small points which seem to be composed of acuminate scale-tufts ;

I should scarcely describe these as “ long whitish spines ”* which,

by Zeller’s description, should project from this scale- thickening.

Deuterocoptjs rubrodactyltjs^ Pag.

Rubrodactylus. — Pag., Zoologica, XXIX., 241 ; Meyr., T. E. S.,

1907, 473.

Tengstroemi. — Meyr. (nec Zell.), B. J., XVII., 134.

Distribution. — Puttalam , Galle.

Recorded also from South Africa, India, New Guinea, and the

Bismarck Archipelago.

Early Stages. — Ovum. — The egg is about * 44 mm. long by about

*20 mm. broad; in shape it is o vo-cylindrical, the ends rounded

and subequal, the micropylar area distinctly depressed ; the surface

is very smooth and shining, of a very pale orange colour, suffused

with red at either pole.

Larva. — A larva found at Galle on June 18, 1908, feeding on the

flowers of Leea sambucina (Sinh. “ Bouroula ”) was described as —

“ Pale green without any markings, except red suffusion at either

extremity. The skin is roughened into minute knobs (like shark

skin) everywhere, but especially on the ventral region. A distinct

subsegment is formed on the posterior ventral region of abdominal

segments. The hairs, except (i.), are very short and inconspicuous ;

(i.) is short, less than breadth of segments. The hairs are trans¬

parent whitish (glassy) and the tubercles very indistinct. The hairs

are longest on thoracic and anal regions. The legs are extremely

short and inconspicuous. There are no secondary hairs, these seem¬

ing to be reduced to skin-points or rather rugosities of the skin.”

(Plate E., figure 7.)

Pupa. — A pupa found on the same occasion was brown with a

broad lighter ochreous-fuscous central band ; very few hairs or

projections. It was suspended anally to a flower stalk within a

slight attempt at a cocoon — a few silken threads spun around it to

form a spacious but flimsy enclosure, in which the pupa was fully

visible. The cast larval skin remained at the anal extremity of

the pupa. Another pupa was green.

Observation. — This seems to be the commonest form in Ceylon,

and gradually runs into the more brightly-coloured ritsemce, Wlsm.

In spite of Pagenstecher's observation, “ Die Art dfirfte .... leicht

zu erkennen sein,” his description is very brief and poor.

* '* . aus dem Knoten ragen die langen, weisslichen, auf einer Seite

echwarzlichen Dornen hervor ” . (Zeller, Linn. Entom., VI., p. 403.)

PLIJME-MOTHS OE CEYLON.

21

Deuterocopus ritsem^e, Wlsm.

Notes Leyden Mus., VI., 243.

Distribution. — Galle , Peradeniya.

Outside of Ceylon, it has hitherto only been recorded from Java.

Early Stages. — Examples were bred from pupae found suspended

anally from the upper surface of leaves of Leea sambucina, which is

evidently the food plant. On the same bush I found a larva feeding

inside an unopened flower bud ; it appeared exactly similar to that

of rubrodactylus , except in wanting the terminal red suffusion ;

unfortunately I failed to rear it.

Observation. — The most brightly coloured Ceylon specimens agree

exactly with Lord Walsingham’s description of D. ritsemce, except

that the bands on the posterior tibiae are pale yellow instead of being

white as there described.

SPHEN ARCHES, Meyr.

Sphen arches Caffer, Zell.

Caffer. — Zeller, Linn. Ent., VI., 348; Zell., Lep. Micropt. Caffr.,

p. 118 ; Wlk., Cat. XXX., 934 ; Wlsm., T. E. S., 1881, 279 ; Meyr.,

T. E. S., 1887, 268 ; Wlsm., Indian Mus. Notes, II., 20 (figures) ;

Cotes, 1. c. 163 ; Wlsm., P. Z. S., 1897, 56 ; Meyr. Fauna Geogr.

Maldives, I., ii. , 125 ; Lefroy, Mem. Agric. India Entom., I., 220.

Anisodactylus. — Wlk., Cat. XXX., 934; Moore, Lep. Ceylon,

III., 528 ; Swinh., Cat. Moths India, p. 668.

Diffusalis. — Wlk. , Cat. XXX., 945.

Walkeri. — Wlsm. , T. E. S., 1881, 279.

Synophrys. — Meyr., T. E. S., 1886, 17.

Distribution. — Colombo, Jaffna, Kegalla, Galle, Weligama,

Hambantota, Trincomalee, Peradeniya, Maskeliya, Diyatalawa,

Madulsima, Alutnuwara.

Widely distributed in the low-country, but only moderately

common as a rule. Mr. W. Vaughan, however, reports it as

extremely abundant at Alutnuwara in January, 1908. In India it

sometimes attains the status of a pest on cultivated Cucurbitacese,

and it has also been recorded as damaging Dolichos lablab.

Its distribution extends from Africa through India to Burma,

Australia, and Japan. It is the only plume moth as yet recorded

from the Maldives.

Early Stages. — A short description of a larva, about half -grown,

reads — “ Head yellow. Other segments pale brownish yellow.

A narrow dorsal, latero-dorsal, and spiracular reddish stripe. Legs

pale yellow, prolegs and claspers dark. Hairs white, except the

short clubbed hairs which are black.”

I have found the larva on Averrhoa bilimbi (“Bilimbi”) at Galle,

and on the flowers of Bio phy turn sensitivum at Majulsima, so that

22

SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

it seems to be decidedly polyphagous. The following description

was made from a full-grown larva found 'at Madulsima on August

24, 1908

“ It is about 7 mm. long, cylindrical, rather stout, the segmental

interstices well marked. Legs and prolegs long and slender ; pale

greenish -yellow. Head unicolorous , very pale , transparent , greenish-

yellow ; mouth parts darker. Other segments pale greenish-yellow ;

a narroAV darker green dorsal line ; each segment with a large

but ill-defined, pinkish-red, latero-dorsal spot, the series of these

spots forming an interrupted longitudinal line. Two conjoined

latero-dorsal tubercles emit a very long white hair directed upwards

and a shorter white palmate hair directed upwards and forwards ;

a supraspiracular tubercle emits a brown palmate hair directed

upwards and forwards; two conjoined subspiracular tubercles emit

a short white hair directed forward and a long white hair directed

downwards ; there are also one or two latero- ventral tubercles

emitting white hairs. The whole surface of the segments is also

closely studded with short white clubbed secondary hairs.” Figure

10 on Plate E was drawn from this living larva under the micros¬

cope, and figure 8 on the same Plate gives a rather more detailed

viewT of one of the peculiar palmate hairs.

The following description was made from the pupa produced by

the larva described above : — “ The pupa is about 7 mm. long and

is attached to the under-surface of the midrib of a leaf of the food

plant. The appendage sheaths and anal portion are of a yellowish-

green colour, the remainder of a very pale pinkish-red. The dorsal

surface bears a system of highly specialized tubercles, the nature of

which will be best understood by a reference to the figure.” (Plate

F., figure 11.)

OXYPTILUS, Zell

Synopsis of the Species.

C Abdomen with a transverse white band . . vaughani

1 Abdomen without a transverse white band 2

[ Scale-tooth or tuft on dorsum of li.w.

j touches apex of third segment . . regulus

Scale-tooth or tuft on dorsum of h.w. does

not touch apex of third segment . . 3

( First segment of f.w. with a distinct anal

| angle . . . . . . causodes

i First segment of f.w. with no anal angle . . 4

( Dorsum of h.w. with a small scale-tooth not

I extending beyond § . . . . epidectes

I Dorsum of h.w. with a large scale-tooth

I beyond § . . . . . . regalis

PLUMB-MOTHS OF CEYLON.

23

OXYPTILUS VAUGHANI, U. S.

Expanse 10*5 mm. Palpi long, slender, curved, sickle-

shaped, smooth; white, irregularly mottled with fuscous ferrugi¬

nous ; terminal joint acute, longer than second. (Antennae want¬

ing. ) Head dark ferruginous fuscous , vertex covered with a loose tuft

of elongated erected scales which do not form a regular cone. Thorax

dark ferruginous fuscous ; pectus pale sulphur-yellow. Abdomen ;

first segment and base of second segment pale sulphur-yellow,

second, third, and fourth segments deep chestnut-bronze-brown,

apical margin of fourth segment edged with a narrow transverse

band of brilliant white scales, fifth segment thickly irrorated with

wdiite scales so as to form a distinct broad transverse bar across the

abdomen, terminal segments deep reddish-purple ; anal tuft long,

apex yellowish- white. Legs dark ferruginous-fuscous, narrowly

banded transversely with white ; spurs long, equal ; posterior

tibiae with small clusters of short dark fuscous spines near base and

on origin of spurs. Fore wing cleft from § ; elongated, narrow at base,

broadly expanded outwardly first segment rather narrow, apex

acute, termen concave, oblique, anal angle distinct ; second segment

posteriorly dilated, apex produced (not extending beyond anal

angle of first segment), termen concave, oblique ; deep chestnut-

brown, thickly irrorated with ferruginous and thinly sprinkled

throughout with minute patches of lilacine- whitish scales ; costal

edge dark fuscous ; a small whitish dot on costa at J, a small whitish

transverse costal spot at J of first segment, and a small white sub-

apical spot ; second segment with a small whitish dot on anterior

margin at § ; cilia ochreous- white, with blackish patches at angles

of both segments suffused with blackish within cleft, with black

bars on dorsum at f and | and a black dorsal scale- tooth at J. Hind

wing cleft firstly from f, secondly from near base, segments very

narrow and linear ; dark ferruginous fuscous, third segment with a

white bar at J and a minute apical dorsal scale- tooth just beyond it ;

cilia ochreous- white, fuscous on first segment and towards apex of

second, those of third segment very long and delicate.

Type s (No. 6,459) in Coll. Bainbrigge Fletcher.

Locality. — Ceylon, Province of Uva, Madulsima, Cocogalla

estate (4,000 feet) ; February, 1907, at light (W. Vaughan).

I have much pleasure in naming this species after Mr. Wm.

Vaughan, to whom l am indebted for this and many other “ plumes.”

Oxyptilus vaughani seems closely related to 0. peltastes, Meyr.

(T. E. S., 1907, 479), but differs in the distinct band on the abdomen

and in the white-banded legs. Both these species seem to approach

very nearly to the members of the lately-described genus Xyroptila ,

Meyr. , and will probably have to be removed from the genus Oxy-

ptilus ; but until the exotic Oxyptilids are better known it seems to

me that no good purpose will be served by separating up the group.

24

SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

Since writing the above I have examined a specimen collected

by Dr. A. Willey at Trincomalee on October 4, 1908, and have also

received an example taken by Mr. W. Ormiston at Haldummulla

in November.

On September 10 Mr. W. Vaughan obtained a second specimen

at Arawa, and a few days later bred a third from a pupa found

suspended from the upper surface of a leaf of Dimorphocalyx glabel¬

lus in the same locality. Furnished with this information, and

thanks to Mr. Vaughan’s kind assistance, I was able to visit Arawa

on several occasions during December and found the moths quite

common. They were at first obtained rather sparingly by beating

D. glabellus, but later on I found them in abundance flying in the

bright morning sunshine (about 10 to 11 a.m.) around the flowers of

Leea sambucina (Sinh. “ Bouroula ”). In several cases I noted

that the moths were actually feeding on the flowers, their tongues

unrolled and thrust violently into the flower in search of food.

In other cases they were settled on the leaves, when they hung

down freely suspended by the first two pairs of legs, the wings folded

and held out at right angles, the tip of the abdomen strongly curved

upwards, and the posterior legs with the tibiae extended at an angle

between the wings and the abdomen, and the tarsi curved inwards

until the distal tarsal joint nearly touched the apex of the abdomen.

An examination of a long series shows that 0. vaughani may

differ from the type, as described above, in the following points : —

(1) The white spots on the first segment of the fore wing are some¬

times developed into distinct, though narrow, transverse bands.

(2) The white bands on the hind legs are sometimes very indistinct.

(3) The fifth abdominal segment is usually less suffused with

white scales. The narrow white bar on the fourth abdominal

segment, however, is always very distinct and characteristic.

The larva will probably be found to feed inside the fruit of

Dimorphocalyx glabellus (Sinh. “ Weliwenna ”), from which I also

beat an example of 0. vaughani at Alutnuwara on December 16,

1908. r

Oxyptilus causodes, Meyr.

(Plate A., figure 4.)

B. J., XVI., 582.

Distribution. — Peradeniya. Not known outside of Ceylon, and

at present only recorded from a single tree of Dillenia retusa in the

Royal Botanic Gardens.

Early Stages. — The egg and young larva are unknown.

Larva. — The larva feeds inside the fleshy fruits of Dillenia retusa

(Sinh. “ Godapara”), emerging from the fallen fruit when full-fed

to suspend itself for pupation on any neighbouring object.

PLUME-MOTHS OF CEYLON.

25

The full-grown larva (suspended for pupation) is about 13 mm.

long by about 1*2 mm. broad, being cylindrical, slender, shining,

and appearing quite smooth and naked. There are two principal

colour varieties : — (i.) Wholly pale green without any noticeable

markings except a narrow darker medio-dorsal stripe, and this is

perhaps due to the vessels beneath showing through the skin rather

than to any dermal pigmented area. Towards the anal extremity

a pinkish suffusion is seen along the segmental interstices, (ii.)

Very pale, semi-transparent, pinkish flesh-colour ; interstices of

segments very pale, semi-transparent green, as are also some

patches along the sub-median area of most of the segments,

but the pale green and pink so merge into one another that no

definite areas can be described. Head very pale green. A pale

red medio-dorsal line. But some larvae have no green markings,

being wholly pink. The prolegs are very small and stumpy ;

hooks dark reddish. The hooks on the fourth pair of prolegs are

attached into the silken pupation-pad. The arrangement of the

tubercles is shown in the figure. (Plate E. , figure 9.)

Pupation. — The larva pupates very rapidly ; twelve hours is

sufficient for it to emerge from the fruit, select a suitable place for

pupation, suspend itself, and complete its metamorphosis.

Pupa. — The newly-formed pupa is of a bright light green colour,

the capital extremity tinged with yellowish-brown about the base

of the antenna-sheath ; but it soon becomes of an almost uniform

reddish gray-brown.

Imago. — The moth, which usually seems to emerge early in the

morning, appears after six days.

Oxyptilus regulus, Meyr.

B. J., XVII., 135.

Distribution. — Maskeliya. Only recorded from Ceylon.

Early Stages. — The life-history is unknown.

Observation. — This is apparently a very rare species. I have seen

no specimens.

Oxyptilus regalis, n. s.

6 Exp. 14-16 mm. Head and thorax fuscous with a few inter¬

mixed whitish scales, vertex with a loose tuft of erected elongate

scales which do not form a regular cone. Palpi whitish, mixed with

blackish, second joint reaching middle of face, terminal joint

slightly shorter than second. Antennae anteriorly whitish striated

with blackish, posteriorly pale fuscous. Abdomen fuscous with a

E 7(6)09

26

SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

dorsal series of light-edged blackish A-shaped markings. Legs very

pale fuscous, longitudinally striated with blackish.

Fore wing cleft from before \y first segment parallel- sided, sub-

falcate, without anal angle, second narrow, posteriorly slightly

dilated, apex abruptly produced ; fuscous, irrorated with dark

fuscous and blackish ; an undefined spot of dark suffusion towards

dorsum at about J, and another at base of cleft, the two sometimes

tending to be connected by a longitudinal area of dark suffusion ;

first segment with a small triangular costal patch of pale suffusion

a little before J, a whitish transverse line at about j and a minute

pale sub-apical patch on costa ; second segment with an inwardly

oblique whitish line opposite that on first segment ; cilia light

fuscous, within cleft ochreous- white mixed with black scales

especially evident posteriorly and near base, on termen with a small

black scale-tuft near apex, on dorsum with a black scale-tuft

opposite base of cleft and three scale tufts beyond this, last at tornal

angle, the third tuft preceded and the fourth followed by a narrow

patch of ochreous- white. Hind wing cleft firstly from J, secondly

from near base, segments linear ; dark fuscous : cilia fuscous ;

third segment on upper margin with a moderate ante-apical patch

of black scales and a few scattered black scales between this and

base, on dorsum with a fairly large triangular black scale-tooth at §

(opposite patch on upper margin but not reaching apex), a small

apical scale- tuft, and a few scattered black scales between scale-tooth

and base.

Five specimens, Colombo (July to September, 1908), collected by

Mr. F. M. Mackwood.

This species seems very close to 0. regulus, Meyr., by the descrip¬

tion of the latter, but the black triangular scale- tooth on dorsum

of hind wing does not reach the apex, nor are the two almost basal

scale-teeth present in 0. regalis.

In certain fights the “black” scale-tooth of the hind wing shows

a most beautiful purplish-red iridescence.

Oxyptilus epideotes, Meyr.

(Plate A., figure 5.)

T. E. S., 1907, 476.

Distribution. — Kandy, Maskeliya, Madulsima.

Probably widely distributed in the Island, but very inconspicuous

and easily overlooked.

Outside of Ceylon it has been recorded from Burma, Coorg,

the Nilgiri Hills, and Mauritius.

Early Stages. — Unknown at present, but I have bred the moths

from Biophytum sensitivumy which is evidently the food plant.

PLUME-MOTHS OP CEYLON.

27

TRICHOPTILUS, Wlsm.

Synopsis of the Species.

Dorsum of third segment of h.w. with a

scale-tooth at about § . . . . 2

Dorsum of third segment of h.w. with no

scale-tooth . . . . 4

Dorsum of third segment of h.w. with an

additional minute subapical scale-tooth pelias

Dorsum of third segment of h.w. without

such . . . . . . 3

3

4/

Ground-colour of f.w. pale ochreous . . congrualis

Ground-colour of f.w. warm ferruginous-

brown . . . . . . wahlbergi

Hinder part of thorax white ; $ with

single anal tuft . . . . xerodes

Hinder part of thorax not white ; 6 with

double anal tuft . . . . paludicola

Trichoptilus pelias* Meyr.

T. E. S., 1907, 472.

Distribution. — Originally described from Coorg and Assam.

Not previously recorded from Ceylon, but my collection contains

four examples which agree with the r diagnosis of the type. They

were taken : —

(а) Nalanda; October 30, 1906. Amongst grass, &c., by the

roadside.

(б) Trincomalee ; November 11, 1906. Oopah estate (E. E.

Green), at light.

(c) Trincomalee ; November 15, 1906. Powder Island.

(d) Colombo ; December 17, 1906. Mutwal.

- It is noteworthy that all the above specimens were taken in the

low-country, whilst Mr. Meyrick’s Indian examples were found at a

considerable elevation.

Early Stages. — Unknown.

Trichoptilus Wahlbergi, Zell.

(Plate A., figure 10.)

Wahlbergi. — Zell., Linn. Ent., VI., 346 ; Z., Mic. Caff., 117 ; Wlsm,,

T. E. S., 1881, 280 ; Meyr., B. J., XVII., 134.

Rutilalis. — Wlk., Cat. XXX., 943.

Rutilans. — Wlk. (sic /).— Wollaston, A. M. N. H. (5), III., 441.

Pyrrhodes.— Meyr., Proc. Linn. Soo., N. S. Wales (2), IV., 1113.

Distribution. — Peradeniya, Kandy, Matale, Maskeliya, Bandara-

wela, Badulla, Madulsima.

28

SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

Common in the hill districts between about 1,000 and 4,000 feet

elevation. At Madulsima I found it common about half an hour

before sunset on a bank covered with rough herbage. This moth

seems especially attached to Ageratum conyzoides (“ White Weed ”)

from which I have often disturbed it, but a search on this plant has

failed to reveal the larva.

Outside of Ceylon, T. wahlbergi has been recorded from South

Africa, St. Helena (? introduced), and Queensland.

Early Stages. — The early stages and food plant are as yet unknown

(unless the larva described under T. xerodes belongs to this species).

Eggs laid by captured moths, however, are of a smooth elongate-

oval shape and of a very pale shining greenish-white colour. In

size they are about • 47 mm. long by about * 32 mm. broad and * 28

mm. high, a transverse section thus being oval. The newly-hatched

larva is whitish, with a black head and long black dorsal hairs.

i - Trichoptilus congrualis, Wlk.

(Plate A., figure 8.)

Gongrualis. — Wlk., Cat. XXX., 943 ; Wlsm., P. Z. S., 1885, 885 ;

Swinhoe, Cat. Moths, India, No. 4,545 ; Meyr., T. E. S., 1907, 473.

Oxydactylus., — Wlk. , Cat. XXX., 944; Wlsm., P. Z. S., 1885, 885;

Swinhoe, Cat. Moths, India, No. 4,549; Moore, Lep. Ceylon, III.,

529, t. 209, f. 16.

Ochrodactylus . — Eish, Canad. Entom., XIII., 142; Fernald,

Pter. North America, 1898, 2nd edit., p. 15.

Centetes.-M.eyv., T. E. S., 1886, 16 ; 1 c., 1887, 266 ; Wlsm., P. Z. S.,

1891, 494; 1 c., 1897, 56.

Compsochares. — Meyr., T. E. S., 1886, 16.

Ralumensis. — Pag., Zoolog., XXIX., 239.

Distribution. — Jaffna, Mankulam, Anuradhapura, Kegalla,

Colombo, Barberyn Island, Ambalangoda, Galle, Hambantota,

Batticaloa, Trincomalee, Habarane, Undugoda, Maskeliya.*

Abundant in all the sandy waste places of the low-country where

the food plant grows.

Outside of Ceylon this species has been recorded from Florida

and the West Indies, from South and East Africa, from India to

New Guinea and N. E. Australia, and from China, and I have found

it abundantly in theChagos Islands, Farquhar Island, the Amirantes,

and Coetivy. It probably occurs in the Maldives also, though not

yet recorded thence.

* A single specimen taken by Mr. J. Pole on December 5, 1908, at Deeside

Trigonometrical Station (4,900 feet) ; doubtleS a straggler or casual immigrant

in the Maskeliya district, as I have never seen its food plant ( Boerhavia repens )

at any height greater than about 1,300 feet, and at this elevation only along

the road between Taldena and Badulla, whither it seemed to have been

carried from the low-country by cart traffic. Mr. Pole, however, has since

informed me that he has met with this plant “ once or twice on the cart road

side near a factory in Maskeliya.”

PLUMB-MOTHS OF CEYLON.

29

Early Stages. — Larva. — The earlier larval stadia are as yet un¬

known, but the older larvae and pupae are to be found commonly on

Boerhavia repens.

The following description was made from a larva found at Galle

on May 10, 1907 : — “ The larva has just cast its skin (which remains

alongside it, uneaten), and is probably just commencing its final

instar. Length 5*5 mm. Breadth in thickest part (about middle)

1*5 mm. Hairs about 1 mm. long. In shape it is cylindrical,

moderately stout, tapering at either extremity. When crawling the

thoracic segments, especially the prothoracic, are greatly extended

and appear very slender and flattened. The head appears to be

uniformly jetty-black, but under a high-power lens the central portion

and jaws are seen to be yellowish with a few short yellowish hairs.

The ground-colour along the side is a pale yellowish shade of dirty

gray with a tinge of red (this last colour is more pronounced in some

specimens). There is a narrow medio-dorsal stripe of a shade

rather darker than the ground-colour and a little redder. On the

metathoracic segment the two warts edging the medio-dorsal line

are faintly marked with dark reddish-fuscous ; the four succeeding

segments have these warts distinctly marked with the same dark

reddish-fuscous, and therefore show up like spots. (In other larvae

all these dorsal warts are more or less marked with dark fuscous,

shading off at either extremity of the larva.) A broad but indistinct

fuscous subspiracular line. A rather broad ventral pale-greenish

stripe. The prolegs are very long and slender and are of a pale

grayish greenish-yellow, the hooks dark ; the legs are similarly

coloured. The long hairs appear dark, but there are numerous

minute white knobbed glandular secondary hairs scattered over the

segments, and these appear to secrete a viscous fluid.”

The following is a description of two full-fed larvae found at

Colombo on October 18, 1907 : — “ Stout, stoutest about fourth

somite, decreasing thence rapidly towards the head, anally gradually.

Colour a pale yellow with a faint tinge of fuscous green. There

is a broad dull reddish longitudinal spiracular stripe, on which the

spiracles stand out as pale longitudinal blotches. The medio-dorsal

stripe has a faint tinge of red in it, making it a little darker than

the ground-colour. On either side of this, bordering the darker

brown later o-dorsal tubercles, is a series of whitish longitudinal

dashes, forming two interrupted dorsal lines — these markings

absent in one larva. Head dark brown. The long hairs are black

and obviously sticky, v

“ A younger larva, about half-grown, is dark brown without any

obvious markings, the hairs very distinctly clubbed at the apex.”

The figure (Plate F, figure 2) will show the disposition of the

setigerous tubercles better than any verbal description.

The larva is generally rather sluggish but can be quite active, e.g.,

if searching for food. If it loses its foothold, it drops by a silken

30

SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

thread. It feeds on the unripe seeds of Boerhavia repens, com¬

mencing by eating the viscid exudation on the outside of the

perianth tube, through which it then gnaws a hole and excavates

the contents. Small insects, especially ants, are often seen to be

caught by this gummy secretion, but the gum does not seem to

incommode the larvae at all ; probably their extremely long prolegs

are specially modified to carry them over it without touching it as

they walk, and the long larval hairs prevent contact of the body

with neighbouring drops of gum.

Pupation. — The larva seems to pupate almost invariably on the

slender stem just below a seed-head, although I have once found an

empty pupa-case attached to the midrib on the under-surface of a

small leaf. The pupa hangs freely suspended, the discarded larval

skin not being shrivelled up but stretched out at full length along

the stem just above it. The rain soon destroys the empty pupa

cases and one finds only the anal portion with the discarded larval

skin. The colour of the pupa is very variable ; sometimes it is a

light apple-green, sometimes a brownish-gray. (Plate F., figure 3.)

Trichoptiltjs xerodes, Meyr.

(Plate A., figure 9.)

Meyr., T. E. S., 1886, 14; 1. c., 1885, 422; 1. c., 1887, 267;'

B. J., XVII., 134.

Distribution. — Colombo, Trincomalee, Peradeniya, Madulsima.

Widely distributed, but by no means a common species in Ceylon.

This species is widely distributed throughout Australia, but does

not seem to have been recorded from elsewhere outside of Ceylon.

Early Stages. — Unknown.*

* A larva (supposed to be that of T. xerodes) was found at Peradeniya on

Gynandropsis sp. (Capparid) on December 26, 1907. A description of this

larva reads as follows : — “ About 12 mm. long, cylindrical, moderately stout.

Head yellowish with an orange tinge. Colour of other segments a uniform

pale yellow. A large brown latero-dorsal wart emits a long white hair and

about five short ones. Below this is a small black supra-spiracular tubercle

emitting a single short white hair and bearing a short secondary hair. Spiracle

small, black. A small black subspiracular tubercle emits (i.) a short white

hair directed forwards and downwards, (ii.) a longer white hair directed

backwards and downwards. Below this and a little behind it is a small

black wart emitting a single hair. Towards the ventral surface are two

(? three) small black-warts emitting white hairs. There are numerous small

knobbed white secondary hairs. All warts are well raised above the surface

of the skin, and the divisions of the segments are well marked.” (Plate F.,

figure 4.)

Although the exact identity of this larva is doubtful, its general appearance

led me to consider it that of a Trichoptilus , and in this connection it is note¬

worthy that the Gynandropsis has well-developed sticky glands, as in the case

of the other known food plants ( Drosera , Boerhavia) of the plumes of this

genus. It is possible that the larva may have been that of T. wahlbergi, or

even that of an Oxyptilus, but an examination of plants of Gynandropsis and

of Cleomo viscosa will probably settle this question.

PLUME-MOTHS OF CEYLON.

31

Trichoptilus paludicola, Fletcher.

(Plate A., figure 7.)

Spol. Zeylan., V., 20 (figs.).

Distribution. — Diyatalawa, Madulsima, Assam.

Since my original description of this species I have found it

commonly in three distinct localities along the Madulsima range of

hills ; larvae, pupae, and imagines being found together during May

and August. It will probably be found to be widely distributed at

an elevation of about 4,000 feet, but is of course confined to damp

places where Drosera grows.

Early Stages. — These are described in the reference quoted.

DIACROTRICHA, Zell.

* (Cosmoclostis , Meyr.)

These little moths seem to approach the Alucitince very closely

in some respects ; the single nervure in third segment of hind wing

and the single spina of the ? frenulum, however, will serve to

show their real affinities with the Platyptilince. It appears to me

doubtful whether D. fasciola is really congeneric with aglaodesma

and its allies (auxileuca, pesseuta, and quadriquadra) , for which

latter group the name Cosmoclostis may be retained, but in consider¬

ing a small local fauna it seems inexpedient to multiply genera more

than absolutely necessary.'

Synopsis of the Species.

Abdomen uniformly coloured; a strong

scale-tooth on dorsal margin of f.w. just

1*| beyond cleft . . . . fasciola

| Abdomen variegated; no scale-teeth on

( margins of f.w. . . . . 2

Expanse 15-18 mm ; f.w. white with

^ ferruginous markings . . . . aglaodesma

Expanse 10-13 mm ; f.w. white with

fuscous markings . . . . pesseuta

Diacrotricha fasciola, Zell,

(Plate A., figure 6.)

Fasciola.— Zeller, Linn. Ent., VI., 399 ; Meyr., T. E. S., 1907, 471 ,

Callimeres. — Meyr., M. S. (ined.).

Distribution. — Galle, Kandy, Badulla, Arawa.

Probably widely distributed in the wetter districts where bilimbi

trees are cultivated.

Outside of Ceylon this species has been recorded from India,

Java, and the Kei Islands.

32

SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

Early Stages. — Larva— The short, stout, uniformly-coloured

larva feeds on the flowers of the “ bilimbi ” tree ( Averrhoa bilimbi).

The larvae vary much in colour, hardly two being alike. Uniform

yellowish-gray, pale yellow, pale greenish-yellow, pale green, pale

pink, and red are all common colours. (Plate F., figures 5 and 6.)

Pupa. — The pupa is a very pretty object, being usually a bright

light green (sometimes with black markings) with numerous fascicu¬

lated tufts of yellow spiny hairs. The sketch (Plate F., figure 8),

for which I am indebted to Mr. E. Ernest Green, gives a good idea

of its general appearance. It is generally attached to a flower-stalk,

but sometimes to a flower-petal or fruit, or more rarely a leaf, of

the food plant. I noticed that those pupae which were formed in my

paper-lined boxes were all of a light-gray colour, sometimes with

indications of rosy-red markings ; it is possible therefore that this

species possesses some degree of colour- adaptability in its pupa.

Imago. — The transformations of this species are unusually rapid,

the larva suspending itself and pupating in a few hours, the imago

emerging after a pupal period of only four or five days.

Habits of Imago. — Contrary to the usual habit of plume moths,

this species appresses itself closely to the surface on which it is

resting ; also it frequently settles on the under surface of leaves. It

may readily be beaten in the day time from bilimbi trees or from

bushes in their vicinity.

Diacrotricha aglaodesma, Meyr.

T. E. S., 1886, 12 ; B. J., XVII., 134.

Distribution. — Puttalam, Anuradhapura, Kurunegala, Kegalla,

Colombo, Trine omalee, Mat ale, Arawa.

Rather scarce ; may be looked for in dry low-country districts.

My specimens were taken at light at Trine omalee in November,

1906, and on June 8, 1907.

Occurs also in Eastern Australia and in some of the South Pacific

and Malayan Islands.

Diacrotricha pesseuta, Meyr.

B. J., XVII., 134.

Distribution. — Puttalam (in February and April — Pole) ; Ham-

bantota (January 12, 1908).

This species has not yet been recorded from any locality outside

of Ceylon and is evidently an inhabitant of the very dry low- country

districts. My single specimen was beaten from a tangled growth

of Euphorbia , Gapparis, and Vitis quadrangular is.

EXELASTIS, Meyr.

This genus has lately been founded (B. J., XVII., 730) to

include atomosa and liophanes. I give a figure of the neuration

(Plate C., figure F), but would call attention to an apparent dis-

PLUME-MOTHS OF CEYLON.

33

crepancy between my figure and Mr. Meyrick’s diagnosis. The

original description reads, “Forewings .... 8 and 10 stalked, 9

absent, 11 from near angle,” but I have considered the formula

better expressed by taking 11 as the missing vein and numbering

the others accordingly. In the hind wings also 5 and 6 are stated

to be absent, but are sometimes faintly traceable.

Synopsis of the Species .

Expanse usually under 13 mm. ; meta¬

thorax usually pale yellow ; colour of f.w.

a reddish-gray, black scales on subapical

portion of dorsum of f.w. form four com¬

pact equidistant groups . . . . liophanes

Expanse usually over 15 mm. ; metathorax

usually grayish ; colour of f.w. pale

yellowish-gray ; black scales on dorsum of

f.w. are often absent and, when present,

are scattered and irregularly grouped . . atomosa

Note. — Both these species seem to be very variable in size,

coloration, and development of the cilial scales.

Exelastis atomosa, Wlsm.

(Plate A., figure 11.)

Atomosa.— Wlsm., P. Z. S., 1885, 885 ; Meyr., B. J., XVII., 730 ;

Lefroy, Mem. Agric. Ind., Ent. I., 219, (figs.).

Parasita. — Meyr.; Lefroy, Ind. Ins. Pests, p. 140 (figs.).

Distribution. — Anuradhapura, Galle, Weligama, Trincomalee,

Undugoda, Madulsima.

The Ceylon form of this moth is smaller and lighter-coloured

than the Indian type, from which it may ultimately prove to be

specifically distinct, and seems to be decidedly scarce and mostly

confined to the low-country. The case is very different, however,

in India, where E. atomosa is generally distributed throughout the

plains and often becomes a serious local pest on crops of Cajanus

indicus and Dolichos lablab.

Early Stages.— The early stages have not yet been found in

Ceylon, but I rather expect that the larva may be found on the

flowers of Anacardium occidentals (kadju-nut).

Exelastis liophanes, Meyr.

(Plate A., figure 12.)

T. E. S„ 1886, 19 ; B. J., XVII, 136.

Distribution. — Jaffna, Mankulam, Anuradhapura, Kurunegala,

Kegalla, Puttalam, Colombo, Labugama, Ambalangoda, Galle,

Weligama, Hambantota, Trincomalee, Matale, Kandy, Peradeniya,

7(6)09

F

34

SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

Maskeliya^ Diyatalawa, Bandarawela, Madulsima, Lunugala,

Badulla, Alutnuwara, Arawa.

Abundant in grassy places throughout the low-country and in

the hills up to an elevation of about 2 ,000 feet , above which height

it becomes decidedly scarce.

E. liophanes was originally described from Reunion, and I

found it abundantly in Mahe (Seychelles). It is probably widely

distributed.

Early Stages. — In spite of the abundance of the imago, I have

never yet been able to find the larva. At Weligama the moths

were very common around plants of Sida humilis , but a search on

these yielded nothing.

It is a curious fact that in the original drawings* by W. de Alvis

for Moore’s “ Lepidoptera of Ceylon,” an unpublished plate ap¬

parently represents this little moth together with its larva and

pupa. They are drawn of the natural size ; the larva is coloured

yellowish-brown, lighter below, with three small black spots on each

segment, and moderately hairy ; the pupa very slender, nearly

black.

The moths are often to be found paired during the forenoon, so

that local entomologists who reside on shore should have little

difficulty in working out the life-history.

Sub -family . — AL U Cl TIN JE.

Pterophorus, Geoff roy.

Synopsis of the Species.

i Ground-colour of f.w. whitish or gray . . lienigianus

jGround-colour of f.w. ochreous-white . . sematias

Pterophorus lienigianus, Zell.

Lienigianus. — Zeller, Linn. Ent., VI., 380 ; South, Entom., XV.,

105, t. 2, f. 3 ; Leech, Brit. Pyral., p. 63., t. 17, f. 10 ; Hofmann,

Deutscher Pteroph., p. 171 ; Meyrst, Handbook, p. 439 ; Meyr., T.

E. S., 1907, 497.

Serindibanus. — Moore, Lep. Ceylon, III., 527, t. 209, f. 14.

Distribution. — Anuradhapura, Galle, Trincomalee, Maskeliya,

Pundalu-oya, Pattipola, Nuwara Eliya, Madulsima.

Widely distributed in the island, but appears to be more common

in the hill districts. Outside Ceylon it is found in Central Europe

and extends to the South of England ; it has also been recorded

from India.

Early Stages.— The early stages have not yet been found in Ceylon.

In Europe the larva feeds on the terminal leaves of Artemisia

* These original drawings are now preserved in the Colombo Museum

Library.

PLUME-MOTHS OF CEYLOtf.

35

vulgaris , and is described as “ pale bluish-green ; dorsal linebroad,

darker ; subdorsal yellow-whitish ; head brown, blackish-marked.”

Observation 1. — There is a great deal of variation in this species : —

(1) In Colour.— A specimen from Galle in my collection is almost

pure white and another from Trincomalee has the ground-colour

almost white ; examples from Madulsima and Maskeliya are

coloured a pale yellowish -gray of a tint identical with that seen in a

specimen from Silesia ; whilst two individuals from Pattipola and

Nuwara Eliya are decidedly a dark gray, the second segment of the

fore wing much suffused with fuscous.

(2) In Size. — Also similar differences exist. The specimens from

Galle and Trincomalee expand only 13 and 15 mm. respectively;

Madulsima examples range from 15 to 17 mm. ; five from Maskeliya

are 16, 17, 17, 18, and 22 mm. ; two from Pattipola are 18 and 21

mm. ; and one from Nuwara Eliya attains 22 mm. : Meyrick and

Zeller give 18-19 mm. as the expanse of European examples, and

my Silesian specimen expands 21 mm.

It will be noted that there is a marked increase in the depth of

colour and in the size of the specimens as their localities vary from

the coast region to the montane district. As regards the latter

point it is paralleled in other species, and I have especially drawn

attention to it in the case of Steganodactyla concursa.

Observation 2. — Some authors have lately identified this species

with Treitschke’s Septodactyla, which name they then give priority ;

but, as this moth has been known all over Europe for the last fifty

years under the name of Lienigianus , I fail to see the utility of

altering Zeller’s name for another, whose accuracyps at least doubtful.

Pterophorus sematias, Meyr.

T. E. S., 1907, 496.

Distribution. — Maskeliya. The unique type-specimen was taken

in October.

Observation. — Except for the ochreous- white ground-colour of the

fore wings, the description of the type of this species seems to apply

exactly to up-country specimens of P. lienigianus, of which I am

inclined to think that sematias will prove to be only a form.

ALUCITA, Linn.

Synopsis of the Species.

[Hind wing with a conspicuous black dot

1-j in centre of second segment

[Hind wing unspotted

^jGround-colour pure white

“^Ground-colour pale yellowish- white . .

melanopoda

2

niveodactyla

candidalis

36

SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

Alucita candid alis, Wlk.

Candidalis. — Wlk., Cat. XXX., 948 ; Meyr., T. E. S., 1907, 490 ;

Wlsm., T. E. S., 1881, 282 ; 1. c., 1897, 36.

Leucadactyla. — Wlk., Cat. XXX., 949; Moore, Lep. Ceylon, III.,

528, t. 209, f. 15.

Distribution. — Kegalla, Labugama, Weligama, Kandy, Mas-

keliya, .Haldummulla, Lunngala.

In Ceylon this is apparently rather a low-country species and

is not common. Outside of Ceylon its distribution extends from

Sierra Leone and South Africa through India to the Philippines, New

Guinea, and Queensland.

The larva is unknown, but may be looked for on some species of

Ipomcea. . _

Altjcita niveodactyla, Pag.

Niveodactyla. — Pag., Zoologica, XXIX. 240; Meyr., T. E. S.,

1907, 490.

Nivea. — Snellen, Tijd. Ent. XLVI., 56, t. 5, f. 17.

Distribution. — Maskeliya (Coll, de Mowbray), Madulsima, Lunu-

gala, Diyatalawa, Haputale.

In Ceylon it is a scarce species, principally confined to the hill

districts of Uva.

Outside of Ceylon it has been recorded from Java, the Philip¬

pines, and the Bismarck Archipelago.

Early Stages — Larva. — The larva feeds on the young leaves of an

Ipomoea, eating the leaves from the outside and not entering within

the unexpanded leaf in the manner of Steganodactyla concursa. In

colour it is of a uniform pale yellowish-green thickly studded with

long fasciculated tufts of whitish hairs, of which those of the dorsal

row are the longest and sometimes tipped with brown. These

hair-tufts are extremely complicated, and their appearance will be

best understood from the rough sketch of a larval segment (Plate F. ,

figure 9) ; under the microscope these tufts of long hairs recall the

armature of spines exhibited by an Echinid , which is very common

on rocks along the coast.

Parasites. — An extremely large proportion of the larvae appears

to be infested by a parasitic ichneumonid fly.

Pupa. — The pupa is green, thickly covered with pale green spinous

hairs and with an interrupted dorsal and sub-dorsal row of black

spots. The moth emerges after about a week.

Alucita melanopoda, Fletcher .

(Plate A., figure 13.)

Entom., 1907, 284.

Distribution . — Kandy, Haragama, Madulsima

Apparently a scarce species in Ceylon ; it has also been found in

Assam.

Early Stages > — Unknown.

PLUME-MOTHS OF CEYLON.

37

Explanation of Plates A, B, 0, E, and F.*

All the figures in plate A have been drawn by Messrs. West, Newman

direct from specimens of the various species (all previously unfigured),

and the artist certainly deserves a word of praise for the manner in

which he has carried out his work. I am indebted to Mr. E. Ernest

Green for the pencil sketch, of which figure 8 in Plate F. is a reproduction.

The remaining figures are from sketches by the author.

It must be borne in mind that all the figures in Plates E and F are

diagrammatic, only being intended to give a general idea of the objects

represented, so that, for example, in the case of larvse, the secondary

hairs have as a rule been omitted.

It is hardly necessary to add that the figures in all the Plates are

considerably magnified ; in the case of Plate A the natural size is shown

by the scale against each principal figure.

Plate A.

(In all cases the figures lettered 1 a, 2a, &c., represent a profile view

of the head of the species figured under the corresponding number.)

Fig. 1. — Platyptilia molopias, Meyr.

Fig. 2. — Platyptilia pusillidactyla, Wlk.

The abdomen usually shows a characteristic broad chocolate-

coloured band a little beyond its middle, not sufficiently

represented in the figure.

Fig. 3. — Platyptilia brachymorpha, Meyr.

Fig. 4. — Oxyptilus cans odes, Meyr.

Fig. 5. — Oxyptilus epidectes , Meyr.

The first segment of the fore wing is represented as much too

blunt at the apex, which really tapers to a fine point as in

figure 6.

Fig. 6. — Diacrotricha fasciola, Z.

This figure is tinted a little too dark.

Fig. 7. — -Trichoptilus paludicola, Fletcher.

This figure scarcely shows the white markings on the fore

wing.

Fig. 8. — Trichoptilus congrualis, Wlk.

Fig. 9. — Trichoptilus xerodes, Meyr.

' Fig. 10. — Trichoptilus wahlbergi, Z.

Fig. 11. — Exelastis atomosa , Wlsm.

Fig. 12. — Exelastis liophanes , Meyr.

Fig. 13. — Alucita melanopoda, Fletcher.

Plate B.

(Neurational Details.)

Fig. A. — Platyptilia pusillidactyla, Wlk.

Fore and hind wing.

Fig. B. — Heptaloba argyriodactyla, Wlk.

Fore wing only ; for neuration of hind wing see text.

* There is no Plate D, the letter D having been passed over by mistake.

SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

qJ 38

Fig. C. — Deuterocopus rubrodactylus, Pag.

Fore and hind wing of ?. It will be noted that the spina

of the frenulum, which is very long and strong, is single,

but is divided by a deep groove running from the base

nearly to the apex so that it is practically composed of two

spinulae soldered together.

Plate C.

(Neurational Details.)

Fig. D. — Trichoptilus congrualis, Wlk.

Fig. E. — Diacrotricha fasciola , Z.

Fig. F. — Exelastis atomosa, Wlsm.

The neuration of E. liophanes, Meyr., is similar.

Plate E.

Fig. 1. — Three segments of larva of Steganodactyla concur sa, Wlsm.,

showing arrangement of tubercles and primary hairs.

Fig. 2. — Outline sketch of pupa of Steganodactyla concursa, Wlsm.

Fig. 3. — Sixth and seventh segments of larva of Stenoptilia zopho-

dactyla, Dup., showing arrangements of tubercles.

Fig. 4. — Sixth and seventh segments of larva of Platyptilia molopias ,

Meyr., showing arrangement of tubercles and primary

hairs.

Fig. 5. — Two segments of larva of Platyptilia pusillidactyla , Wlk.

Fig. 6. — Outline sketch ( later o- ventral aspect) of pupa of Platyptilia

pusillidactyla, Wlk.

Fig. 7. — Three segments of larva of Deuterocopus rubrodactylus , Pag.

Fig. 8. — The two conjoined latero-dorsal tubercles of larva of

Sphenar ches caffer, Z., showing a more detailed view of

the peculiar palmate hairs seen in figure 10.

Fig. 9. — Abdominal segment (rather a latero -ventral view) of larva

of Oxyptilus causodes, Meyr. The crescentic object at

the bottom of the figure represents the proleg with its

semi-circle of darker hooks.

Fig. 10. — Sixth and seventh segments of larva of Sphenar ches caffer, Z.

Plate F.

Fig. 1. — Outline sketch (lateral view) of pupa of Sphenarches caffer, Z.

Fig. 2. — Sixth and seventh segments of larva of Trichoptilus con¬

grualis, Wlk. A few of the club-shaped secondary hairs

are indicated.

Fig. 3. — Terminal portion of pupa of Trichoptilus congrualis, Wlk.,

showing armature of spines and double cremaster.

Fig. 4. — Sixth and seventh segments of larva of Trichoptilus sp.

(? xerodes, Meyr).

Fig. 5. — Sixth and seventh segments of larva of Diacrotricha fasciola,

Z.

Fig. 6. — Profile sketch of a tubercle of lar\? a of Diacrotricha fasciola, Z.

Fig. 8. — Diagrammatic sketch of pupa of Diacrotricha fasciola, Z.

From a pencil drawing kindly made by Mr. E. Ernest

Green ; this drawing does not purport to be accurate as

regards exact details, but gives a capital idea of the' general

appearance of this pupa.

Fig. 9. — Segment of larva of Alucita niveodactyla, Pag.

CU O ° /

SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

XJ

PI. A

West, Newman del. et lith.

PTEROPHOR.IDJE.

SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

PI. B

A. Platyptilia pusillidactyla, Wlk.

B. Heptaloba apgypiodactyla, Wlk.

C. B exit eroc opus rubpodaetylus , Pag.

SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

Pl.C.

D.

4

8

D. Triclioptilus congrualis , Wlk.

E. Diacpotricha fasciola, Zell.

F. Exelastis atomosa, Wlsm.

West, Newman lith.

SPOL I A ZEYLANICA

Pl.E.

T.B.F, del.ad nat.

PLUME MOTHS OF CEYLON.

West, Newman lith.

SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

Pl.E.

T.B.I\ del. ad. n at.

PLUME MOTHS OF CEYLON.

West, Newman lith.

Atfap Socaf/'Y/es sr? wY?/cYr spec/me/7^ of PYeropPor/cYae Pave

beer? co/YecYeeY.

Lrfh., 5.G.O., Jf-t/as.

PLUME-MOTHS OF CEYLON.

39

Speaking very roughly, Nos. 1, 8-12, 33 are dry low-country ; Nos.

2-7, 13-15 are wet low-country ; Nos. 16-18 wet, 29-31 rather dry,

intermediate zone ; Nos. 19-26 are wet hill-country ; Nos. 27, 28, 32

are dry hill-country.

40

SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

ON SOME UNDESCR6BED ICHNEUMON6D/E AND BRACO-

NID/Ej REARED BY MR. T. BASNBRSGGE FLETCHER,

R.N., FROM CEYLONESE LEPiDOPTERA

(PTEROPHORID/E).

By P. Cameron.

T” N this paper I have described one species of Ichneumonidae and

five of Braconidae, reared by Mr. T. Bainbrigge Fletcher

R.N., F.E.S., from the larvae of moths, collected and reared by him

in Ceylon, while stationed on board H. M. S. “ Sealark.” The Bra-

conid genus Apanteles appears to be well represented in Ceylon.

Several species of Microgaster have been described by Walker and

by the Russian Entomologist Motschulsky, none of which I have

been able to identify. Whether the species described by these

authors belong to Microgaster, sensu stricto or, as is most likely, to

Apanteles, is a point which can only be settled by an examination of

the types, if these be still in existence.

At the request of Mr. Fletcher I send the descriptions for publica¬

tion in Spolia Zeylanica.

ICHNETJMONIDiE.

Hymenobosmina trichoptilus , sp. n.

Black, the antennal scape and the legs ful vo-testaceous , the

scape and the four front coxae and trochanters paler , more yellowish

in tint ; the hind coxae, except narrowly at the apex, the apex of the

hind tibiae, and the hinder tarsi black ; the apex of the first abdomi¬

nal segment, the apical third of the second, and the sides of the third

to sixth, testaceous ; the second ventral segment pale yellow, the

others testaceous, more or less infuscated. Wings hyaline ; the

stigma dark fuscous, the costa and nervures blackish. Basal five

or seven joints of flagellum of antennae dark rufo-testaceous. Male.

Length 4 mm.

Galle, Ceylon. Bred from Trichoptilus oxydaclylus. December.

Head with the face, clypeus and cheeks densely covered with

silvery pubescence, as are also the pleurae and, more particularly, the

metapleurae and metanotum. The pile on front and vertex sparse

and short. Mandibles yellow, their teeth blackish ; the palpi of a

paler yellow. Base of metanotum with two areas, widened distinctly

on the outer side ; their keels unite at the base, forming almost an

area, widened towards the base ; there is a distinct areola, longer

UNDESCRIBED ICHNEUMONIDiE.

41

than wide, narrowed to a sharp point at the base, the apex transverse ;

there are three areae on the apical slope, the outer becoming wider

towards the apex, the central strongly closely transversely striated ;

there is a keel, outside the spiracles and a less distinct, curved

one over and between the two hinder coxae. Pleurae finely, closely

punctured ; the depression on the propleurae with some stout

striae ; the mesopleurae above finely, closely longitudinally striated,

the lower half of the apex with a few short striae. Metapleurae

more strongly punctured than the rest.

Head, mesonotum, and scutellum finely, closely punctured ;

the metanotum has the punctures more distinctly separated.

Abdominal petiole smooth and shining, the post-petiole dilated.

The. recurrent nervure is received almost the length of the

transverse cubital nervure beyond it ; the transverse median

nervure is interstitial ; the recurrent nervure is largely bullated, as

is also (but more narrowly) the disco-cubital nervure ; the apical

nervures in the hind wings are obsolete. Antennae 27-jomted,

almost as long as the body, the flagellum densely covered with short ,

stiff pubescence.

Braconidje.

Apanteles paludicolce, sp. n.

Black, the apical two-thirds of the fore femora, the apical third

of the middle and all the tibiae and tarsi, rufo-testaceous, the vent¬

ral surface of the abdomen at the base more or less rufous, the sides

of the first abdominal segment narrowly dark rufous ; wings clear

hyaline, the stigma and costa pale fuscous. Palpi testaceous.

Metanotum finely, closely rugose, furrowed down the middle ; the

base and apex with a transverse furrow. First abdominal segment

almost square ; the basal two-thirds raised, the apex of the raised

part bordered by a wide deep, curved furrow, the sides bordered by

a distinct furrow ; it and the second segment are closely rugosely

punctured ; at the apex of the second is a distinct transverse furrow ;

the third and following segments are smooth, shining, and covered

with a microscopic down. Hypopygium large, wide, projecting,

cultriform. Female.

Length 2 mm. Diyatalawa, 4,000 feet. August and September.

Bred from Trichoptilus paludicola, Fletcher.

The amount of black on the legs varies ; in the male the femora

may be testaceous below, and the apex of the hind tibiae and the*

hind tarsi may be black. Probably a common species.

Apanteles platyptilioe , sp. n.

Black, the legs red, the base of the coxae black, the apex of the

hind tibiae and the hind tarsi slightly infuscated ; wings hyaline,

the costa and stigma fuscous ; centre of metanotum keeled, the keel

running at the apex into a smooth round fovea ; the apex on either

7(6)09

a

42

SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

side of this and the sides keeled. First abdominal segment longer

than wide, strongly aciculated ; second with a smooth raised line

in the centre, the sides with a narrow oblique furrow ; the segment

is as strongly aciculated as the first and appears to be also finely

striated ; the base of the third is more finely, less strongly aciculated.

Basal half of the ventral surface rufous. Hypopygium cultriform,

the ovipositor only very slightly projecting. Female.

Length 2 mm.

The keels on the metanotum may be somewhat indistinct. Pubes¬

cence sparse in parts, short and white. The amount of rufous colour

on the base of the ventral surface of the abdomen seems to vary ;

and the basal segment above may be narrowly lined with rufous.

Metanotum aciculated finely, shining.

Madulsima, Ceylon ; ex-larva of Platyptilia molopias ; May ; nine

examples. Allied to A. taprobanoe , Cam.

Apanteles stegenodactyloe , sp. n.

Black, densely covered with a white microscopic pile, the apex of

the fore femora broadly, the base of the four hinder tibiae and of

the tarsal joints narrowly, pale yellow ; wings clear hyaline, the

nervures almost white ; first abdominal segment wider than long,

the centre raised, wider than long, the sides bordered by two keels,

strongly aciculated, the sides at the apex with a smooth triangular

space. Palpi testaceous. Male.

Length 2 mm.

Galle, Ceylon. Bred from Stegenodactyla concursa.

The abdomen becomes gradually obliquely narrowed from the

base of the second abdominal segment, the second segment minutely

aciculated, raised slightly in the centre, the others smooth and

shining, their apices fringed with white pubescence. Head and

thorax alutaceous, the scutellum smooth, shining, its sides below

bordered by a furrow. Post-scutellum depressed, the edges bordered

by a broad keel , the apex rounded. Apical part of the radius straight ,

the posterior sloped towards the base of the wing, forming an acute

angle with the apex of cubitus, which is thinner and shorter than it.

Apanteles bisulcata, sp. n.

Black, the apical half of the two front femora, the apex of the

middle below, the fore tibiae entirely, the greater part of the basal

two -thirds of the middle, slightly more than the basal half of the

posterior, the four anterior tarsi, except narrowly at the extreme

apex, and the base of the four basal joints of the hinder (the basal

more broadly than the others) pale yellow, the tarsi paler than the

tibiae or femora ; wings clear hyaline, the nervures pallid testaceous.

Female. Length 1 * 5 mm. Terebra fully half the length of the

abdomen.

UNDESCRIBED ICHNEUMONIDiE.

43

Ceylon, S. P., Wellgama. Bred from Stcgmodactyla concur sa,

Wlsm.

Head and thorax opaque, shagreened, covered with a micro¬

scopic white pile ; the scutellum smooth and shining, the sides

bordered below the top by a distinct furrow. Metanotum with a

gradually rounded slope, a distinct, clearly defined furrow down

its centre. First abdominal segment almost square, aciculated,

furrowed down the middle ; it is raised and clearly separated from

the second segment. Sheath of ovipositor more fuscous than black,

narrowed at the base. Apical abscissa of radius straight in front,

the posterior (and smaller) obliquely bent tdwards the base of the

wing.

Cocoon snow white, longish oval, spun solitarily on the leaf of

food plant.

Apanteles leptoura, sp. n.

Black, the anterior femora, tibiae and tarsi, the apex of the four

hinder femora, the middle tibiae and tarsi, the hinder, except the

apex of the tibiae, the apical half of the hinder metatarsus and

the apex of the last joint, which are black, rufo-testaceous ; wings

very clear hyaline, the stigma and nervures very pale testaceous.

Sheath of ovipositor broad, narrowed at the base ; it is as long as the

abdomen. Female.

Length 3 mm.

Madulsima , June 3.

Antennae as long as the body, covered with a white pile, the head

and thorax finely, closely, distinctly punctured, the metanotum

closely, transversely striated ; in its centre is an area, wide at the

base, longer than wide, roundly narrowed towards the apex, the

keels rounding it weaker towards the base ; the area, except at the

base, is more strongly transversely, and widely striated than the

rest ; the outer edge of the metanotum is margined by a keel. First

abdominal segment wider than long, closely rugosely punctured,

the sides margined by a curved keel ; its apex is margined by a

smooth curved narrow furrow ; it is clearly separated. The other

segments smooth, shining. Bred from Tortrix larva burying in

stems of “ dadap.”

44

SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

TWO FRAGMENTS.

By James Parsons, B.Sc., F.G.S.

With an Introductory Note.

[Nearly twenty yea*rs ago it was my fortune to spend some months

in the little fishing village of Peloro Faro near Messina, studying the

development of an archaic type of fish of very small size, called the

lancelet. On December 28 last this place, sol am told, shared the

ruin wrought by the Messina earthquake. On the following day,

December 29, my friend Mr. J. Parsons went out for a short walk

in the open country at Nuwara Eliya, in order to examine an

exposure of country rock on a tea estate. Such exposures can, as a

rule, only be observed satisfactorily in the open ; and the jungle which

surrounds a clearing has little or no attraction for a geologist. From

my personal acquaintance with him, extending over five years, I can

well believe that he was cool, methodical, and cautious.

He left his hotel at 10 o’clock in the morning intending to return

for luncheon. On such a trifling excursion he did not require an

attendant. About noon he was seen walking through the tea on the

Oliphant estate, and the spot is pointed out wht 5 he was last seen,

“ durai kanda veddam.” From that hour and place every trace

vanishes, and no effort of the imagination can pierc the darkness

which swallowed him up. It is even impossible to make reasonable

suggestions. Almost any suggestion which can be made has to

be rejected. But there is one sinister circumstance attending the

disappearance. Night and day following the rain fell incessantly,

five inches on the first day, four inches on the second. During this

distressing time all the available forces of the countryside, headed

by Brigadier-General B. C. B. Lawrence, scoured the hills, ravines,

forests, and streams of the neighbourhood in vain.

The search was continued for weeks subsequently ; experienced

trackers were employed and rewards offered, but so far not a shred

of evidence has been obtained. There are formidable stretches of

jungle between the Great Western mountain and Pidurutalagala

affording plenty of opportunity for getting lost ; but this was not his

destination.

I have elsewhere compared the jungle with the desert and the

high sea, and it is on an occasion such as this that the aptness

of the comparison becomes apparent. In the jungle beyond Oli¬

phant. there is a habitable cave with traces of comparatively recent

occupation. Round about it the trees are draped with luxuriant

festoons of mosses and scattered orchids, the kind of wild place

which an orchid collector might visit with prospects of success. So

hidden is this cave in the heart of the jungle that, although it is not

far from the tea, it was unknown to the Superintendent of the

adjoining estare.

Parsons came out to Ceylon in 1902 as Assistant to his college

friend Dr. A. K. Coomaraswamy to undertake a Mineralogical

BLOCK OF FLUORSPAR (DARK) INTER GROWN WITH QUARTZ (PALE), FROM MATALE [PARSONS].

Slightly less than one -half natural size.

TWO FRAGMENTS.

45

Survey of Ceylon. When Dr. Coomaraswamy’s engagement came

to an end in 1906, the work was continued by Mr. Parsons, who

became Principal Mineral Surveyor.

During the Vedda expedition at the beginning of 1908 Mr. and

Mrs. Parsons rendered essential service to Dr. C. G. Seligmann and

Mrs. Seligmann.

His work in the field kept him during most of the year away from

the towns, so that he was a stranger to those places where men most

do congregate. But to his colleagues and friends the news of his

disappearance spelt consternation, and it remains to this day

unaccountable and still incredible.

The short papers presented below were intended by Mr. Parsons

for publication in this Journal, and were found without any difficulty

arranged in due order amongst his papers. He has done excellent

work in the Mineral Gallery at the Colombo Museum.

Colombo, March 2, 1909.

A. WILLEY.

B. — Fluor-spar in OeyBon.

A FINE specimen of fluorite (fluor-spar) was found at Crystal

Hill estate near Matale, the same locality as that mentioned

in the paper on “ The Modes of Occurrence of Quartz in Ceylon ” in

the last issue of Spolia Zeylanica. The fluorite is inter grown with

transparent quartz, and the two minerals must have crystallized

simultaneously, though the quartz shows crystal outlines, while the

fluorite does not s’ 5w its characteristic cubic form. An inclusion

of fluorite in the quartz will be noticed in the illustration. The

octahedral cleavage is, however, well developed, and -renders the

specimen very frangible.

Fluorite is found of many colours, that of the blue or violet “ Blue

John ” in Derbyshire being best known. The Matale fluorite is

colourless, though on account of iron-staining along the cleavage

cracks the general appearance of the mineral is reddish.

The block* was not found actually in situ , and the mode of origin

is not known. It is, as a rule, a vein mineral.

Traces of a blue mineral, which was probably fluorite, were found

in 1903 in charnockite near the Officers’ Bathing Place, Colombo,

and Dr. Gygax in 1847 recorded it from “ Galle Back.”

The specimen here described and figured is the first example of

any size that has been noted in Ceylon.

II.— Votive Offerings of Weapons.*

Offerings ex voto are commonly made at Buddhist shrines in

Ceylon and at the dewales or temples devoted to Sinhalese natural¬

ized Hindu worship, as well, probably, as to that of more primitive

indigenous cults. Indeed, at dewales such offerings form an integral

portion of the ceremonies so far as the public participates in them.

* This paper was left in a somewhat unfinished state, and has had to be

pieced together from notes.— Ed.

46

SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

In viharas these offerings for the most part take the form of flags,

often with a human head and an inscription with symbolical device

roughly embroidered on the calico. Other gifts of jewels, images,

clothes, &c., do not, as a rule, appear to be votive. The ceremonial

act of carrying fire on the head for lighting purposes is, at least

sometimes, votive in character. I have seen it performed at Wesak

in the compound of a vihara in the Morawak korale.

While in viharas only the images or rupas of the Buddha and

Buddhist saints are seen with wall paintings or plaster reliefs of

Vishnu and the more prominent gods, in the dewales the actual

god or gods to whom the temple is dedicated are believed to be

present at all events at certain times ; consequently, great sanctity

attaches to the shrine, to which Europeans especially are seldom

admitted.

Such sanctity even may extend to the surroundings of the temple,

as in the case of a small dewale on the seacoast north of Ambalan-

goda, where I was requested not to rest on a rock adjacent to the

building for fear of desecrating it. It is , however , known that votive

offerings of articles of value are made in the larger dewalas, e.q.,

those of Alutnuwara and Kataragam. At the latter place, it is stated

that silver models of limbs are offered ep voto by individuals who

have been cured of maladies in the parts represented.

The restrictions with which the larger dewalas are guarded are,

either from indifference or security from intrusion in remote dis¬

tricts, relaxed in the case of the small village shrines or hovilas , and

admission to them can be occasionally obtained with little difficulty.

A small dewale, which I once visited in the Wanni, had not even a

door.

These buildings are, as a rule, of the rudest character, with mud

walls and a small outer court or verandah. Following the Buddhist

tradition arising from the early use of caves as temples, they are

often built against or under overhanging rocks.

The worship in these village shrines is, however, of peculiar interest,

not only on account of their being devoted to the cult of minor

deities, local in character and probably pre- Buddhistic in origin,

but because the worship consists very largely in votive offerings of

ceremonial forms of weapons, tools, and elephant and cattle goads.

With reference to the temples of Ceylon, Knox (Historical Relation

of the Island Ceylon, 1681, p. 73) writes : “ In them are idols and

images most monstrous to behold, some of silver, some of brass and

other metals ; and also painted sticks and targets, and most strange

kind of arms, as bills, arrows, spears, and swords. But these arms

are not in the Bouddou’s temples, he being for peace ; ” and, again,

with special reference to the small dewales : “ The temples called

hovels are inferior to the other temples, and have no revenues belong¬

ing to them. A man piously disposed builds a small house at his

own charge, which is the temple, and himself becomes priest thereof.

TWO FRAGMENTS.

47

Therein are bills and swords and arrows and shields and images

painted upon the walls like fierce men.” Knox goes on to state that

when they are sick they dedicate a red cock to the devils. This is

held with an arrow by the priest, who thus dedicates it to the god,

and on the recovery of the sick man the cock is sacrificed.

The priest is able to become possessed by the god or devil and

make oracular statements by holding the weapons on his shoulders.

According to this account, the weapons do not however, appear to

be votive offerings.

Last September I climbed up the hill scarps above Padiyapelella

to a small dewale built under a rock high on the hillside. There are

two dewalas, an upper and a lower, in the village of Idampitiya near

Maturata, Central Province. These dewalas are on the north side

of the valley of the Belihul-oya, one near the cart road, and the

other more difficult of access some 500 feet higher. The upper one

was the first visited. It is called the Galapita kovila alias Okanda-

gala dewale. It was built of mud on a small rock platform under a

partially excavated rock, a fallen block from the cliff scarp above.

The entrance was by a small double door of Kandyan type, only

fastened by a stick thrust through the handle. The lintel of the

door was roughly carved with simple lotus and diaper pattern.

On entering, the side of the small room opposite the door and the

greater part of the two adjacent walls were seen to be crowded with

weapons and various implements in extraordinary variety. These

were standing in small compartments or bins raised about four feet

from the ground, built of masonry. There were seventeen of these

bins, the centre one of which, beneath the image of the god rudely

painted on a wood panel covered with folding doors, was about twice

the size of the others. It contained upwards of 150 of the weapons.

There were arrows of various shapes, many like the broad ceremonial

arrow of the Veddas ; some of bo-leaf shape, among which many had

dangling bo-leaves attached. There were also some “ katties,” a

small new brass one, with bo-leaf dangling from point, also tiny

elephant goads. They were set upright in their shafts. Some of

the latter were lacquered, but most of them were plain. Many of the

objects were only toy things, and all, I think, had been made specially

for the purpose. A round wooden shield was over the door ; and in

one of the other bins there was a small bronze shield.

The lower dewale was situated down the hill above the vihara, and

was similarly built. It contained a similar assortment of votive

weapons, about 200 in number, arranged in seventeen divisions on

high stools called “ putuwa,” with roughly carved scrolls on the

sides. The centre one under the main god (roughly painted on an

oval fan-shaped piece of wood), had comparatively few weapons, but

large and fine, including an arrow with a piece of money tied to it.

The other sixteen chairs were for the attendant deities, and contained

the greater number of the offerings. Among these there was a fine

48

SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

bronze shield with a device upon it, also an old painted cloth with

bo-leaf corners. The centre chair was reserved for human diseases,

the two to the extreme right for cattle.

I took out three typical weapons to the outer court and photo¬

graphed them. The men said they would not touch them, but I

could if I wished, nevertheless they were nervous. I presented

twenty-five cents to the main “ chair ” and ten cents to each of the

others where I had moved a weapon, which seemed to be right and

received grunts of approbation. They showed great anxiety that

I should put the weapons back in the correct chair. The lower

dewale is the Nikahetiya dewale.

Following is a list of the seventeen putuwas or seats of the gods ,

together with the purposes for which they are severally invoked : — -

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

(5)

(6)

(9)

Kintibandara-deyiya. For cattle.

Abimana-deyiya. For infants.

Kadora-deyiya. Diseases of women.

Kalubandara-deyiya. For everyone.

Irugalbandara-deyiya. For everyone.

Pitiya-deyiya. For cattle.

(7) Pallebadda-deyiya. For cattle.

(8) Hantane-deyiya. Not ascertained

Kalukumara-deyiya. Smallpox.

and

De wat abandara-deyiy a . Chickenpo x .

(10) Kiyulagedera-alut-deyiya. Cattle.

(11) Wannibandara-deyiya. Cattle.

(12) Kumara-deyiya. Cattle.

(13) Hadunkumara-deyiya. Crying of infants not taking milk.

(14) Diwa-deyiya. Crying of children not taking milk.

(15) Monerawela-deyiya. Cattle.

(16) Kohomba-deyiya. Barrenness in women.

(17) Kalude wat a-deyiy a . Everyone.

[Here ends the manuscript on the votive offerings in the cave-

dewales of Ceylon.]

NOTES.

49

NOTES.

1. Ambalantota to Hanibegamnwa. — Some incidents which befel

in the course of a museum collecting trip to Hambegamuwa in the

south-west corner of Uva last November may be put down in narra¬

tive form. I may remark that the observations cannot be correctly

described as casual, since' it was one of the objects of the journey to

collect them. The bulk of the material collected is not referred to

in this account.

By previous arrangement our party was met at the Ambalantota

resthouse on November 19, 1908, by three Hambantota carts, which

are specially constructed for travelling along minor roads. Two of

them were drawn by four bulls apiece, the third by a pair of bulls,

and, in addition, there was a spare bull. The bulls wore wooden

bells, the constant liquid-sounding clangour of which proclaimed

their whereabouts, for it is not the custom to carry fodder in this

part of the country, but to turn the bulls loose to graze at every

halting place, a proceeding sometimes entailing vexatious delay

which cannot be helped.

Leaving Ambalantota in the early morning the first few miles of

road skirt the eastern bank of the Walawe-ganga. Shortly before

reaching Koggala (7 miles) we passed the spoor of a leopard which

had evidently just crossed that way. As usual , the dung was matted

together with monkey hair. In Ceylon the occurrence of monkeys

in abundance implies the presence of leopards in the neighbourhood,

and the latter are then only a source of danger to the simian commu¬

nity, not to the human family.

The schoolmaster of Koggala gave us some information about the

route to be followed. There was a scarcity of water, the village

tank being dry, and we engaged a man to guide us to a rock-pool,

where I decided to camp for the night. This was at a spot named

Kandantibu-gala, about 3J miles from Koggala. Incidentally, I

inspected the principal sights of the countryside, namely, the

Karambe-gala (commanding a view of Kataragam), and the hot

springs. On the rock were large rock-pools containing frog-larvse,

and adhering by one side to the rock with the lower side bathed in

the water was a spherical foamy spawn-mass of Rhacophorus, look¬

ing like a snowball. The exposed portion of the ball was slightly

hardened as a delicate membrane. There are also extensive rock-

shelters, or gal-geval sometimes doubtless occupied by bears. In the

vertical face of a great escarpment are some curious holes or pockets

like pot-holes, but passing inward at right angles to the surface.

H 7(6)09

50

SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

On the way to the hot springs we passed the fresh footprint of an

elephant and the dung of a crocodile in the jungle far from water.

We also flushed a large talagoya ( Varanus bengalensis) , about 2\ feet

long, which forthwith scampered up the trunk of a tree, finally stop¬

ping on the lower side of a slightly overhanging main branch some 25

feet from the ground. I watched it in this unusual position for a

minute , or so , when it suddenly made a flying leap to the ground with

limbs outspread, breaking its fall somewhat by a bush below, and

then ran off rapidly. It is rather remarkable to see one of these

unwieldy fat reptiles running up a tree after the manner of a tree-

lizard. In this instance it was obviously a flight manoeuvre,

not a regular mode of progression. The talagoya, or edible

monitor, is essentially a ground-dwelling lizard, and I have often seen

the young, when alarmed, take refuge in termite nests. In the

North-Central Province I have seen termite nests which had been

dug open by men for the alleged purpose of taking talagoya eggs.

In some places, but not in all, not, for instance , in the Hambegamuwa

division, the large lizards are much sought after on account of their

edible and strengthening properties, and in fact talagoya curry is a

native delicacy. The stomach of a specimen, which I dissected at

Horana some years ago, contained 12 entire cockroaches, a fact in

harmony with their terrestrial habits. Last June I saw one which

had been shot high up on a tree on the Dambulla-Trincomalee road

and had not fallen down. It seems justifiable to conclude that the

young individuals take to holes and that older ones frequently ascend

trees, as a flight manoeuvre.

It is appropriate to add here a few remarks upon the water moni¬

tor or kabaragoya (Varanus salvator ), the flesh and fat of which are

reputed to be poisonous. Large specimens are sluggish creatures

on land, but active enough in water, and I have no record of their

ascending trees when full-grown or half -grown, but once beside a

tank in the Vanni country (at Erupotana) I saw a little bevy of young

kabaragoyas peeping out of a hole in the high branch of a tree.

They had probably climbed up for safety, rather than for food, so

that, so far as the observations go, they seem to point to the conclu¬

sion that old talagoyas and young kabaragoyas ascend trees only

under exceptional circumstances. The stomach of a kabaragoya

was found to contain the skeleton of a large frog, a slug, and insect

remains.

The hot springs of Mahapelessa bubble up wdth slight rhythmic

convulsions like a miniature geyser ; the water is not too hot for

the hand to be immersed. A fuller account of the hot springs

of Ceylon, their temperature, periodicity, and distribution, is to

be found in the Administration Report (Mineral Survey, 1907)

by Mr. James Parsons, who told me that the springs at Maha¬

pelessa will be described in detail in the forthcoming report for

1908.

NOTES.

51

On the way back to our camp, beside the roadside rock-pool, I

turned aside to examine one of those “ gal-geval ” with drip-ledges

which are so characteristic of old Ceylon. The roof was nearly

covered with mason-wasps’ nests.

Early the next day (21st) we started for Suriyawewa, distant two

“ gaw,” i.e. , eight miles. Along this part of the road the leading cart

was twice upset, the track usually becoming very difficult at the

approach to a village. At Beddewewa I was told that the villagers

had no water, and were compelled to travel 1 J mile to Suriyawewa,

where I saw them straining the muddy remnant of the nearly

exhausted tank-water through cloths into their chatties to keep out

the larger foreign particles and also the water leeches which abound

here. We were conducted to a dry spot under a “ palu ” tree in the

bed of the tank, where we outspannedin fine weather. Whilst stand¬

ing under the tree a red-headed, black and white streaked hairy

caterpillar fell upon the back of my neck, producing a disagreeable

numbing effect, rather like a stiff neck. At a subsequent stage of the

journey I came upon what looked, in profile, exactly like a patch of

fur upon a dead tree trunk. Closer inspection revealed an assembly

of gregarious hairy caterpillars packed together in a single layer,

touching each other at all points like the pieces of a mosaic. The

size of the patch would be about 15 inches long and 9 inches wide

(estimated). Near the same place I came upon an analogous assem¬

blage of immature dark gray tree -bugs. This diurnal assembling of

immature forms protected by their nauseous properties is evidently

a biological fact of some significance.

Alas , for our camp in the bed of the tank under the palu tree ! In

the afternoon clouds gathered and a downpour of rain commenced,

which continued far into the night, converting the thirsty tank into

a well-filled reservoir, the water rising to the axle-trees of the carts,

out of which one stepped in the morning into an unsought leech-

ridden bath knee-deep. If a bare foot were placed upon the grass

at the edge, it was instantly and severely stung by black ants. It

seems that this was the first great shower of the season , and we found

afterwards that it was quite local. As soon as the bulls could be

found next day we left for Weliwewa (3 miles), the track being partly

under water, and after making inquiries at the school-house there,

went on two miles to Mihigahajandura, where we were accommo¬

dated for the night at a disused dispensary.

At Kumbukwewa, a mile further on, the tank contained the usual

muddy residue thickened by a green scum and undrinkable. The

drinking water was obtained from a hole in the centre. This drought

at the end of November is unusual ; by this time the village tanks

should be full of water. The next village, three miles on, is called

Auriyapelessa, with (at this time) a nearly dry tank and a noble

gal-kanda towering at one end of it. Another half mile brought us

to the Kudawewa junction, where the road branches off to the right

52

SPOLIA ZEYLAtfICA.

V

to Nika we wa and Tanamalwila, to the left to Hambegamuwa. Half

a mile beyond the junction is the village of Suriya-ar, where we

stopped for breakfast and were fortunate in securing a fine example

of the remarkable locust Teratodes monticollis (see this Journal, vol.

II., p. 200) ; its prevailing colour was grass green, with a yellow

border along the dorsal crest.

Near Suriya-ar I encountered a small gecko* resting in the usual

attitude, head downwards on the trunk of a tree. Even at some

little distance I noticed that it presented two pairs of delicate

piominences in the middle of the back, about half an inch apart.

These proved to be the upstanding wings of two small yellow-bodied

flies, and I believe this is the first time that flies have actually been

seen upon these geckos , a fact of some interest in connection with

the transmission of their blood-parasites. I secured the gecko,

but missed the flies ; later on I saw two more of the geckos in a like

position, but without flies.

That night we camped in a pretty dingle, where the country

rock flanks the road about a quarter of a mile beyond the village of

Kalawelgala. Here were several rock-pools, one of which yielded

drinking water, another contained tadpoles and Ephemerid larvae.

The next day found us at our destination, where we took up our

quarters under the galvanized iron roof of a new irrigation bungalow.

From here the road continues as a bridle track or footpath, 24 miles

northwards to Haldummulla. The Hambegamuwa people, in their

simple piety , wend their way along a leafy lane , at the end of which

there is a modest shrine with steps leading up to it and backed by a

green tumulus, the crumbling remains of an ancient dagoba. In its

perfect seclusion and old-world rusticity I have seen nothing to

equal it in Ceylon.

Among the more interesting species of birds obtained here were

the Indian cuckoo, Sonnerat’s cuckoo, green-billed malkoha, the

black and white fan-tailed flycatcher, several warblers, and a kestrel.

The Ceylonese hornbill was very abundant ; a large stork-billed

kingfisher was collected ; among the tank birds, the taxidermist

reported that he had seen only one shell ibis. The illustration shows

the superficial resemblance, in general physiognomy and colour-

markings, of the Indian cuckoo to the smaller birds of prey.

Sonnerat’s cuckoo ( Penthoceryx sonnerati, see Blanford, Fauna Brit.

Ind., III., p. 219) is now more appropriately referred to as the

banded bay cuckoo in allusion to its rich bay or chestnut -coloured

plumage with dark cross-bands ; the colour appears sombre in jungle

light, into which the specimen obtained flew about an hour before sun¬

down, alighting noiselessly upon a low branch.

At this time the water in the great tank at Hambegamuwa was

Very low, a large part of the bed being dry. The fallen logs, which

Hemidactylus frenatus.

*

PLUMAGE RESEMBLANCES:

Crested Goshawk ; Indian Cuckoo ; Kestrel.

H, F . Fernando, Taxidermist.

NOTES.

53

were scattered about the bed, covered a varied cryptozoic fauna,

including, besides millipedes, insects, and numerous very young

tank shells (Ampullaridce) , a great many frogs (Rana limnocharis )

and some Indian field mice (Mus buduga). The mice were nesting

in shallow burrows, into which the females brought grass to form a

couch for the young. Mice and frogs were associated together

under the same logs. The former made no attempt to escape from

the vicinity of their burrows when exposed to the light, but simply

hid their heads ; it was their breeding season. There were also some

skinks, including the red- tailed lizard ( Lygosoma punctatum) and

the black- tailed lizard, the oviparous keel-back skink, Mabuia

carinata, with its eggs.

It was interesting to see an earwig tending a clutch of small round

eggs which she had laid in a little saucer-shaped depression under a

log. The flash of daylight alarmed it, and it commenced sweeping

round the surface of the eggs with a lateral flexure of the abdomen ,

and actually caught a small intruding ant between its forceps.

Then unwillingly she began to pick up the eggs one by one with her

jaws, after the manner of ants, and removed them to a safer place.

February 8, 1909. A. WILLEY.

2. Random Notes. — On December 26 last, near the Vessa-

giri caves at Anuradhapura, I saw about thirty kites, eight crows,

four blue rollers, and a number of swallows all mixed up together

and engaged in hawking white ants, while the perfect insects were on

flight. The kites used their talons for the capture, and the other

birds their bills.

While I observed the crowd of birds hawking the termites, the

light was good (8 a.m.), and, although I sat close by for perhaps half

an hour, the birds paid me little or no attention. The swallows

swooped in and out among the trees ; and, so far as they go, my

assumption that they caught the insects is based only on deduction.

The crows and rollers caught the insects in their bills, and not only

could the snapping be distinctly heard, but the falling wings of the

captured termites were each time apparent as they fluttered down.

The kites used their talons ; after each swoop they put down their

beaks and took the insect from the grip of their feet, at the same

time dropping the discarded wings.

At the drinking pokuna in Anuradhapura I recently saw a red

paradise flycatcher plunge from its station on a tree and capture

something in the water. The bird went almost straight down and

in with a splash, just like a kingfisher.

In the crevices of the stones which line the channel just below the

Tissawewa sluice at Anuradhapura snakes are very often to be seen.

The othet day I saw one (about 4 feet long) which had, head foremost

54

SPOLIA ZEYLANICA. '

in its jaws, a fish some three or four ounces in -weight, and perhaps

six inches long. I watched the snake for about two minutes while

it swallowed the fish on or very near the surface of the water. He

then tried to pass between the stones into a hole in the bank ; but

the bulge of the fish blocked the way. After several attempts he

succeeded.

In the North-Western Province, near Ganewatta Station, I

noticed in a paddy field a most ingenious method of capturing

flying foxes. Great strings of cane are hung across the narrow fields,

and from them depend at intervals of 3 or 4 feet long streamers

made by tying together several of the whip-like thorny shoots of the

common jungle cane. These whips are so thin as to be almost

invisible in the dusk, and their thorns are sufficiently tenacious to

hold captive any unfortunate flying fox who gets into their grip.

November 29, 1908. JOHN STILL.

3. Some rare Aculeate Hymenoptera in Ceylon. — Whilst looking

over some recent captures in the Colombo Museum, I was interested

to find a fine specimen of Montezumia indica (Sauss.). This is a

species belonging to the same family, Eumenidse, as our common

“ mason- wasp.” The specimen in question is new to Ceylon, and

evidently a rare species, being previously recorded from Java and

rare fromSikhim (Fauna, Brit. Ind., Hymenoptera, vol. I., p. 350,

pi. II., fig. 10). Thus it is widely distributed ; and it. seems

strange that, although it is a large and conspicuous insect, it has not,

so far as I can ascertain , been recorded from any of the intermediate

countries. This specimen was caught at Niroddumunai, Eastern

Province, in September, 1908.

The other species of the same genus recorded from Ceylon and

represented by specimens in the Colombo Museum are M . impavida

(Bing.) and M. rufipetiolata (Wick.). The former was taken at

Nedunkeni, Northern Province, in April 1904, and is also recorded

from the Pegu Hills and Tenasserim (Fauna, Brit. Ind. , p. 351). The

latter was described and figured by me as a new species in Spolia

Zeylanica , vol. V., 1908, p. 120, figs. 14 and 15 ; taken at Mamadu,

Northern Province, April, 1904.

Colombo, February 5, 1909. O. S. WICKWAR.

4. Snakes of Badulla. — As requested I now send you a list of the

snakes which I have either caught or had sent me from round about

here during the last year. The elevation of Badulla is 2,222 feet ;

and this bungalow about 2,500 feet, four miles out of Badulla. The

NOTES.

55

numbers after the names show the totals received. Probably, I

could have got a good many more rat-snakes (Zamenis mucosus),

green whip-snakes ( Dryophis mycterizans), and brown pit- vipers

(Ancistrodon hypnale) had I wanted them. One specimen of the

green polonga (Lachesis trigonocephalus) measured rather over 32

inches as he lay after having been killed by a cooly pruning tea. In

Haly’s report on the collections of Reptilia and Batrachia in the

Colombo Museum, 1891, only one specimen of Ablabes calamaria ,

without statement of locality, is recorded as having been presented

by Mr, W. Ferguson.

1. Python molurus (1). Strayed from low-country probably.

2. Aspidura brachyorrhos (2).

3. Lycodon aulicus (2).

4. Ablabes calamaria (1).

5. Oligodon sublineatus (2). Common on the patanas.

6. Oligodon subgriseus (2). Common on the patanas.

7. Zamenis mucosus (12). Very common.

8. Coluber helena (2).

9. Tropidonotus stolatus (4). Very common.

10. Tropidonotus asperrimus (2).

11. Tropidonotus plumbicolor (6).

12. Dipsadomorphus ceylonensis (2).

13. Dipsadomorphus Forstenii (5). The Sinhalese call this the

“ roof snake ” in the vernacular.

14. Dryophis mycterizans (9). Common.

15. Bungarus ceylonicus (2).

16. Naia tripudians (8).

17. Vipera Russellii (2).

18. Ancistrodon hypnale (9). Common.

19. Lachesis trigonocephalus (2).

I have known of two cases of bites from No. 18 and one from

No. 19 during the last year, but in all cases the patients recovered in

about three days. There was a lot of swelling and pain locally. In

other cases it has been impossible to identify the snake. Since

making the list as above, I have received a specimen of Dendrela-

phis tristis*

Moragalla, Badulla, S. H. PEARLESS.

August 27, 1908.

* This is the tree-snake commonly known in Ceylon under the name

Dendrophispictus , another species which had been confused with it. — Ed.

SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

ISSUED BY

THE COLOMBO MUSEUM,

CEYLON.

Vol. VI. — Part XXII. September, 1909.

CONTENTS.

Ancient Bronzes in the Colombo Museum ; with Descriptions of

some Polonnaruwa Bronzes by the Hon. Mr. P. Arunachalam,

Registrar-General; and Remarks on Inscriptions

by D. M. de Z. Wickremasinghe,

Government Epigraphist.

Notes.— -J. B. Andrews, A. K. Coomaraswamy.

With Fourteen Flutes, and Figures in the Text.

[For Rate of Subscription and other Information see back of Cover.]

COLOMBO :

H. M. RICHARDS, ACTING GOVERNMENT PRINTER, CEYLON.

1909.

_ _ [

\ 4s-

Royal 8vo. 680 pages. 100 illustrations. Bound in cloth gilt,

price 25s. nett.

ANCIENT CEYLON:

An Account of the Aborigines and of Part of the Early Civilization .

BY

H. PARKER,

Late of the Irrigation Department , Ceylon .

WITH ILLUSTRATIONS BY THE AUTHOR.

LONDON:

Ltjzac & Co., Publishers to the India Office,

46, Great Russell Street, W.C.

1909.

CONTENTS.

Part I. — The Aborigines.

Part II. — Structural Works.

Part IV. — Arts, Implements, and Games.

The Origin and Signification of the Cross and

Swastika.

Appendix. — Table of Measured Bricks.

With 21 full-page illustrations and 80 in the text

comprising more than 300 figures.

ANCIENT BRONZES.

57

ANCIENT BRONZES IN THE COLOMBO MUSEUM

Introduction.

N the edition of the “ Guide to the Collections in the Colombo

J- Museum,” which was issued in 1905, and also published in

Vol. III. of this magazine, the bronzes were referred to in a short

paragraph on page 22. Since that time considerable accessions have

been received at intervals from the Archaeological Commissioner,

Mr. H. C. P. Bell, C.C.S., culminating in great discoveries of bronzes

in the Siva Devale and adjoining sites at Polonnaruwa in 1907 and

1908. A provisional list of the 1907 series of Polonnaruwa bronzes

was published in the Administration Report of the Colombo Museum

for 1908. The principal objects in this series were photographed at

the Museum by a local amateur, Dr. Andreas Nell, and from his

photographs the copper blocks illustrating this part have been

prepared by Messrs. Bemrose, Ltd., of Derby, England. Brief

explanatory descriptions of these illustrations have been kindly

furnished to the Museum by the Hon. Mr. P. Arunachalam, M.A.,

C.C.S., M.L.C., and will be found below. Mr. Arunachalam intends

to publish a fuller account of the Polonnaruwa (1907) bronzes in

the Journal of the Ceylon Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society.

A. WILLEY,

Director, Colombo Museum.

Age and Classification of the Bronzes.

Oriental scholars will have their own ideas concerning the age

and classification of our bronzes, but as they are not in a hurry to

impart them, it is necessary to look about for a working basis of

classification for local and immediate service. The readiest method

seems to be afforded by the localities of the treasure trove, and will

be adopted here.

A catalogue of the ‘ ‘ finds ” made from time to time over a period of

about sixteen years up to the year 1906 by the Archaeological Survey

Department, and deposited at the end of 1906 and beginning of

1907 in the Colombo Museum, was prepared by Mr. John Still,

formerly Assistant to the Archaeological Commissioner, and was

printed for private circulation only. This catalogue includes a

number of notable bronzes . Unfortunately it was not found possible

to classify the objects in chronological order, and there is no direct

indication whether those from Anuradhapura belong to the first or

second periods of its prosperity.

I

7(11)09

58

SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

The king called Sigiri Kasyapa rendered a lasting service to the

chronological history of Ceylon by murdering his father in the fifth

century a.d. ; but for this signal act of parricide Ceylon dates

would be in a greater state of confusion than they are. This central

fact in the history of Ceylon broadly marks an epoch separating

the Mahawansa Period from the so-called Suluwansa Period, which

terminated in the year 1815 a.d.

It would appear that the antiquity of the bronzes is not very

great, and that we have no examples belonging to the Mahawansa

Period. Consequently it may be assumed that all the ancient

bronzes of Ceylon belong to the period known in Europe as the

Middle Ages. In his “ Report on Archaeological Discoveries at

Tissamaharama ” in the Journal of the Ceylon Branch of the Royal

Asiatic Society, Vol. VIII., 1883-1884, Mr. Henry Parker, who

estimated the date of the remains at about 100 b.c., noted that

“ working in copper had arrived at considerable perfection,” but he

discovered no bronzes.

Professor Albert Griinwedel (“ Buddhist Art in India,” translated

by A. C. Gibson, revised and enlarged by James Burgess, C.I.E.,

London, Quaritch, 1901), states that “ Indian Art is the most modern

of all Oriental artistic efforts. No important monument goes

further back than the third century b.c.”* Until the Middle Ages

“ the sculptures are executed in stone, and frequently on a large

scale, but gradually the Buddhist sculpture becomes a miniature

manufacture in different materials — wood and clay in place of stone,

and later, in metal casts — carried on as a trade.”

Sigiriya Bronzes.

The Sigiriya bronzes appear to be the earliest that have been

discovered in Ceylon, and they are few in number and of miniature

proportions. The following contains the descriptions of those sent

to the Museum in 1906, the numbers prefixed to the names of the

objects being those which have been painted upon them. When

we consider the magnitude of the stone work at Sigiriya, and

remember also the celebrated Sigiriya frescoes or rock-paintings,

the insignificance of the bronzes is particularly noticeable.

The occupation of Sigiriya by King Kasyapa happened during

the years 479-497 a.d. References to literature dealing with this

romantic history are given in Mr. H. C. P. Bell’s Annual Report for

* Marco Polo, the Venetian, who touched at Ceylon near the end of the

thirteenth century, refers to the Saracen belief that Adam’s Peak is “ the

sepulchre of Adam, our first parent ; but the idolaters say that it is the

sepulchre of [Gautama Buddha], before whose time there were no idols. They

hold him to have been the best of men, a great saint in fact, according to their

fashion, and the first in whose name idols were made.” (The Book of Ser

Marco Polo, the Venetian, translated and edited by Col. Henry Yule, 1871.)

ANCIENT BRONZES.

59

1895 (Sessional Paper XL. , 1904, page 10) . In his Annual Report for

1896 (Sessional Paper XLI., 1904) Mr. Bell notes that among the

“ finds ” made during the season’s excavations pottery predomi¬

nated : “ half a dozen flowerpots, lamps, fragments innumerable of

chatties, dishes, &c., with iron and copper nails, bolts, &c., ad

libitum .” In the Annual Report for 1897 (Sessional Paper XLII.,

1904) Mr. Bell records the digging up of a few more “ finds ” of

special interest : “ A handsome Greek-pattern vase or cruse, blue

enamelled, w^as the chief.* A quantity of heavy iron nails, bolts,

clamps, &c., proves that the woodwork was massy and strongly

bound.” There is still no mention of bronzes, for the apparent

reason that there was none sufficiently striking to be deemed worthy

of special notice.

That the age of the bronzes does not necessarily coincide with the

historical dates is shown by the fact that from the maluwa, or terrace,

upon which the colossal brick-built lion of Sigiriya was discovered,

a copper massa of Queen Lilavati was dug out of the debris, and this ,

Mr. Bell says, “ may prove that the maluwa was occupied as late

as the thirteenth century ” (Annual Report, Archaeological Survey,

1898, Sessional Paper XLIII., 1904).

1. Miniature bronze horn, seven-sided, shaped like a cornucopia,

open at both ends, 2f in. long.

2. Bronze cylinder with funnel-shaped ends, resembling a double

lotus-calyx, showing traces of gilding, 2J in. long.

3. Bronze bell, 2 in. high. The clapper was not attached to

the crown of the bell, but seems to have hung in two holes pierced

near the rim ” (Still).

5. Miniature bronze Bodhi-tree, 5 in. long, broken in two.

6. Toes of left human foot, If in. long, If in. wide across the

toes. This is not a fragment, but an object complete in itself, the

edge being rounded behind.

7. Miniature bronze makara head.

8. Heavy bronze ring, 2 in. in diameter.

12. Two pieces of thin bronze, engraved and inlaid with copper

and silver. “ The larger piece (3 in. long by nearly 1 in. wide)

shows men on horseback. The men are dressed in trousers, and have

long sashes on ; their headdress seems to be a turban ; one seems

to be armed with a quoit ; they ride on saddles. The horses are

hog-maned ” (Still).

13. Oval bronze plate, nearly 4| in. long, inlaid with silver ;

“ probably a door-plate ” (Still).

14. Bronze instrument shaped like an ingot, 3J in. long ;

“ apparently a two-headed chisel.”

* Now in the Museum.

60

SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

17. Small bronze bell. This is a gejja, or tinkling bell, worn by

bulls and dancers.

23. Broken instrument of bronze.

39. Nameless fragments.

Anuradhapura Bronzes,

The tenth century a.d. may be accepted as a crucial date for the

bronzes which have been unearthed at Anuradhapura. Some of

them attain to a high degree of artistic excellence, others to an

equally high degree of technical finish.

Nos. 57 to 63 are from Pankuliya : —

57. Bronze basin, 11 in. across, 3J in. deep.

58. Bronze basin, 9J by 3J in.

59. Octagonal bronze dish, about 4J by 1 J in.

60. Bronze ring, 3J in. diameter.

61. Bronze tripod, 2\ in. high, 2| in. across, one leg broken off .

62 and 63. Pair of bronze feet, 3 in. long, broken off at the

ankle, where an iron core shows ; excellently modelled.*

Nos. 69 to 76 are from Vijayarama : — “ Below the floor of each

of the four porches [of the Vijayarama Monastery] was found a

brick-built cella , a cube 1 ft. 6 in., containing a bronze figure of a

double-faced god, an animal, and three small clay saucer lamps.

The east porch held an elephant, the south a horse, the north a lion,

the west a bull. The figures probably represent the Satara varan -

deviyo, or Four Guardian Gods ” (H. C. P. Bell, Annual Report,

1891, Sessional Paper XXXVI., 1904, page 4). These remarkable

bronzes are illustrated on Plates XXII to XXVI of Mr. Bell’s

Sixth Progress Report (Sessional Paper XII. , 1896) , where the names

of the respective demi-gods are given in the above order as Dhri-

tarashtra, Virudha, Vaisrawana, and Virupaksha, who, according

to Buddhist legend, were appointed by Indra to watch, on the

Yugandhra rocks, the four quarters of Maha Meru, against the

Asuras. The attendant animals are from 3 to 3J in. high, the

gods about 6| in.

Nos. 77 to 80 are from the summit of Mirisvetiya Dagoba. They

represent guardian demi-gods, about 3 in. high, all broken ; one of

them, with head missing, carries a fish, another has the hands

clasped to the breast.

* These well-formed bronze feet from Pankuliya Vihare were found in 1891,

and figured on Plate XVII. of Mr. Bell’s Seventh Progress Report, Sessional

Paper XIII., 1896. “ In each the great toe is turned upward, and the- others

bent down a little. The feet are broken off at the ankle, on which are shown

anklets of tinkling bells.” (Bell, loc. c it., p. 7.)

ANCIENT BRONZES.

61

Nos. 81 to 84 are four-armed guardian demi-gods, 10 J in. high,

from Puliyankulam. Beneath the four cardinal portico entrances

or doratu at this monastery cellas like those at Vijayarama were

opened. Each contained a bronze figure of its proper guardian

god, but not double -bodied, and unaccompanied by the animals.

(Bell, Annual Report, 1896, Sessional Paper XLI., 1904, page 3.)

Nos. 85, a wheel-shaped object, the Dharmachakra, mounted on a

stand, 8 in. high, with a thin plate of silver on each side ; 86,

an object shaped like a parasol, 6^ in. high ; 88, a small bronze

label with Sinhalese inscription, were also found at Puliyan¬

kulam.*

92. Miniature Sri Patula,f sacred footprints in relief, like a seal,

1| in. long, from the “ Tamil ruins walawa ” ; this is quite unique,

and offers a capital example of the rendering in miniature of a sacred

symbol, which was usually executed in stone on a large scale. The

Museum possesses a number of such stones, formerly used as

offering slabs.

93. Bronze bell, 6J in. high, found below Basawakkulam

bund, south of the cross road.

95. Sedent bronze image, over 3 in. high, from the alms-hall

near the former resthouse.

96. Large bronze panel, thick and heavy, 20 in. by 7 in.,

beautifully embossed, with traces of gilding. This is one of the gems

of the collection, and will probably be illustrated in a forthcoming

work on Indian Art to be written for the Clarendon Press by Mr.

Vincent A. Smith.

97. Bronze statuette of a demi-god or king, 20J in. high.

This was dug up in 1898 to the south of Thuparama Dagoba, near

Basawakkulam. Before the discovery of the 1907 Polonnaruwa

bronzes, this statuette was considered to be the highest artistic

achievement in bronze in Ceylon. There is the usual wealth of

parure without the usual stiffness ; on the contrary, the pose is elegant

and the proportions just. It is probable that it will afford another

illustration for the work to which allusion has been made.

98. Thirty-nine flat sheets of bronze (only one of which is

exhibited), each 5 in. square, with a round hole in the centre,

found south of the south pavilion near Basawakkulam.

99-101. Two sedent images of Buddha and the shaft of a parasol

fitting into the back of one of them. The smaller image is 3J in.

* The Dharmachakra (No. 85) was found in 1896 in a brick-built cella under

the pavement in Vihare No. 2 of the Puliyankulam monastery.

A similar cella in the middle of Vihare No. 3, belonging to the same monas¬

tery, contained a metal patra , or begging-bowl. This is probably the bowl

numbered 173 below on page 71 (Arch geological Survey, Annual Report for

1896, Sessional Paper XLI., 1904).

j Called also Sri Pada. Adam’s Peak is the Sri Pada kanda

62

SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

high, the larger. seated on a lotus is 9 in. high and a work of great

distinction. They were found in the Toluvila pilima-ge, or image-

house.

107. This is a small broken bronze plate from the south-east

corner of Pirivena near Thuparama.

110. Flower-shaped bronze gejja, or tinkling bell, from the

Thuparama area.

126. Bronze bell upwards of 1J in. high, from the site of the

Buddhist railing at Abhayagiriya.

130-132. Bronze bowls, 4f-5 in. in diameter, from the kovil

west of the Y road.

133. Four-armed bronze image, 3| in. high, from the Sangili

Kanadara tank.

134-135. Portions of large bronze lamp stands, with iron core,

from Etakada, Kadawat korale. One of the pieces is about 2J ft.

in length.

138. Colossal bronze cauldron, diameter 3 ft. 7 in., depth

8 J in. It was used for one of those purposes for which cauldrons

generally are employed, but nobody knows whether it was for

dyeing priests’ robes or for cooking their food. It was found when

digging the foundations of the resthouse. Two handle -rings ,

7 in. across, are linked at the sides. It is exceedingly heavy,

three-quarters to 1 in. thick bronze.

140. Reliquary over 2 in., shaped like a dagoba, from inside the

Aralagam Vila Dagoba.

For many years the Museum has possessed a number of miniature

bronzes from Anuradhapura, which have been labelled “ Hindu

Emblems.” These include four small engraved rectangular plaques

from Ruwanweli Dagoba, a cobra, trisul, vajra, sceptre, fishes, crabs,

tortoises, a shell, a perforated ring, and above all a swastika. The

sign of the swastika is not common in Ceylon, though it does occur

incised upon stone and pottery. It is a symbol of pre-Buddhist

origin and worldwide distribution, but it must be very rare as a

separate portable charm. In this condition it appears to represent

the limitless immensity of space reduced to the dimensions of a

pocket amulet. Its typical shape is that of a Greek cross with

the ends of the beams bent at a right angle in one direction either

to right or to left. In the preface to the second reprint of the

“ Report on the Old Records of the India Office ” (London, 1891),

Sir George Birdwood gives an explanation of the ritualistic

significance of the swastika in Hindu symbolism. He says that

the “ right hand swastika is, among modern Hindus, a symbol of

Ganeesa, and is commonly placed by them, instead of the image

of Ganeesa at the head of invoices and other papers. It is also the

symbol of the sun in his diurnal course ” from East to West, and it

ANCIENT BRONZES.

63

is coloured red, the proper colour of the East. The left hand

swastika is the symbol of Kali, the mother of Ganeesa, and of the

sun in his nocturnal course from West to East, and is coloured blue.

The right and left hand forms are spoken of as “ reversely revolving

swastikas,5' and, indeed, the idea of rotation seems to be clearly

indicated, and may very likely be the most fundamental attribute

of the symbol. (Text Figs 1-5).

Text- figures 1-5. “ Hindu Emblems.”

1 , Swastika ; 2, Goad or Sceptre ; 3, A double trisul (the middle figure) ;

4, Vajra or thunderbolt; 5, Twinned fishes.

The deities who preside over the four quarters of the universe,

according to Oriental cosmogony, are called in the vernacular

the “Hataravaran-deviyo.”* In a spirited wood-carving they are

represented in a realistic manner, revolving round the sun in the

direction of the hands of a watch. The right hand of each figure

is raised over the head to grasp the extended right foot of the

succeeding one. Each right forearm is bent approximately at a

right angle upon the upper arm, and the whole device suggests the

idea of the swastika. The wood-carving (08, 79-231) is about

18 in. in diameter ; the bronze swastika about 2J in.

* Or Sataravaran-deviyo.

64

SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

The Chaturmaharajika-chakra (symbol of the four gods) also

appears as a decorative design upon Sinhalese tobacco or betel brass

boxes. An example of this is figured on page 91 in Dr. A. K.

Coomaraswamy’s recent monograph on Mediseval Sinhalese Art ;

and in the description of the figure the name of the swastika appears

with a mark of interrogation.*

The word Swastika is an anglicized form of svastika which is

derived from the Sanskrit su, well, asti , it is, (Latin est) and ka,

an attributive suffix.

Potonnaruwa Bronzes (First Series).

The general date assigned to the Polonnaruwa bronzes as a whole is

the 12th-13th century a.d. The first series comprises those which

were brought to the Museum at the end of 1906.

40. Finial from the top of Wata-da-ge Dagoba, nearly 4 ft. high,

entire, on broad circular base.

41. Temple bell, llj in. high, with the figure of a bull in

relief on one side. This and the following are from the Siva Devale,

unless otherwise stated. (See Text- fig. 6 on next page).

42. Double-ended spoon, 13J in. long.

43. Pair of bronze cymbals, 5j in. in diameter.

44-45. Bowls, 5-6 in. in diameter, much broken.

46. Six small fragments of sheet bronze.

50. Four fragments of bronze dishes, one of which is gold plated.

51. Two small lumps of bronze.

52. Four scraps of a bronze finger ring. All these (Nos. 50-52)

are from Vishnu Dewale.

* The example referred to is not quite analogous, inasmuch as the revolving

figures represent females, and on page 106 of Dr. Coomaraswamy’s work the

decorative design is described as “ four women arranged swastika -wise.”

ANCIENT BRONZES,

65

Text-figure 6, Temple bell with trisul ornament above and figures

on the barrel (No. 41, Polonnaruwa),

K

7(11)09

SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

m

Polosinaruwa Bronses (Second Series).

Description of the Bronzes found in the Siva Dewale at

POLONNARUWA BY THE ArCHJEOLoGICAL COMMISSIONER

IN 1907.

By the Hon. Mr. P. Artjnachalam, M.A., Registrar-General.

Plates I. and II. — Siva as Nata-raja, or Lord of Dancers. The

dance represents the operations of the universe carried on by forces

of which Siva is the director or ruler, hence he is called Nata-raja,

or Lord of Dancers.

The hair of the head is braided, forming a crown at the top and,

at the back (Plate II.), a circular knot, the lower braids whirling

in the dance. On these, on the right is a mermaid or Matsyanari

representing the river Ganges ; on the left a crescent moon and a

serpent. At the base of the crown is a skull, symbol of destruction.

He wears a necklace of skulls of Brahmas, Vishnus, and Rudras,

symbolizing the successive evolution and involution of the universe

through the aeons. He has three eyes (one on the forehead),

representing the sun, moon, and fire ; and wears on the right ear

a round earring such as is worn by women, and on the left a man’s

earring, for Siva is both male and female.

He is represented with four arms : —

(a) The hand of the right upper arm holds a small drum shaped

like an hour-glass and symbolizing vibration, the first

stage in evolution.

(b) The left upper hand holds fire, symbol of destruction or

involution, and of Siva’s purifying grace.

(c) The right lower hand is raised in token of dispelling fear

and assurance of protection.

(d) The left lower hand points to his raised foot, the refuge of

the soul. The other foot rests upon a prone Asura or

Titan holding a snake, symbolizing the cosmic illusion

which is trampled under foot and crushed by Siva for

the emancipation of the soul.

The figure stands in a halo or circle of flame, and the whole rests

on a lotus, the lotus-throne, or jpadmasana. The serpents coiled

in various parts of the body may be relics of the old serpent- worship,

and are deemed symbols of Siva’s destructive energy and of his

obscuring energy (the cosmic illusion).

ANCIENT BRONZES.

67

The total height of this fine image is 3 ft. A fuller account is

reserved for the Journal of the Ceylon Branch of the Royal Asiatic

Society.*

Plate III. — Two figures of Siva as Nata-raja (Nos. 15 and 24f) ;

one is 2 ft. high, the other hah an inch lower. Both bronzes are

incomplete, without the halo, and one of them without the whirling

braids ; the' missing parts no doubt broken off, or perhaps never

added, as there is no sign of fracture. The figure on the right side

of the plate is the best finished of all the bronzes.

Plates IV. and V. — Front and back views. Siva seated at ease

(sulchasana) with his consort Parvati or Siva-Kami, his cosmic

energy, “ Mother of millions of world- clusters , yet Virgin by the

Vedas called.” On Siva’s crown are the sun, moon, and the

Ganges. In one of his hands he holds a deer, in another a battle-

axe ; in other respects the ornaments are mostly as in I. and II.

Parvati holds a lotus bud in hand.

The two heights of the figures from the base of the pediment are

2 ft. and 1 ft. 8 in. Both figures are seated upon the lotus throne,

or padmasana. This bronze is No. 2 in the original list.

Plate VI. — Siva standing with his consort Parvati and embracing

her (alinga), surrounded by a halo. The halo (No. 22), height 1 ft.

3J in., breadth 1 ft. 1 in., was found separately, but fitted upon

the supports on the main bronze (No. 5), the heights of which are

1 ft. 3 in. and 1 ft. 1 in. respectively.

Plates VII. and VIII. — These contain representations of three

bronzes in different views. The middle figure (No. 12, height 1 ft.

Id i in.) is Siva in one of his dances called Sandyanirtta wfith his

consort Parvati (the shortest figure, No. 23, J height 1 ft. 4J in.)

looking on. The bull in Plate XIV. would naturally form part of

* [Perhaps it may be thought that the admirable reproductions accompany¬

ing this description render unnecessary any further appreciation here of this

bronze, the first of its class to be recorded from Ceylon. It is desirable,

however, to be clear upon one point. There are some experts who will declare

that these bronzes are not so good as South Indian bronzes. Such a statement

rests upon the conscious or more likely unconscious assumption that Ceylon

is a paradise of mediocrities, and that whilst it produces many good things,

it never has produced one really excellent thing. The assumption may be

correct, but it should be stated explicitly if it is so.

Other experts will beg the question in an equally grotesque manner by

claiming that these are in fact South Indian bronzes. Let it be asserted

once for all that they are Polonnaruwa bronzes for better or for worse. — Ed.']

f Colombo Museum Administration Report, 1908.

| No. 23 is distinguished by the form of the armlet,, a scroll design, not

clearly shown in the figure.

68

SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

this group. The tallest figure (No. 3, height 2 ft. 9 in.) does not

properly belong to this group.

Plates IX. and X. — Both bronzes are representations of Siva’s

consort Parvati or Siva-Kami. The shorter figure with the chest -

cord branching to right and left (No. 7, height 1 ft. 8 in.) would

belong to Siva in I. and II. The other figure (No. 19, height 2 ft.

3J in.) has the right arm broken. The richly flowered armlets of

delicate workmanship merit particular attention.

Plate XI. — The first figure from left to right is a statuette of

Tiru-gnana-sambandha Swami ( circa 500 a.d.), one of the chief

saints and apostles of Siva, and his psalms are in daily use in the

temples. He is said to have been called to be an apostle while still

a child (at Shikali in Tanjore District), and to have died a child.

Hence he is represented as a child nude, save for a child’s waist

string of beads and anklets, and with a child’s tuft of hair on the

front of the head, and holds in his hands the Golden Cymbals which

he received from Siva, and with which he went about singing Siva’s

praise. No. 13 ; height 1 ft. 4 in.

The second figure is that of Suriya, the Sun God, with halo round

the head and a lotus bud in either hand. This is a noteworthy

and uncommon type. No. 18 ; height 1 ft. 5J in.

The third figure represents Appar Swami, or Tiru-na-vukkarasu

Swami, apostle and psalmist of Siva, contemporary and friend of

Tiru-gnana-sambandha Swami ( circa 500 a.d.), a Buddhist con¬

verted to the religion of Siva. He holds in his hand a gran-cutter,

with which he went about weeding the gran in the courtyards of

the temples. No. 4 ; height 1 ft. 9 in.

The last figure again represents Appar Swami on a taller scale,

although the total height of the bronze is somewhat lower. He is

here shown with shaven head, clad only in a breech-clout, and

the end of the gran-cutter has been broken off. No. 10 ; height

1 ft. 7 in.

Plates XII. and XIII. — Figure 1 in XII., of* which figure 1 in

XIII. is a side view, and figure 2 in XII., of which figure 3 in XIII.

is a side view, represent Sundara-murti Swami, an apostle and

psalmist of Siva about 700 a.d. He was a native of Tiruvarur,

near Negapatam, in the Madras Presidency ; called to be an apostle

on his wedding day, hence dressed in the clothes and ornaments of

a bridegroom. Nos. 16 and 17 ; heights 1 ft. 8 in. and 1 ft. 4J in.

Figure 3 in XII. , of which figure 2 in XIII. is a back view, represents

Manikka-vachaka Swami, the greatest of Siva’s apostles and

psalmists, about 100 a.d. He was prime minister of the Pandyan

King of Madura in Madras Presidency before he was called to be an

apostle. He holds in his hand a palm leaf manuscript of his psalms,

PLATE I.

Nata-raja; front view.

PLATE II.

Nata-raja; back view,

PLATE III.

Two Nata-rajas, one without the braids, both without the halo.

PLATE IV.

Siva and Parvati : front view.

Siva and Parvati ; back view.

PLATE YI.

Siva and Parvati standing.

PLATE VII.

figures of Parvati and one of Siva.

PLATE VIII.

The same figures as in VII. , seen from different aspects.

PLATE IX.

Two ftgu] es of Parvati.

PLATE X.

The same two figures of Parvati in different aspects.

'

■

PLATE XI.

Tiru-gnana-sambandha Swami ; Suriya the Sun-god ; and two figures of Appar Swami.

PLATE XII.

Sundara-murti Swami (2) and Manikka-vachaka Swami.

PLATE XIII.

The same three sages as in XII. , in different aspects.

PLATE XIV.

Bull, Bell, and Braid. Chandesvara or a Demigod or King.

ANCIENT BRONZES.

69

Tiruvachakam , the holy word, with the initial words of the first

psalm “ Namassivaya ” inscribed. No. 8 ; height 1 ft. 9 in.

Plate XIV. — The bull (No. 25, height 1 ft. 5 in., length 1 ft. 2 in.)

is Siva’s charger, representing the soul (pasu), of which he is the

lord (pati), hence he is called pasu-pati. The pedestal upon which

the bull was placed to be photographed is an ancient curry-stone

having no connection with the bronze. Below the bull is a temple

bell (No. 6, 5 in. high), and part of the crown of a Nata-raja (No. 11,

1 ft. 11 in. long).

The standing figure in XIV. is believed to be Chandesvara,* an

apotheosized devotee of Siva. He is holding a garland of flowers.

On the base there is an inscription which has been read by

D. M. de Z. Wickremasinghe, who has kindly furnished the subjoined

note ( vide Appendix).

Of the few remaining bronzes of this series which have not been

illustrated, special mention should be made of a nude figure of

Krishna, originally dancing upon one foot, but now the head and

foot are severed from the rest of the body, though no part is missing

(No. 14, height 1 ft. 5J in.) ; and a figure of Parvati in sitting

attitude, but without the seat (No. 21).

It should be added that all of the bronzes are massive and very

heavy.

* No. 9; height 1 ft. 10 in.

70

SPOLIA ZEYLANlCA.

Polonnaruwa Bronzes (Third Series).

These are the bronzes which were found at Polonnaruwa in 1908

and forwarded to the Museum by the Archaeological Commissioner

in 1909.*

1. A Nata-raja, like that of Plates L and II. of the second

series, but on a much smaller scale ; height 18 in.

2. A Parvati, of similar type and dimensions to those of the

first series ; height 2 ft. 5 in.

3. A small Parvati , 12 in. high.

4. Round dish or tampalam, 10 J in. across.

5. Tripod with ornate feet, 6 in. high, 6J in. across the top.

6. A patra, 5J in. across, with good lustrous patina.

7. Bell, 13 in. high, with an inscription round the barrel.

8. Bell, 11 in. high, without inscription.

9 and 10. Double-ended spoons, or tadappe , 14-15 in. long, with

flat bowls ; like No. 42 in the first series. (Pig. 7.)

Text-figure 7. Double-ended Spoon. The larger end is 4§ in. across,

the smaller 2§ in. (No. 9 — 08, Polonnaruwa)

11. Incense vessel, or tuvakhal , with an inscription on the bowl ;

length 9J in., height 3 in. (Pig. 8.)

Text-figure 8. Incense vessel with inscription (No. 11 — 08, ^Polonnaruwa).

12. Similar incense burner without inscription.

* The objects are marked 1‘08, 2-08, &c.

ANCIENT BRONZES.

71

Other Bronzes from the North-Central Province.

In some instances no exact locality was attached to the pieces,

and these form a miscellaneous assortment from the North-Central

Province. Only a few of them need be mentioned here. Chief

amongst them are a bronze ampulla (No. 146) of graceful design,

over 1 ft. high, the bottom detached, a narrow straight rectangular

spout, and a lid supported by a chain ; and, secondly, a plain bronze

begging-bowl, or patra, 5| in. in diameter, 4 in. deep (No. 173;

this is clearly the patra from Puliyankulam referred to above in

a footnote on p. 61).

147. Incense burner or cresset 8J in. long.

149. Pear-shaped tinkling bell ( gejja ) 1| in. long.

152-153. Pediments over a foot in diameter.

154-156. Thin bronze dishes, much broken.

157-158. Probably gongs.

159-161. Small bells, 2-2 J in. high.

162. Bronze box for lime (chunam box), 2 in. high.

163. Seven-headed cobra, 6J in. high, roughly cast and un¬

finished.

164-165. Bronze finials, 6-7J in. high.

167. Ornamental bronze shaft, 14 J in. long, broken at both ends.

168-170. Three pieces of a bronze tripod which stood 1 ft. 6 in.

high.

171. Single cymbal (like No. 43 in the first series) with the

smith’s mark inscribed upon it.

172-173. Bowls (see note above on No. 173).

174-175. Lids, 4J-6i| in. across.

176-177. Bronze bangles.

181. Bronze pin, If in. long.

Oornfra Bronzes.

The history of Dondra (near Matara) is summarized in Tennent’s

“ Ceylon” 1860, Vol. II., pp. 113 and 114.

“ The most important temple was a shrine which in very early

times had been erected by the Hindus in honour of Vishnu. It was

in the height of its splendour, when in 1587 the place was devastated

in the course of the marauding expedition by which De Souza

d’ Arronches sought to create a diversion during the siege of Colombo

by Raja Sinha II.”

Sir Emerson Tennent may have been somewhat in error in attri¬

buting the foundation of the temple to the Hindus, inasmuch as the

cult of Vishnu is closely connected with that of Buddha in Ceylon.

In most Buddhist Vihares in Ceylon there is a black statue of Vishnu

either in the same room with the Buddha-rupa, or in a separate

camere.

72

SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

The bronzes which have been rescued from the disaster of Dondra

are all miniatures, and should be associated with the so-called Hindu

emblems which have been described above. They include seven

bronze elephants of three sizes, well executed, the largest barely

2 in. high (X 109/115-181) ; three lions; three horses, the largest

1J in. high. ; one bull, 1J in. ; six homunculi ; a bronze bottle,

1 \ in. high ; a conch shell, 2J- in. long ; miniature chatties ; and a

few other articles. Some of these things may have partaken of the

nature of toys without being divested of a religious significance.

A great annual religious fair is still held at Dondra, at which forms

of animals crudely modelled in pottery are sold for the delectation

of the young. The age of bronze and copper has given way to

that of brass and unglazed pottery.

The miniature bronzes of Dondra, Sigiriya, and Anuradhapura

are no less interesting in their way than the massive and ornate

productions of Polonnaruwa. By this it is not intended to touch

the question as to where any of these bronzes were actually cast.

All that concerns us here is the places where they have been found ,

and where they have lain buried for centuries.

Kurunegala Bronzes.

These appear to have been sent to the Museum about the year

1887 by Sir Frederick Saunders.

1. Large bronze tripod, two legs broken, nearly 8 in. high, 10 J

in. across the top. It bears a general resemblance to the tripod

(No. 5) contained in the third collection from Polonnaruwa (a.b. 1-83).

2. The top of a similar tripod (marked a.b. 4-83), 10 in. across,

with the ornate terminals of the feet remaining, may also have come

from Kurunegala, but the record is lost.

3. Drinking vessel, or kothali , somewhat broken, 5J in. high,

about 4 in. across the bowl, with a greenish lustre (a.b. 13-84).

4-10. Seven bronze stirrups, one of which has a rectangular base,

the others are round. Unluckily there is nothing further recorded

about them (X 60/66-169).

1 1 . Figure of Krishna in kneeling attitude , holding a toy in right

hand, 3 in. high (X 108-181).

For further information about the history of Kurunegala, reference

may be made to Simon Casie Chitty’s “ Ceylon Gazetteer,” 1834,

pp. 145-148.

Muniseram Bronzes.

Muniseram is not mentioned by Sir Emerson Tennent. Some

notable bronzes have been found there, for which the Museum was

again indebted to Sir Frederick Saunders.

A three-branched candelabra, 18 in. high, and a cresset in the

Grecian style, with handle, bowl, and spout, in all 14f in. long

Bronze elephant -spouted kothali from Ratnapura.

Lent to the Museum by Mr. P. E. Pieris.

ANCIENT BRONZES.

73

(a.b. 15-84), are the principal pieces. There are also two large

lamp covers having a modern appearance.

A number of bracket lamps with scroll work and prong for fixing

into a socket, hand lamps shaped like the incense-burners from

Polonnaruwa (third series), but without a spout below the bowl,

and hansas, or sacred geese, complete the collection, which deserves

more consideration than can be given to it on this occasion.

Text-figure 9. Bracket lamp from Muoiseram.

Up to the year 1906 the Muniseram and Kurunegala bronzes

were the principal bronzes in the Museum,* apart from the unique

bronze Buddhaf from Badulla District, the elephant-spouted kothali

from Ratnapura,J and the bronze elephant bell with bo-leaf and

triangle ornament, which was figured by Dr. A. K. Coomaraswamy

in “Mediaeval Sinhalese Art,” Plate XLIV., fig. 3.

There are more bronze Buddhist images and ornaments which

have been sent to the Museum from time to time from different

places or have been acquired by purchase. Their enumeration

must be deferred to a supplementary list later.

* See Spolia Zeylanica, Vol. III., p. 22. f Ibid., p. 17.

X Ibid., p. 22, and illustration herewith.

L

7(11)09

74

SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

APPENDIX.

Remarks on fVSeial Inscriptions,

By Don M. de Z. Wickremasinghe, Epigraphist (Oxford).

The inscription at the base of the statuette of Chandeswara (see

Plate XIV.) is in a dialect composed of mixed Grantha and Sin¬

halese. The first character is a compound letter, which gives the

proper name of the person the figure is supposed to represent. The

first letter of the compound is unreadable, but the last looks like a

cerebral N or a long U. The word cannot be Ganapati to judge

from the figure. The next word is Pati, meaning chief or lord ;

the next is Usaba, a Sinhalese word found in inscriptions, meaning

excellent, best derived from Sanskrit Risabha, meaning ox. The

final word is Vamse (Sinhalese Vahanse), an honorific title given to

lay or clerical personages.

From the above, and looking at the figure which is in an attitude

of worship, it seems to be that of a lord or chief or a king, and not a

deity.

No. 25 is a copper strip with inscription from Sigiriya, the letters

of which are undecipherable.

No. 87, a copper plate from Anuradhapura, contains Sanskrit

characters dating from about the second half of the 10th century

a.d. I have taken a rubbing of this for future reading.

No. 88, a bronze label with inscription from Anuradhapura.

The phrase is “ Daham-da-depatek ” in Sinhalese characters of the

12th century, the word depatek being repeated in Sanskrit characters

of llth-12th century.

Translation : “ Two leaves of the Dharma Jataka.” This label

was most probably attached to two leaves of the Dharma Jataka

written on copper.

No. 115, copper plate inscription from Anuradhapura. This is

figured and described in “Epigraphia Zeylanica,” Part I., pages

39-40.

NOTES.

75

NOTES.

1. Prehistoric Fortifications. — Around the foot of Mapagala hill,

close to Sigiri fort, is a wall of huge unshaped boulders, in some

places 20 ft. high, with occasionally a slight parapet. There are

some traces of similar work on Sigiri hill itself. Some of the stones

are about 10 ft. long by 4 ft. broad and thick. They are just

such walls as are numerous in Provence and elsewhere in Southern

Europe ; there is one, for example, at Puy Ricard, above the Cap

de la Veille, near Monaco. These have been ascertained to be pre-

Roman ; they are sometimes called Ligurian ; the material is not

always equally massive. They date from the Stone Age down to

about the time of the Roman occupation, a few centuries before the

Christian era.

It is fair to suppose that those of Mapagala are equally old,

probably built at a time before metal tools were in use, or the

stones would have been broken to avoid the herculean labour neces¬

sary for moving them in their present size. This, of course, would

date them before the building of Anuradhapura, or the legendary

invasions of Vijayo and Rama. As the use of metal is believed

to be earlier here than in Europe, it is not rash to suppose that these

walls were built 5,000 years ago. Probably others similar will be

discovered one day. Of what nature, for example, were the forts

in Ceylon described in the Ramayana and the Mahawansa ?

Before visiting this monument I had made an excursion into

Coorg. Close to Mercara the capital, is seen an example of the

dykes, kadangas, great trenches many miles long, often described.

This one near the “ Rajai Seat ” has the peculiarity of interrupting

the usual rather straight line by descending to make a loop around

a neighbouring hill somewhat lower down converting it into a forti¬

fied enclosure, so to speak, somewhat like the so-called “ rings ”

common in England. Dr. Richter in his book on Coorg noticed

the resemblance. These dykes may be very ancient ; the native

chronicle of Coorg speaks of repairs having been made several

centuries ago ; the natives talk of thousands of years. The trench

is some 15 ft. deep ; the earth thrown up on one side gives to that

part some 30 ft. in height.

Returning to Mapagala, the wall adjoins the cooly lines at the

base of the hill, only a short distance from the resthouse. At one

point on that side it recedes sharply as if to form an entrance passage.

The wall is continuous, except where it is rendered unnecessary

by the steep natural rock formation. During my visit Mr. A. R.

Siriwardena, Assistant to Mr. H. C. P. Bell, the Government Archaeo¬

logist, kindly gave me the great advantage of his company.

April 5 1909. J. B. ANDREWS.

76

SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

2. “ Gold Embedding .” — In my “ Mediaeval Sinhalese Art,”

p. 210, I have referred to the characteristic South Indian and

Sinhalese jewellery called in Sinhalese tahadu kola bemma (gold-leaf

application), and have figured examples of it on PI. XLVIIL, 5-7 ;

XLIX., 11.; LI., 1, 8, 18, &c. I am now able to give a short

description of this very interesting process, which is, I think,

peculiar to South India and Ceylon. The notes are taken from

observation of a South Indian kammalan (a Tamil goldsmith)

working in Colombo. The process is called in Tamil idu

tarigam, gold-embedding. Having prepared a design, thin strips

of gold, rather less than J in. in width, are bent into the shape of the

various parts of the designs, and soldered on to a thin gold plate,

forming a series of vertical sided cells. The thin strips are previously

roughened with prick-marks to make the subsequently added gold

hold more firmly- The prepared framework (called umisam ) is

then imbedded in melted wax and fastened on to a short piece of

cane for convenient working ; the framework is then partially

excavated from the hard wax, until it stands out clearly on a plane

surface just above the level of the gold plate foundation. The

separate cells are left about two-thirds filled. This stage is illus¬

trated in the accompanying figure.

Gold embedding framework

prepared for stones (natural size).

The stones, usually thin cabochon rubies, are laid in their cells,

generally with a backing of foil to heighten the colour, and a

glowing charcoal is held to each to melt them in firmly. When all

NOTES.

77

the stones have been thus inlaid, very thin gold leaf strip (not to be

confused with the relatively much stouter strips of which the

framework is made) is taken and applied around and between the

stones and worked in with much force, apphed with a progressive

rocking movement of a small double ended chisel-shaped tool

(sitakku) , fixed in an ingenious wooden holder. Finally, the gold

thus firmly applied is smoothed and polished. The final result is

an ornament showing gold on both sides (the back generally

engraved in outline, corresponding to the whole design), and having

a foundation of wax remaining between back and front.

Only the very simplest tools are used throughout : two or three

of the chisel-shaped gravers, a pair of pincers, the wax, and the

short stick on which the wax and contained framework are mounted.

The effect is one of great richness of colour. This is now, however,

generally spoilt by the use of facetted stones, which reflect white

light, and so largely spoil the colour effect.

A. K. COOMARASWAMY.

M

7(11)09

"Wonal MuseM^,

Royal 8 vo. 680 pages. 100 illustrations. Bound in cloth gilt

price 25s. nett.

ANCIENT CEYLON:

An Account of the Aborigines and of Part of the Early Civilization.

by

H. PARKER,

Late of the Irrigation Department , Ceylon.

WITH ILLUSTRATIONS BY THE AUTHOR.

LONDON:

Luzac & Co., Publishers to the India Office,

46, Great Russell Street, W.C,

1909.

CONTENTS.

Part I. — The Aborigines.

Part II. — Structural Works.

Part III. — Arts, Implements, and Games.

The Origin and Signification of the Cross and

Swastika.

Appendix. — Table of Measured Bricks.

With 21 full-page illustrations, and 80 in the text,

comprising more than 300 figures.

NOTES ON NUDIBRANCHS,

79

MOTES on A COLLECTION OF NUDIBRANCHS

FROM CEYLON,

By Sir Charles Eliot, K.C.M.G.,

Vice-Chancellor , University of Sheffield .

IN two Papers published in the Proceedings of the Zoological

Society of London (1906, pp. 636-691, and 1906, pp. 999-1008)

I discussed the nudibranchs already recorded from Southern India

and Ceylon, with special reference to the drawings left by Kelaart,

some of which were published with the first Paper. Subsequent-

authors have, in many cases, allowed Kelaart’s names to stand in

their lists as if they were valid, but have duplicated species by re¬

describing the same animals under new names. Kelaart’s species are

mostly recognizable if his figures are compared with living animals,

but if they are compared with preserved specimens identification

is often difficult. I therefore asked Dr. Willey to let me have any

specimens of nudibranchs he could find in Trincomalee (where

Kelaart collected) or elsewhere in Ceylon, with notes on the living

animals, and any suggestions which he could make as to their

identification with Kelaart’s figures. He has very kindly sent me

examples of fourteen species, with most useful notes. As a result,

I am able to give further details about the animals which Kelaart

called Eolis tristis , Doris fidelis, D. preciosa , and Trevelyana ceylo-

nica ; also about the Scyllcea marmorata and Doris areolata of Alder

and Hancock. It is further, I think, clear that Trippa ornata ,

Bergh — Doris intecta, Kelaart, and Discodoris morphcea, Bergh = D.

fragilis, A. & H. The second specific name of each pair must stand.

The following abbreviated references are used : —

Kelaart 1

Kelaart 2

Kelaart 3

Alder & Han¬

cock 1

Eliot 1

Ann. & Mag., Nat. Hist., 1859, Vol. III.,

pp. 291-304.

Ann. & Mag., Nat. Hist., 1859, Vol. III.,

pp. 388-496.

Ann. & Mag., Nat. Hist., 1859, Vol. IV.,

pp. 267-70.

Notes on a collection of Nudibranchiate

mollusca made in India — in Proc. Zook

Society, 1864, pp. 113-47.

On the Nudibranchs of Southern India and

Ceylon — in Proc. Zook Society, 1906,

pp. 636-91.

N

7(14)09

80

SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

Eliot 2 . . On the Nudibranchs of Southern India and

Ceylon — in Proc. Zool. Society, 1906,

pp. 999-1008.

The list of species is as follows. They all of them belong to genera

already recorded from the Indo-Pacific, but the variations in the

anatomy of Trevelyana as illustrated by T. ceylonica are interesting.

I have examined the original specimens described by Alder and

Hancock and by Bergh in all cases where they affected the identi¬

fications here suggested. They are preserved in the Museums of

Newcastle- on-Tyne and Copenhagen respectively.

1. Cuthona tristis (Kelaart).

? = Cratena cucullata, Bergh.

2. Scyllsea marmorata (A. & H.).

? — Sc. pelagica var. orientalis , Bergh.

3. Hexabranchus marmoratus (Q. & G.).

= Doris gloriosa, Kelaart.

4. Trippa intecta (Kelaart). ‘

— T. ornata , Bergh.

5. T. areolata (A. & H.).

= T. ( Phlegmodoris ) mephitica , Bergh.

6. Discodoris fragilis (A. & H.).

= D. morphcea , Bergh.

7. D. concinna (A. & H.).

— D. concinniformis , Bergh.

8. Diaulula sp., juven.

9. Hallaxa decorata (Bergh). [Hallaxa n. n.]

10. Chromodoris fidelis (Kelaart).

— Chr. flammulata, Bergh.

11. Chr. preciosa (Kelaart).

12. Trevelyana ceylonica (Kelaart).

13. Doridopsis nigra (Stimpson).

14. D. rubra (Kelaart).

Cuthona ( Cratena ) tristis (Kelaart).

= Eolis tristis, Kelaart 2, p. 491. See Eliot I., p. 686, PL XLIII. ,

fig. 5.

One specimen from Trincomalee, which, when alive, probably

agreed with Kelaart’s plate of Eolis tristis, since Dr. Willey has

labelled it with that name. Its appearance as preserved supports

this supposition. The colour is yellowish white, with grayish

pigment, formed of minute dots, distributed in bands over the body

and cerata.

NOTES ON NUDIBRANCHS.

81

The animal is elongate and narrow, about 14 mm. long and 3-4

mm. broad at different points. The right oral tentacle and right

rhinophore are very large, more than 5 mm. long, whereas the

corresponding organs on the left are not half the size. It is not clear

whether this conformation is a monstrosity or due to distortion by

the preserving fluid. The corners of the foot are rounded. The

rhinophores are quite smooth and show no trace of perfoliations.

The genital orifices lie below the dorsal margin, about 2 mm. from

the head, and the anal papilla about 2 mm. further back in the line

of the margin. Most of the cerata are detached. They were set

on seven low oblique ridges. The anterior ridges seem to have borne

8-9 cerata, the others fewer. The largest cerata are about 4 mm.

long. The margin of the foot is expanded, and posteriorly the foot

is prolonged behind the body in a tail.

The jaws bear a single row of very distinct denticles with squarish

tips. The radula consists of a single row of 22 teeth of the horse¬

shoe type. The posterior limbs are long. The central cusp is large

and long : on either side of it are four or five (generally five) long,

thin, lateral denticles.

No armature was found in the genitalia.

This animal seems referable to Gratena , Bergh, but as I have

indicated elsewhere (Journ. Mar. Brit. Assn., 1906, pp. 363-6) the

genera Cuthona , Cuthonella , and Gratena seem to me not distinguish¬

able by any valid generic characters. Species should therefore be

described under the oldest generic name, viz., Cuthona.

The present species is nearly allied to, and possibly identical with,

the later (1905) Cratena cucullata, Bergh, from Gisser island in the

Malay Archipelago, near Timor.

Cr. cavancce, B., Cr. pusilla, B., and Cr. bylgia, B., all seem to

be allied species.

Scyllcea marmorata (A. & H.).

See A. & H. I., p. 136, and Eliot I., pp. 675-6.

? = Sc. pelagica var. orientalis , Bergh, Mai. Unt. in Semper’s

Reisen., pp. 339-41.

One specimen from Trincomalee. It is 15 mm. long and of a pale

brown. The epidermis detaches itself very easily, and has mostly

disappeared from the sides of the body, but on the back and inside

the cerata it can be seen that the pale brown ground was elegantly

marked with darker marblings. Traces of a light margin still

remain on the rhinophore sheaths, cerata, and caudal crest. There

is a row of 4-5 white tubercles on either side of the body.

The animal is much like Alder and Hancock’s figure, except that

the tail is shorter. The cerata are rounded, not jagged or indented.

The rhinophore sheaths and caudal crest are not large. The

branchial tufts are ample and luxuriant, pellucid, but marked with

fine brown lines. They are found on the inner side of the cerata, on

82

SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

the back, and caudal crest. There is a small accessory lobe on the

left side between the two cerata, arising from the base of the

anterior one. It looks as if it were a monstrosity, but it is

remarkable that in A. & H.’s figure there is also a small additional

excrescence on the left side.

The internal organs are much as described by Bergh for Sc. pda-

gica var. orientalis. The buccal parts, both jaws and teeth, are not

materially different from those of the typical species. The formula

of the radula is 20 X 231*23 in the longest rows. The median

teeth have 4 or 5 denticles on either side, the laterals 4-6. After

receiving the ducts of two branched salivary glands, the oesophagus

dilates into the somewhat wider but elongate and tube-like first

stomach. This is followed by the more globular second stomach,

which bears a band of twenty horny plates. They are not very

strong, white with yellow edges, and triangular in shape. Large and

small plates alternate regularly. The whole alimentary tract is

profusely but not uniformly spotted with little brown dots. The

liver appears to be divided into three parts, one anterior and two

posterior. The posterior portion, if not actually double, is at any

rate deeply divided. The hepatic branches are few, colourless,

and small. I was unable to trace them beyond the immediate

neighbourhood of the liver.

The central nervous system, like the alimentary canal, is profusely

spotted with brown. In the ganglia the cerebral and pleural portions

are distinct. The pedal ganglia are large and rather elongate ; the

buccal round and close together. In the anterior portion of the

genitalia the twisted vas deferens and the spermatotheca are both

bright brown, and contrast vividly with the white albumen gland on

which they lie.

This species appears to be both the Scyllcea marmorata of Alder

and Hancock and the Sc. pelagica var. orientalis of Bergh. It is hard

to say whether it should be given specific rank or not. But it has a

characteristic appearance and does not resemble any Sc. pelagica

that I have ever seen, so I think A. & H.’s specific name may be

employed, at least provisionally.

Hexabranchus marginatus (Q. & G.).

= Doris gloriosa, Kelaart I., p. 291.

See Quoy and Gaimard on Doris marginata. Voy. de V Astrolabe

Zool. II., 1832, p. 255, PL 17, figs. 1-5, and Bergh, Siboga Exped.

Opisthob., 1905, p. 90 and PL I., fig. 2.

One specimen of this fine species from Colombo Breakwater.

When alive it was 6 inches long and from 3J to 5 inches broad,

according to its state of expansion.

A diagram of the colours shows that it was a typical specimen of

H. marginatus , of which there is a beautiful drawing in Bergh’s

account of the Siboga collection (1. c.).

NOTES ON NUDIBRANCHS.

83

The form is common in the Indo-Pacific, at any rate on the East

African coast. It may be doubted whether the species of Hexa-

branchus are for the most part more than colour varieties.

Trippa, Bergh.

The genera Trippa and Phlegmodoris were created by Bergh as

separate in 1877 and 1878 respectively, but subsequently united

(see Bergh in Semper’s Reisen Heft. XVII., p. 904; id. SibogaExp.

Opisthob, p. 129). This amalgamation is undoubtedly correct, for

though the two types T. ornata and Ph. mephitica are not much

alike in appearance, they agree in their anatomy, and the external

structure is fundamentally the same in both, as the back is soft but

spiculous and covered with compound tubercles. In the internal

organs there is no armature on the labial cuticle or genitalia ; the

radula is rather small, and consists of hamate laterals without a

central tooth ; and the only special feature is the presence of ptyaline

glands at the extremity of the oral tube. It may be doubted if

these glands should be considered a necessary character of the

genus.

I think that I have shown in the descriptions which follow that

the two animals named above are identical with Doris intecta ,

Kelaart, and D. areolata, A. & H., and should therefore be called

Trippa intecta and Trippa areolata respectively. T. monsoni from

East Africa* (? = Doris leoparda, Kelaart) also seems to have the

full characters of the genus, but is small and perhaps immature.

The other species are more doubtful. T. affinis, B., is probably a

variety of T. intecta, and T. spongiosa (Kel.) of T. areolata. Though

the characters of T. ? hispida, B., and T. ? anceps, B., are clear,

Bergh himself expresses some doubt whether the animals are really

referable to Trippa. T. luteola (= Thordisa ? caudata, Farran) is

perhaps referable to this genus, for it has flat tubercles bearing

secondary spiculous projections, and also smooth patches among

the tuber6les which perhaps correspond to the pits of other species.

Also it has ptyaline glands. But it must be admitted that in

general appearance it is not like the typical species.

Trippa intecta (Kelaart) .

— T. ornata, Bergh.

See Kelaart I., p. 302; Eliot I., p. 658; Bergh in Semper’s Reisen

Heft. XII., p. 543; and Heft. XVII., p. 905 ; id. Siboga Expeditie,

p. 129-33.

Nine specimens from Trincomalee. The largest is 55 mm. long

and 37 broad, the smallest 18 mm. long and 12 broad. The colour

varies from bottle green to black, with white markings, and the

smaller specimens are the darkest. The white markings are absent

* See Eliot, in Proc. Z. Soc., 1903, p. 371, and id. I., p. 660.

84

SPOLiA ZEYLANICA.

altogether in one, in another they form a continuous and regular

line from the branchiae forwards. In the rest they consist of

patches, generally arranged so as to form a more or less interrupted

medio- dorsal line, but occasionally are scattered over the sides as

well. They look as if the animal had been sprinkled with sand, but

are due to the entire absence of pigment in certain areas of the dorsal

surface, both in the depressions and in all the tubercles, large and

small.

The animals present the general appearance of a heap of tufted

seaweed. This is due to the back being thickly covered with

compound tubercles of very irregular shape, the largest about

5 mm. high, but often greater in breadth than height. In shape

they are roundish and somewhat flattened at the tops. They bear

a variable number (5-25) of flat knobs, and on each of these knobs is

set a group of very small cylindrical papillae, from which sometimes,

but not always, a few spicules project a little. But the shape of the

tubercles shows infinite variety, and is not even constant in one

specimen. Sometimes the raised patches which bear the papillae

are set on the flattest parts of the dorsal surface, sometimes the

tubercles are flat, and sometimes they are conical. When large, they

may often be described as four-fold, that is to say, a roughly conical

tubercle develops bulges at the side ; on these bulges are set flat

prominences, and on the flat prominences are set the papillae. All

the tubercles and integuments are very soft and flabby. The

margin of the foot has a shallow groove in front, and the upper

lamina is divided in the middle ; the two lappets thus formed run

up to the mouth on either side. In many specimens no tentacles

are visible. In others it is plain that there is a long tapering well-

formed tentacle near the point where the lappet joins the lips. As

may be imagined from the luxuriantly tuberculate character of the

back, the rhinophores and branchiae are not conspicuous. The

sheaths of the rhinophores are raised, and sometimes as much as

5 mm. high ; the surface is tuberculate and the margin very irregular.

In some specimens it is edged with a row of small white papillae.

The branchial pocket is also raised, tuberculate, and irregularly

lobed. The rhinophores are dark, with white tips. The branchiae

are 5, tripinnate, and dark, with a variable amount of white colour

on their inner sides. They are united at the base. The general

impression produced by the animals, particularly by those which

have the white line on the back most perfect, is that there is a

median dorsal ridge or keel. But this impression depends largely

on the white line. The dorsal keel is irregularly and sometimes very

slightly developed, and in one specimen is entirely absent. The

foot is broad and pellucid, with little colour of its own, but often

covered with minute brown dots.

Immediately behind the lips on the outer wall of the mouth tube —

that is, on the surface turned towards the body cavity and viscera —

NOTES ON NTJDIBRANCHS.

85

are set a circle (or two half circles divided by an interval) of small

glands , each consisting of a roundish mass bearing small tuberculate

processes. They appear to be ptyaline glands, and are additional to

the ordinary band-like salivary glands, which also are present in the

usual place behind the buccal bulb.

The buccal mass is small. The radula does not exceed 30 rows,

even in large specimens , and the number of teeth in each half row is

only 40-45. They are hamate and rather slender. The inner and

outer teeth are smaller than the rest, but not denticulate or materially

different in shape. There is no trace of buccal armature. The

oesophagus is broad and dilates into a sort of bag. The stomach is

not very large, and has thin walls.

The liver is of a deep brown. It is covered with a thick layer of

the whitish hermaphrodite gland which sends branches into its

substance, some of which are 5 mm. long. The branches of the

gland, though thick, allow the dark mass of the liver to be seen

between them. The liver is deeply cleft in front to receive the

stomach , and pointed at the posterior end.

In the central nervous system the cerebro-pleural ganglia are

fused into an egg-shaped mass, a little broader in front than behind.

The pedal ganglia are round. The eyes large, with red lenses.

The blood gland is brown, rather large and thick, and appears to

consist of several lobes compressed together.

The outer of the two large genital glands (the mucus gland) is

bright brown, and still soft and sticky. The inner portion (the

albumen gland) is hard, and yellowish white. The vas deferens

is long and much coiled. There is no prostate gland, but the

upper portion of the vas deferens is thicker and softer than the

lower. The two receptacula seminis are close together, both

spherical, and both of much the same size. One is pink, the

other yellow.

I have compared these specimens with the type specimen of

Trippa ornata in the Copenhagen Museum, and consider that

they belong to the same species, although the type specimen

is much lighter, being brownish green. It may represent a

light variety, but has also lost its original colour in all

probability.

It is also I think certain that these specimens are the Doris intecta

of Kelaart, as was suspected by Bergh himself (1. c. Heft XVII.).

As pointed out in a previous paper (Eliot, 1. c.) , the objection to

identifying this form with T. ornata was Kelaart’ s statement that it

had long oral tentacles, but the present series of specimens shows

that though the tentacles often contract under the influence of

alcohol, they are sometimes elongate as preserved, and probably

are always elongate in life. I doubt if Bergh’ s Trippa afjfinis is

more than a variety of this species. The white band and the dorsal

keel are not constant features.

86

SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

Trippa areolata (A. & H.).

A. & H. I., p. 119, cf. Doris spongiosa , KelaartL, p. 302.

Phlegmodoris mephitica , Bergh, in Semper’s Reisen Heft 13, p. 594.

One specimen, which must have been about 90 mm. long when

perfect. The whole mantle margin has been detached, apparently

by autotomy, as often happens in Discodoris fragilis, but has been

preserved with the rest of the animal. The colour is now a yellowish

green of various shades, diversified by circles or pits of a deep black.

Dr. Willey has kindly given me some notes and a diagram illustrating

the appearance of the hying animal. It was of a “ brownish bath

sponge ground colour,” with a peaked median ridge. At the sides

were rows of “ black areolae with yellowish borders, increasing the

appearance of depth.” The row next to the ridge consists of ten

relatively small areolae. In the next row are nine, of which six are

large, twice the size of any of the others. Nearer the margin are

three rows of small areolae. “ The whole dorsum [is beset] with

upstanding peaks between the areolae.”

The general structure of the dorsal surface is as in T. intecta (Kel.)

already described, the chief difference being that the tubercles are

united into ridges arranged in a more regular pattern, and divided

in places by the black depressed areas mentioned above. There is a

medio- dorsal ridge, composed of compound tubercles fused together,

which gives off lateral ridges. These again send off other ridges and

thus connect with one another. Near both the head and tail the

ridges become so numerous and complicated that no pattern can

be distinguished. The appearance of the preserved specimen does

not quite agree with the diagram, evidently because the tubercles

contract in alcohol and hide the smaller areolae between them.

There are four black areolae symmetrically arranged at the sides of the

median ridge, and other less distinct areolae of the same kind nearer

the mantle margin. These spaces are smooth, but the tuberculate

part of the back is thickly covered with little spiculous cylindrical

processes. Hence the animal, though flabby, is yet rather harsh

and rough to the touch.

The rhinophore sheaths are high, tuberculate, and with jagged

margins. The branchiae are 5 : three are much larger than the

others and have a very wide main rhachis. The inner side is whitish.

The edge of the pocket shows five very irregular undulations. The

front of the foot is split, and the upper lamina runs up to the mouth

on either side. At the point of junction is a fairly large oral

tentacle.

As in T . intecta , there is a ring of pty aline glands round the

mouth tube.

There is no trace of jaws. The radula is conspicuous and composed

of large teeth, but its dimensions as a whole are not large. The

formula is about 25 X 40 *0*40 as a maximum. The teeth are

NOTES ON NUDTBRANCHS.

87

simply hamate, rather stout, and blunt. Those near the rhachie

are small and low, the full size being attained only about the tenth

tooth. The outermost are thin, but not degraded.

The stomach is large and external to the liver. It has thick walls

and a copiously laminated interior. The intestine also is large, and

runs far forward before turning backward. The liver is greenish

brown, but covered by a thick layer of the whitish hermaphrodite

gland. It is very deeply cleft in front, and the glandular layer

covers both sides of this cleft, and also penetrates into a smaller

cleft running to the right. Thus the anterior right-hand corner

of the liver almost forms a separate mass, but the two portions are

connected below.

The central nervous system shows a number of distinct coarse

granulations, but the different ganglia are not at all distinct. It is

enclosed in a very tough spotted membrane.

The blood gland is large, greenish grey, and, though compressed

together , seems to be divided into several lobes.

The genitalia are as described by Bergh. The ampulla of the

hermaphrodite gland lies on the anterior genital mass in a few short

coils. There is no prostate. The vas deferens is thin and coiled.

The round spermato theca has a very short duct, and is nearly

sessile. The spermatocyst is unusually large, sausage -shaped, and

bent on itself. The vestibulum genitale is black.

I have no doubt that this specimen is Bergh’s Phlegmodoris

( Trippa ) mephitica. It agrees in structure and general appearance

with the original specimens with which I have compared it, and also

offers many coincidences in detail, such as the granulate nervous

system and the deep cleft in the liver. I have also no doubt that it

is the Doris areolata of Alder and Hancock, and should bear that

specific name. It is possible that this and the D. spongiosa of

Kelaart are both varieties of one species, for D. spongiosa appears

to be similar, but without the black pits. But until a specimen with

the external characters described by Kelaart has been examined . no

conclusion is possible.

Discodoris fragilis (A. & H.).

— Disc . morphcea , Bergh, Mai. Unters. in Semper’s Reisen Heft. XII.,

pp. 536-40, id. Challenger Report, 1884, pp. 93-8.

See A. & H. I., pp. 118-9 ; Eliot 2, p. 1004.

Two specimens from Colombo. They are somewhat bent, but

about 75 mm. long. In one the auto to my of the mantle which is

characteristic of the species is commencing, but the flap has not yet

been thrown off. The texture is soft, though the tubercles on the

dorsal surface are hard.

The colouration of both specimens is extremely complicated, but

not quite the same, though similar, since in one the predominant

7(14)09

o

SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

88

tint is green, in the other dull pink. In both there is a yellowish

ground profusely marbled with light and dark shades of greenish or

pinkish brown, and also with white. Besides this, yellow freckles

are irregularly scattered here and there, and the whole dorsal surface

is profusely sprinkled with white flattish tubercles of various sizes

the largest being as much as 1 mm. in width. The sole of the foot

and under-surface of the mantle are pinkish in one specimen,

yellowish in the other, and in both bear numerous blotches of gray

or olive.

The foot is broad. Its anterior margin is deeply grooved and the

upper lamina is notched in the middle , but the sides overlap so that

the notch is hidden. Hence, probably, it was not noticed by Alder

and Hancock. The tentacles are large, and have a hard core com¬

posed of spicules and granules, visible even externally through the

transparent integuments.

The pockets of the rhinophores are moderately raised and tuber-

culate like the rest of the back. The branchial pocket is also a

little raised, and has an undulated but not stellate margin. The

branchiae are six, quadripinnate, and with stout stems. They are

grayish, with darker speckles. The integuments are full of small

spicules of various shapes, mostly bent in the middle, and with

swollen ends.

The inside of the body cavity is pinkish, and the same tint prevails

in the intestines. The labial armature is very distinct, and consists

of two triangular or hatchet-shaped plates composed of minute

rods. The formula of the radula is about 45 X 75,0'75. The

teeth are hamate and rather erect, especially the outermost, which

are thinner than the others. The stomach lies outside the liver

and near the exit of the intestine ; its interior bears numerous folds

of a mossy appearance. The liver is pinkish in one specimen,

yellowish in the other. In both specimens the intestine makes

a bend under the liver mass on the right-hand side and comes

up again.

The blood glands are olive coloured, of moderate size, and entirely

separated from one another by the central nervous system which

lies between them. This latter is flat and coarsely granulate ; the

separate ganglia are not distinguishable as preserved.

The ampulla of the hermaphrodite gland is thick and coiled

several times. The large distinct prostate shows two portions, one

pink and one greenish. The vas deferens is not very long or much

coiled. The lower part, where it passes into the prseputium and the

prseputium itself, bear folds and knots, but no hard armature. The

spermatotheca is large and green ; the spermatocyst small.

I have compared these specimens with A. & H.’s text and figures,

and also with the fragments of their original specimens of Disc .

fragilis preserved ah Newcastle , and find that they belong to the same

species, the only point of difference being that Alder and Hancock

NOTES ON NTJDIBRANCHS.

89

say that the upper lamina of the anterior pedal margin is not notched,

whereas here it is divided in the middle. But, as explained above,

this notch, though distinct when seen, may be hidden and easily

escape notice.

Also, after comparison with Bergh’s original specimens in the

British Museum and Copenhagen Museum, I think that Disc, fragilis

is the same animal as his Disc . morphcea. His specimens have lost

their colour, but what remains of it and the texture support the

identification. The only difference to be noted is that the original

specimen from the Philippine Islands had thickenings on the rhachis

resembling teeth. But these were not found in the Challenger

specimens, and they are probably often absent, perhaps only

occasionally present. Against this difference may be set not only

the general resemblance of Disc, fragilis to Disc, morphcea, but the

following coincidences in details -(1) The central nervous system

is granulated and the divisions are not distinct ; (2) the two blood

glands are separate and divided by the central nervous system ;

(3) the stomach is laminated internally ; (4) the intestine dips

down under the right side of the liver and comes up again ; (5)

the praeputium is laminated ; and (6) the oral tentacles have a

spiculous core.

Discodoris concinna (A. & H.).

= D. concinniformis , B.

See A. &H. I., p. 118 ; Eliot I.,pp. 251-2 ; and Eliot II., p. 1005.

One specimen from Trincomalee, which is probably immature,

being only 26 mm. long and 16 broad. According to the notes it

was brownish gray when alive, with darker patches. Down the

centre of the back ran a line of not very clear whitish areas ; on

either side of this was a line of dark patches more deeply coloured

than the rest. There were numerous other patches, smaller and

fainter.

The grayish tint of the animal (which is well reproduced in

Alder and Hancock’s plate) is due to the papillae with which the

back is densely covered being gray, irrespective of the ground colour

on which they stand. The branchial pocket is raised, but not

stellate.

The buccal parts are as usual in the species. The formula of the

radula is about 27 X 60 '0 *60, The teeth at the end of the rows

are long and thin, but not denticulate or degraded.

This species is common in the Indo-Pacific, and extends north¬

wards to Japan. It attains a length of 6-7 centimetres, and the

general colour is sometimes bluish rather than brown, as in this

specimen. But the curious gray effect produced by whitish papilke

on a darker ground is always noticeable. It appears to be nearly

related to D. notha from the West Indies.

90

SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

Diaulula sp. , juven.

One specimen from Trincomalee. When alive it measured 14 mm.

in length and. 9 mm. in breadth. The colour was translucent white,

but the viscera showed dark through the body wall, and on the white

ground were a small number of scattered white spots. With the

aid of the microscope it could be seen that the whole upper surface

is peppered with minute black spots.

The back is hispid, being covered with minute white papillae, from

which project tufts of spicules. The foot is deeply grooved in front

and notched. The oral tentacles are long and thin. The rims of

the rhinophorial and branchial pockets are slightly and evenly

raised. The branchiae appear to be 5.

The buccal parts are protruded. On the labial cuticle are dark

patches, but nothing that can be called an armature was found

under the highest power.

Only 11 rows (? all) were found in the radula, with a formula

of about 31 0‘ 31. All the teeth are simply hamate, but whereas

the first 15 or so are small and low, the rest are tall and stout. The

outermost tooth is slender, but not much degraded.

The penis appears to be armed with scales, but no spines were

found.

The specimen does not fit conveniently into any recognized genus ,

and belongs to a group of Do rids which are difficult to classify,

namely, those with papillate back, and no very decided peculiarities

in the internal organs. As the present specimen is almost certainly

immature, it does not seem desirable to make it the type of a new

genus. Among existing genera it comes as near to Diaulula as

any other.

Hallaxa decorata (Bergh).

See Bergh, in Semper’s Reisen Heft. XIII., pp. 572-4.

The name Halla , given by Bergh to a genus of nudibranchs in

1878, was already in use for a Polychset worm, Halla parthenopeia ,

A. Costa, 1844,* and must therefore be altered. It is suggested that

it should be replaced by Hallaxa.

Three specimens without notes, but in a bottle, whose contents

come from Trincomalee. The largest is 14 mm. long and 9 broad ;

all are flat and soft, with an ample mantle margin.

The colour produces an impression of dark bluish gray or indigo,

but under a lens is seen to be due to a complicated system of

markings: (1) the ground colour is formed by mottlings of grayish

purple, varying in intensity ; (2) over these mottlings are scattered

numerous dark brown or black dots ; (3) there are also round spots

* See A. Costa in Ann. Accad. d. Aspirant! Naturalisti Napoli, II., p. 63,

1844.

NOTES ON NTTDIBTtANCITS.

91

of the same purplish colour but darker. They are not numerous, and

are set in a ring round the mantle margin and in fairly symmetrical

rows on the back. They look as if they were tubercles, but in

reality are very little raised, if at all, and the dorsal surface is

practically smooth. The foot is yellowish, especially towards the

margin.

The lips are ample, and the buccal parts seem slightly protruded ,

but not enough to show the labial armature. There are no tentacles

but the lips are connected with the mouth parts by two lappets.

The rhinophores are dark purple. The branchiae are 12 and simply

pinnate ; their colour is much like the dorsal surface , but the axes

are beautifully lined with white on the inner side.

The labial armature is a narrow band, composed of rods. The

formula of the radula is25x 14 + 1*0*1 + 14, and the teeth have

the remarkable shape described by Bergh. The innermost on

either side of the rhachis are large, broad, and divided into two

portions at the top. The outer of the two portions bears six or

more denticles. The remaining teeth are thin and erect, and bear

about twelve denticles.

This is apparently a dark variety of Bergh \s H alia decor ata. It wi II

be observed that the composition of the colouration is as described

by him, though the general effect is different. Information as to

the colour of the living animal is desirable, for these complicated

patterns are often much altered by alcohol.

The affinities of this remarkable form are doubtful, but it shows

some resemblance to Sphcerodoris (especially Sph. levis) in both the

external and internal structure of the mouth parts and in having

simply pinnate branchiae.

The radula also shows some resemblance to that of Thorunna

furtiva, and both recall the dentition of the Poly cer idee y inasmuch

as they are narrow7 and have one tooth sharply differentiated from

the rest.

Chromodoris fidelis (Kelaart).

Kelaart I., p. 295 ; Eliot I., p. 642.

One specimen from Trincomalee. There are no notes on the

living animal, but as Dr. Willey labelled the specimen Ghr. fidelis

it presumably resembled Kelaart’s drawring, which has a very

distinct colour pattern, viz., a white dorsal surface, with which

contrast vividly a broad red border of irregular outline on the

inner side, and black rhinophores and branchiae. In the preserved

specimen the dorsal integuments are of a uniform white, but the

rhinophores and branchiae are coal-black. The black liver mass

can be seen through the integuments.

The length is 8 mm. and the breadth 4 mm. The skin is smooth.

The rhinophore sheaths are slightly raised. The mantle margin

forms ample expansions over the head and tail.

92

SPOLIA ZEYLAXICA.

The labiaKarmature is dark purple and of unusual appearance,

being arranged in regular rows like a radula. It is formed of short,

bent, bifid rods, which stand up exactly like the teeth of many

Chromodorids. It really forms a complete circular band, but there

is an apparent interruption, as at one point the rods, though present,

are colourless. This armature must have much the same action as

a radula, and this is perhaps the reason why the real radula is minute.

It is composed of 40 rows, which contain about 35 extremely small

yellowish teeth on either side of the rhaehis. There are traces of

triangular thickenings on this latter. The first laterals are broad

and denticulate on both sides. The second and third are also broad

but denticulate only on the outside. The rest are erect with

hamate tips, and bear under the principal hook 5-8 denticles.

Near the end of the rows the denticles are fewer and situated chiefly

on the apex of the teeth.

The central nervous system is very large. All the ganglia (in¬

cluding the olfactory and buccal ganglia) are large, round, and

distinct.

Ghr. flammulata, Bergh, and Ghr. lactea, Bergh, are perhaps both

colour varieties of this species. In the former the red border of the

back deepens to black or brown at its inner edge, and in the latter

the border is altogether absent.

Ghromodoris preciosa (Kelaart).

Kelaart I. , p. 295 ; Eliot I. , pp. 642-3 ; for Ghr. flammulata and

Ghr . lactea see Bergh, Siboga Expeditie, 1905, pp. 151-2, 159-60.

Three specimens from Trincomalee. Dr. Willey’s notes on the

living animals say “ Small white Chromodorids. Foot extended

behind mantle in crawling. Crimson border, followed by a yellow

sub "marginal border. A few obscure spots on dorsum. Red

rhinophores and red gills. In one specimen the rhinophores and gills

are black.”

As preserved, the integuments, rhinophores, and branchiae are

all white. The largest specimen is 10 mm. long and 5 5 broad.

The mantle is ample, and expanded over the head and tail.

The labial armature is very regularly arranged as in Ghr. fidelis,

but still conforms to the normal type , and the elements which are

bifid rods do not stand erect. It must be remembered , however, that

this organ in Ghr. fidelis is described from a single specimen, and that

an examination of others might show the existence of variation.

It forms in Ghr. preciosa an incomplete circle, and the interruption

appears to be real, not an appearance produced by change of colour.

The teeth are much as in Ghr. fidelis , but the denticles are coarse^

and more distinct.

Kelaart appears to have thought that Ghr. fidelis and Ghr. preciosa

resembled one another, though the similarity is not very apparent

NOTES ON NtTDIBRAN OHS .

93

from either the descriptions or figures. But the idea that the two

forms are related is borne out by their structure, and they may

prove to be merely colour varieties.

Trevelyana (Kelaart).

According to Bergh’s definition of this genus (Siboga, Exp. Opisthob.

1905, p. 188, and elsewhere) the hermaphrodite gland is separate from

the liver.

“ Glandula hermaphrodisiaca a hepate discreta .”

Though this can be said of many of the species already examined

anatomically, it is not strictly true of all, e.g., T. crocea. But of the

present species it is not true at all, and the generic definition must

be modified. Still, even in this form the structure of the herma¬

phrodite gland is appreciably different from that usual in the Dorididce

and less diffuse. It forms not a larger spread over the liver, but two

thick coils of varying shape and length attached to the anterior and

under surface of the liver. We should, I think, say that Trevelyana

is characterized by having a more or less concentrated hermaphrodite

gland, which sometimes takes the form of coils or flat lumps on the

surface of the liver and sometimes of one or more masses (generally

globular) separate from it.

Trevelyana ceylonica (Kelaart).

See Kelaart, Ann. and Mag. of Nat. Hist., 3rd Sei\, Voh I.,

pp. 257-8, 1858 ; c/. Bergh on T. rubromaculata in Siboga Expeditie,

1905, Opisthob. p. 189-91.

Pour specimens from Trincomalee of much the same size : length

about 30 mm., height 15 mm., breadth 12 mm. With them is

preserved some spawn , resembling a piece of string 3 mm. thick and

loosely coiled. It has a coarsely granulated appearance , owing to the

yellowish egg packets arranged within it, so that three or four lie in a

transverse section. They each contain several eggs.

The skin is soft and smooth, but here and there, especially near the

tail, there are raised tubercular spots. The general shape is as in

other Trevelyanas. As preserved the colour is dirty yellow, but

Kelaart describes the animal as being white in life, with red spots

on the back and red lines marking the axes of the branchiae and the

margin of the foot. The rhinophore pockets are not much raised ;

no oral tentacles are visible.

The most conspicuous feature in all the specimens is the branchial

tuft, which is very large, most of the plumes being 8 mm. high,

whereas in other species of Trevelyana these are generally not more

than 4 mm. high in animals 40-50 mm. long. In all the specimens

there are 10 large plumes set in a circle, open behind, though the

interruption is not visible. At this point there are two smaller

plumes set a little inside and nearer the anal papilla, and there are

94 SPOLIA ZDYLANIOA,

generally one or two quite small plumes set irregularly between the

large ones. Thus the total number is 13-14.

The labial cuticle is unarmed. The formula for the largest radula

is 22 X 27 + 1 ‘0*1 + 27 ; but most of the rows are considerably

shorter. The first tooth on either side of the rachis is much larger

than the others, but all have the same form, awl-shaped and erect.

In the central nervous system the ganglia are very distinct. The

cerebral and pleural portions are arranged so as to appear like the

figure 8.

The stomach extends unusually far back and is free on the upper

surface (except in one specimen), but its under surface and extreme

posterior end are covered by the liver. This latter is purplish and

so loose in consistency that it hardly answers to the definition that

the liver of the Holohepatica forms a compact mass. It opens into

the central cavity or stomach by such numerous ducts that the walls

look as if they were basket work. The hermaphrodite glands are

not separate from the liver, but in all four specimens adhere to it so

closely that the two organs are separable only with difficulty. The

details of the arrangement are not the same in all the animals,

though in all there seems to be two more or less coiled glands. In

one they form two short simple coils on the anterior part of the

liver about 6 mm. long. In another the liver has spread above the

stomach more than in the others, and bears on its anterior portion a

triangular mass of glandular coils, clearly divided into two halves

down the middle. In the remaining two specimens the hermaphrodite

glands are invisible from above, but are disposed on the lower surface

of the liver in two thick, rather complicated coils about 9 mm. long.

On the male branch of the genitalia is a very large prostate, the

interior of which is composed of numerous leaves or laminations.

Bergh also found this organ in T. alba var. pallida to be provided

cc mil star ken blattartigen F alien der Innenseite” The vas deferens

is not very long, and forms only one or two coils. The penis is thin,

cylindrical, and covered with bent spines.

I regard this animal as undoubtedly the genuine T. ceylonicM of

Kelaart. It is characterized externally by its large branchiae, and

internally by the structure of the hermaphrodite gland, which, though

variable, does not in any specimen form globules separate from the

liver. I think that Bergh’s T. rubromaculata is the same as this

species. Of the hermaphrodite gland he says, “ zwei .... Zwitter-

driisen die von Meniscus — Form waren .... am Hinterende der

Leber, an dieselbe angehaftet.” This does not quite describe the

conformation in the present specimen, but indicates that the gland

is not separate.

Doridopsis nigra (Stimpson).

Three specimens from Trincomaiee. One, about 22 mm. -long, of

a uniform jet black when alive, belongs to tlxe variety aterrima. .

NOTES ON NUDIBRANCHS.

95

The other two were black with white spots, tending to aggregate

in larger spots, and white tips to the rhinophores. No coloured

borders are mentioned or visible in the preserved specimens.

Dr. Willey thought these specimens belonged to two species, but

D'psis nigra is one of the most variable of nudibranchs, and I can

find no differences except in colour.

Doridopsis rubra (Kelaart).

For the branchiae see Eliot, in Journ. Linnaean Soc. Zool., Vol.

XXXI., 1908, pp. 118-9.

Three specimens from Trincomalee. Length of largest 35 mm.

According to the notes on the living animal, confirmed by the

appearance of the preserved specimens, two were uniformly carmine

coloured and the third blotched crimson, this effect being produced

by the diffusion of red pigment in varying intensity over a neutral

ground. In all the tips of the tentacles and the anal papilla were

whitish.

In two of the specimens the branchiae are normal. In one they

seem hardly retractile.

In the living animal the branchiae were infested by an ectoparasitic

copepod, numerous specimens of which are preserved, some still

hanging on the branchiae. When perfect it bears two or more egg

sacks at the posterior end, but one or both have been knocked off in

many specimens.

p

7(14)09

96

SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

ON A NEW MEGA SCOLEX FROM CEYLON.

By Dr. W. Michaelsen (Hamburg). .

(With figures in the text.)

GOME time ago Dr. Willey, Director of the Colombo Museum,

sent me a small lot of earthworms of small size “ character¬

ized by abundant milk-white ccelomic fluid which shows through

the body- wall during life, and when the worms are placed in spirit

issues from the dorsal pores as a flocculent precipitate.”

As the earthworm fauna of Ceylon belongs to the best known of

the tropics, I was surprised at seeing that these worms represented

a new species. This circumstance gives a new indication of the

richness of the Oligochaet fauna of Ceylon, and of our being far from

a complete knowledge of the latter.

The new species belongs to the most interesting group of

Megascolex, which forms a transition to the nearly allied genus

Notoscolex.

Megascolex Willeyi, n. sp.

Habitat.— Ceylon ; found in damp situations in low-country

forests near Dalle (Buonavista Hill) and in the Hatnapura District

(Labugama), &c.

External Characters. — Dimensions of mature specimens : — Length

40-55 mm. Greatest thickness (behind the clitellum) 2 mm.

Number of segments about 140, both in smaller and in larger

specimens. Colour of spirit specimens yellowish gray ; clitellum

brownish gray ; the colour of the living animals is chiefly white ;

it is the white earthworm of Ceylon, and one of the few species which

is instantly recognizable and can never be mistaken for any other

in the same country.

Systematic Description. — Head epilobous (J). Hinder appendix

of prostomium nearly square, open behind, separated from the

prostomium by a slight transverse furrow.

The setae are slightly enlarged at the ends of the body , the ventral

setae to a somewhat greater extent than the dorsal setae ; their

number is 8 at each segment of the anterior part of the body, begin-

ningwith the second; in the other parts of the body, nearly without

exception, there are 12 setae at each segment. Only once I found 8

setae on one side of a segment and 6, as is usual, on the other side,

making 14 in all.

NEW MEGASCOLEX.

97

At the anterior part of the body the setae are placed in regular

longitudinal rows, forming four rather wide pairs in each segment,

those of the dorsal pairs ( cd ) being somewhat, but only a little,

further apart from one another than those of the ventral pairs ( ab ),

and the latter somewhat farther apart from one another than the

neighbouring setae of both pairs (b and c). The median ventral

interspace is about twice as wide as the distance between the setae

of the ventral pair. The median dorsal interspace is about five times

as wide as the distance between the setae of the dorsal pair. The

different interspaces between the setae of the eighth segment may be

indicated by the following proportional measurement : — aa : ab : be :

cd : dd = 24 : 12 : 14 : 13 : 64. The setae of the a series are regularly

placed in two straight rows throughout the whole body. In most

of the specimens the other setae also form regular longitudinal rows

throughout the middle and posterior parts of the body, after having

increased to 12 per segment.

The somewhat varying arrangement of them majf be indicated

by the following proportional measurements taken at the twelfth

segment from the hinder end of the body : — aa : ab : be : cd : de : ef :

ft = 24 : 12 : 12 : 11 : 12 : 11 : 45 ; and again at the third segment

from the hinder end : — aa : ab : be : cd : de : ef : ff = 24 : 12 : 12 :

10 : 13 : 13 : 26. In some of the specimens examined the arrange¬

ment of the setae b, c, d , e, and / becomes irregular in the hinder

half of the body, the irregularity beginning with the dorsal rows

e and / about the middle of the body, whilst the ventral and

lateral rows b, c, and d are still regular ; these become irregular

further back. Once only I found this irregular arrangement

of the setae associated with an increase of their number as

mentioned above, eight on one side and six on the other in one

segment.

The dorsal pores are very conspicuous ; the first pore lies in the

intersegmental furrow IX. /X.

The clitellum is distinguished by its darker colour. It is ring-

shaped, and occupies the four segments XIV.-XVII. The fore

margin of the fourteenth and the hinder margin of the seventeenth

segment are often less modified than the intervening tract.

The male pores are placed in segment XVIII. in the line of setae

of the series^, if not a little lateral of this row, on each side. They

are borne at the summits of a pair of penial protuberances, which

appear to be non-re tractile. These protuberances arise by a broad

basis from the posterior half of the eighteenth segment, and have a

rather sharply pointed, nearly equilateral triangular shape, flattened

antero-posteriorly, and bent over forwards. Sometimes the pro¬

tuberances are connected with one another by a median transverse

ridge, which is also inclined forwards, and partly covers a

transverse depression occupying the fore part of the segment medio-

ventrally.

98

SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

In most cases there is a pair of small transversely oval, rather

flat, copulatory papillae at the anterior part of the eighteenth segment

in the lines of the ventral pairs of setae, i.e., somewhat medial from

the lines of the male pores. In one case there was an unpaired

median ventral papilla instead of this pair. A pair of more circular

copulatory papillae may also be detected sometimes at the nineteenth

segment in front of the ventral pairs of setae ; and in one specimen

two pairs of such papillae at the ninth and tenth segments in the

corresponding situation.

Fig. 1 . — Diagram of the anterior part of the

body of Megascolex willeyi, from the ventral side.

st marks the position of the spermathecal pores.

The female pores lie medial from the setae a of the fourteenth

segment; they may be paired or unpaired; in the latter case

median.

Two pairs of spermathecal pores occur in the intersegmental

furrows VII. /VIII. and VIII. /IX. in the lines of setae b.

Internal Anatomy. — The septa in the region of the anterior male

organs are somewhat thickened. No septum is wanting in the

region of the gizzard.

Alimentary Tract. — A large gizzard is apparently lying in the

sixth segment, but perhaps it may be in the fifth segment. No

calciferous glands could be discovered in connection with the

oesophagus.

NEW MEGASCOLEX.

99

The nephridial system is micro nephric.

Anterior Male Organs. — Two pairs of glittering sperm-duct

funnels lie ventrally in the tenth and eleventh segments ; they are

free, not enclosed in testicular vesicles. Two pairs of racemose

sperm sacs depend from the septa X./XI. and XI./XII. into

the eleventh and twelfth segments respectively. The single

“ berries ” or lobules of the sperm sac clusters are rather small and

globular.

The prostates are small, the glandular part racemose or rather

villose, with small and densely crowded glandular knobs at the

*

[

Fig. 2a. — Penial seta of

M. willeyi, slightly enlarged.

surface. The muscular duct is straight, about as long as the

glandular part, rather thick, somewhat tapering towards the ends,

nearly spindle-shaped.

Penial setee slender, about 1 mm. long, proximally 13^ thick, in

the middle about 10 y thick, distally tapering gradually, somewhat

before the distal extremity still thick. They are bent in a very

characteristic manner, arcuate below the tip. The latter is simple,

but the convexity of the arc (occupying the distal sixth part of the

seta) is beset with densely crowded transverse rows of rather

long spine-like hairs, which are nearly as long as the thickness

of the seta at this point. These rows of hairs form transverse

semicircles and are restricted to the convexity of the distal

curvature ; they diverge distalwards from the stem of the seta.

(Figs. 2 a and 26.)

100

SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

Spermathecae. — Ampulla long-stalked, pear-shaped; muscular

duct short, hardly longer than thick, just as wide as the distal end

of the stalk of the ampulla. In a superficial inspection the character

of the muscular duct can hardly be seen, the long narrow distal end

of the ampulla seeming to be part of the duct. Not until the

preparation has been made transparent by acetic acid can the rea

short muscular duct be detected. A small, shortly-stalked, sausage¬

shaped diverticulum enters the main pouch at the proximal end of the

short muscular duct. The diverticulum is about one-fourth as long

as the main pouch (ampulla plus muscular duct), and about one-

Fig. 2b. — Distal extremity

of the same seta, much enlarged.

third as thick -as the muscular duct ; it is plain externally, but its

internal structure is somewhat complicated, as may be seen in

preparations made pellucid by acetic acid. There seems to be no

central lumen, but a very great number of minute seminal chambers

filled with equally minute elliptical sperm-balls. These chambers

form a simple layer in the thick wall of the diverticulum, their fine

ducts probably uniting to form an axial duct. (Fig. 3.)

Remarks. — As said before, Megascolex willeyi is one of those

species which form a transition from the genus Notoscolex to the

genus Megascolex. The anteclitellar and clitellar parts of the body

which present a regular lumbricine arrangement of the setae, if cut

off, might be determined as belonging to a species of Notoscolex.

In this character M. willeyi resembles some Australian species, e.g.,

NEW MEGASCOLEX.

101

M. enormis, Fletcher, and M. attenuatus, Fletcher. The middle and

hinder parts of the body represent, almost without any exception,

the first step on the way to a complete perichaetine arrangement of

the setae : six pairs of setae on each segment, being that state for

which W. B. Spencer created the genus Trichceta (with six pairs of

setae per segment throughout the whole body). The next step in

the sequence from Notoscolex to the proper Megascolex is represented

Fig. 3. — Spermatheca of M. willeyi.

From an acetic acid preparation ; enlarged.

by the Ceylonese species Megascolex zygochcetus , Michaelsen, which

has six pairs of setae at the second and third segments, and a greater

number further back.

Thus M. willeyi resembles Notoscolex at the head end, Trichceta at

the tail end ; on the other hand M. zygochcetus resembles Trichceta

at the head end, the proper Megascolex at the tail end. Regarding

these relations, it must be admitted that I was justified in abolishing

the genus Trichceta , which represents only an insignificant stage in

the continuous series from Notoscolex to Megascolex .

102

SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

THE OCCURRENCE OF SOLENOSTOIVSA OFF THE

COAST OF CEYLON.

By A. Willey.

(With on© Plate.)

THE single specimen upon which this record is based was

obtained during the cruise of the steam trawler, ss. “ Violet,”

belonging to the Ceylon Company of Pearl Fishers, accompanied by

their inspection barque, to the paars south of Hutch Bay, in March,

1 909. Arrangements were made for me to take part in this cruise , the

narrative of which has been written by Mr. T. Southwell, Scientific

Adviser to the Company and Inspector of Pearl Banks, and Captain

J. C. Kerkham, Tt.N.R., Superintendent of Fisheries.*

On March 10, whilst dredging over the Nagal Paar, about five

miles north by west of Chilaw, in 9J fathoms, the dredge brought up

a quantity of brown rockweed, and in turning this over on deck,

the specimen in question was found. It is equally remarkable for

its colour, bright orange, crimson, and white, and for its form. The

markings, difficult to describe when fresh, and impossible to depict

after preservation, consisted of an orange -coloured zigzag pattern

on the head, body, and fins (except the pectorals, second dorsal, and

anal, which are colourless), bordered by crimson on a white ground.

The gill-covers were quite hyaline and the pulsating gills showed

clearly through them, the gill-arches being marked by paired white

tufts. The ventral fins were juxtaposed so as to form a brood-

pouch, which contained eggs and fry at all stages of development.

SOLENOSTOMA L ACINI ATUM.f

The head, body, and fins of the specimen are beset with simple

or branched, cylindrical or subulate papillae. These are especially

numerous over the crown of the head from before the eyes to the

base of the first dorsal fin ; they also occur, singly and in pairs, along

the crest of the snout and along the ventral side of the snout and

fore body, continuing along the edge and on the surface of the ventral

fins. They are present about the extreme end of the snout, but not

on the sides of the snout. Four pairs of long (up to 3 • 5 mm.), subu¬

late papillae are found along the hinder border of the first dorsal ;

* T. Southwell and J. C. Kerkham. Report on an inspection of those Ceylon

Pearl Banks under Government control, situated between Dutch Bay Point

and Negombo : conducted by the Ceylon Company of Pearl Fishers, Limited,

from March 4 to 17, 1909. Ceylon Marine Biological Reports, Part III., June,

1909. Colombo, 1909.

| It may be a phase or form of a previously described species.

SOLENOSTOMA.

103

others occur on the anterior border of the fin, near the ends of the

rays, at the base of the fin, and on the surface of the fin along the

lines of the rays. Similar soft dermal papillae occur on the elevated

basal portions of the second dorsal and anal fins, but not on the free

portions of these fins nor on the pectoral fin. Finally a few small

papillae are found on the caudal fin, the free border of which, like the

first dorsal and the ventrals, is laciniate. Some of the papillae are

compound, bifid, or trifid. Sometimes they are visibly constricted

at the base, indicating that they are deciduous ; some were found

loose in the tube which contained the specimen.

The general surface of the body is spinose, with three longitudinal

rows of small recurved spines segmentally arranged on each side.

The spines are larger, and the three parallel rows are closer together

on the caudal peduncle. In the region comprised between the hinder

angle of the first dorsal and the front edge of the second dorsal there

Fig. 1. — S. laciniatum. Diagram showing arrangement of lateral

dermal spines and papillse between the first dorsal (ID)

and the second dorsal (HD) fins.

are twelve spines in the dorsal row, seven in the central row, and

twelve in the ventro -lateral row. Following close upon four of the

spines in the central row are to be found, on each side of the body,

four large dermal papillse (see diagram).

The colour markings, after preservation, appear as an irregular

labyrinthine network formed by anastomosing tracts of dark con¬

tracted pigment cells, both on the snout and on the body. When

alive, as stated above, the predominant colour was brilliant scarlet

with orange marbling. The pectoral, second dorsal, and anal fins

are absolutely hyaline — a condition which conspires with the general

scheme of colouration and laciniation to produce harmonious relations

with the environment. This fact is not brought out in published

figures.* It renders the essential organs of locomotion chro¬

matically non-existent, and comparable in this respect with the

condition met with in the “ Leaf Fish,” the yearling stage of the

* Cf. Playfair and Guenther. The fishes of Zanzibar. London, 1866, p. 137,

PI. XX., figs. 2 and 3 (/S', cyanopterum) .

Q

7(14)09

104

^POLIA ZEYLANICA.

so-called uSea Bat,” Platax vespertilio , whose chromatic reactions

differ materially from those of the adult stage o£ the same species.*

The vivid colours of Solenostoma, which contrasted strongly with

the brown seaweed amidst which the specimen was living, belong to

the category of warning colours, and combine with its other charac¬

ters to make the animal look like anything except a fish. Kaup

pronounced it to be “ one of the strangest forms to be found in the

whole class of fishes.” Perhaps it resembles a brightly-coloured

sponge when at rest in its natural surroundings.

Next to the colour and the form, the most salient characteristic

of the specimen is afforded by the presence of the numerous dermal

appendages which I have described. These are not mentioned in

Dr. Guenther’s Catalogue,! but they are referred to in Kaup’s earlier

Catalogue,! where a solitary tassel is shown on the lower side of the

snout in the figure which he gives ; and in the text he states that

“ some of the specimens have little skinny tags round the mouth

and rostral tube, as represented in Pallas’s figure.” Pallas’s

species was S. paradoxum from Amboyna ; Bleeker’s first species was

S. cyanopterum from Zanzibar and East Indies. The catalogue

descriptions seem to convey no differences between these species which

are outside the range of normal variation ; on the contrary they agree

in the striking characters of the ocellation of the first dorsal fin and

the abbreviation of the caudal peduncle. There is a very distinct

named species, S. brachyurum, Bleeker, but Dr. Guenther doubts its

validity. It is for the sake of the local interest that I present the

first member of the Solenostomidse from Ceylon waters § under the

name S. laciniatum.

The first dorsal fin is 5-rayed, and is marked by two long black

ocelli between the first three rays, as in other species of the genus. In

the second dorsal I count 21 rays, in the anal 20, and in the ventrals

7, the three uppermost ventral rays bifurcated. The ventrals are

concrescent with the body-wall along the whole length of their upper

border, and they are connected together below by a membrane

extending for about one-fifth the length of the lowest rays. The

two fins are thus held together like apposed hands, and the pouch so

formed contains embryos in all stages of development, both before

and after hatching. The eggs are supported upon stalked discs,

which are borne at the ends of a ramifying system of dermal processes

arising from the inner surface of the pouch. (PI. I., fig. 1.)

The eyes are surrounded by a circlet of small subulate papillae,

and a row of spines occurs at the base of the rostrum below and in

* See Spol. Zeyl., II. , 1305, pp. 51-5, and Nature, Vol. 80, 1909, p. 247.

t A. C. L. G. Gunther. Catalogue of Fishes in Brit. Mus., VIII., 1870, p. 150.

X J. J. Kaup. Catalogue of Lophobranchiate Fish in Brit. Mus., 1856, p. 2.

§ S. cyanopterum from Cargados Carajos in 20-30 fathoms, and S. paradoxum

from the Maldives, Mulaku, 27 fathoms, are recorded by C. Tate Regan in

Rep. on Marine Fishes collected by Mr. J. Stanley Gardiner in Indian Ocean,

Trans. Linn. Soc. ZooL XII., 1908, p. 221.

SOLENOSTOMA.

105

front of the eyes. A triradiate osseous flange occurs on the basis

of the pectoral fin, consisting of the sector of a circle and three radii

meeting at a point ; there is a spine with a papilla at the end of each

radius and at the point of intersection of the radii. (Fig. 2.)

The total length from the tip of the snout to the end of the middle

caudal rays is 81 mm. ; to the base of the caudal fin, 65 mm. ; length

of snout (from anterior border of eye), 20 mm. ; height of snout in

the middle of its length, 3 mm. ; length of base of second dorsal,

about 6 • 5 mm. ; length of caudal peduncle from the end of the second

dorsal to the base of the middle caudal ray, about 7 mm.

Fig. 2. — Surface view of the basis of a pectoral fin, showing the

appearance of the dermal scute and papillae.

The drawings of eggs and larvse on Plate I. bring out the fact,

mentioned above, that the brood-pouch contains eggs and young

at very different stages of development. This is unusual amongst

brood-nursing fishes, and is obviously connected with the circum¬

stance, first ascertained by Dr. Guenther,* that in the case of the

Solenostomidse it is the female which carries the eggs during the

period of incubation, whereas in the allied family of the Syngnathi-

dse the male performs this office ;f but the pouch of the female

Solenostomid is not homologous with that of the male Syngnathid.

The clear eggs in the pouch measure about half a millimetre in

diameter ; the developed eggs 1 mm. The embryo grows to such a

length that its body becomes twice wound round the amber-coloured

yolk ; and the eyes become darkly pigmented while still within the

egg-membrane. The hatchling (Fig. 3) possesses a pair of small

pectoral fins, but no ventrals ; the head is bent at right angles to the

body, its lower surface being attached to the front wall of the yolk-

* Op. cit. (Fishes of Zanzibar).

•j* Dr. G. Duncker (Syngnathiden-Studien. Jahrb. Hamburg. Wissensch.

Anstalten, XXV., Beiheft 2, 1908, p. 63) states that in several species of Syng-

nathus and Hippocampus a rudimentary brood-pouch appears as a rather

frequent abnormality in female individuals. This work should be consulted

for data relating to variation in number of rays in the dorsal fin, in the pro¬

portion of height to length of the snout, and in other characters of the genu*

Siphonostoma.

106

SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

sac. In the next stage (Fig. 4) the head is released from the yolk-

sac, and is beginning to bend forwards. In the following stage the

head has nearly attained its definitive horizontal position and the

elongation of the snout has commenced ; at the same time there is a

characteristic gular projection below (Fig. 5). In the latest stage

seen by me (Fig. 6) there are still no ventral fins, and the embryonic

median fin-fold retains its normal proportions. The segmental

papillae, already present in the hatchling, are now very distinct.

I observed two rows on each side, a dorso-lateral and a ventro -lateral

row ; in the example figured there were 31 dorso-lateral papillae ;

between the vent and the caudal expansion of the embryonic fin

there were 13 dorso-lateral and 13 ventro -lateral papillae. The first

dorso-lateral papilla lies behind the humeral arch, the first ventro¬

lateral over the pyloric complex. These segmental papillae are

present in other larval or post-larval Lophobranchiate fishes, and do

not correspond with the laciniations of the adult fish,* of which

there is no trace at this stage ; their position near the dorsal and

ventral ends of the myotomes may correspond with the distribution

of the rami cutanei dor sales and ventrales respectively, and if this is •

so they could be regarded as segmental receptors.

The cartilages of the head can be seen with great clearness through

the transparent integument (Fig. 6). Their disposition accords in

general with that of larval pipe-fishes, f A marked feature of the

larvse of Solenostoma is the apparent occlusion of the branchial

apparatus so far as the external view is concerned. The pigment on

the body and fin-fold is confined to small groups of cells as shown in

the figures. There is a special pigment-group at the base of the

pectoral fin, and another on the pyloric complex (Fig. 6). There is

still no sign of the definitive median fins, although the yolk-sac has

been used up.

In conclusion it may be pointed out that S. lacmiatum seems to

afford an instance of the combination of warning colouration and

protective laciniation such as is rarely met with amongst fishes.

* They correspond with the spines of the adult, at least in part,

j Cf. H. H. Swinnerton. Morphology of Teleostean Head Skeleton. Quart.

Journ. Micro. Sop,, Vol. 45, 1901, see pp. 537 and 554 and PI. 31, fig. 48

(. Siphonostoma ).

SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

Plate I.

A.W. del. ad nat

Fig. 2. C.W. del.

SOLENOSTOMA.

107

Explanation of Plate I.

Solenostoma laciniatum.

Fig. 1. — Branched dermal process from the brood-pouch, showing

stalked ovigerous discs.

Fig. la. — An egg containing an unpigmented embryo coiled once

round the yolk ; diameter, 0'7 mm. ; t, tail; op, optic vesicle ; v,

vitellus or yolk with oil globules ; au, auditory sac.

Fig. 16. — Egg containing an advanced embryo twice coiled round

the yolk, with pigmented eyes.

Fig., 2. — Sketch of the adult fish, showing the lacinise. Nat. size.

Fig. 3. — Hatchling showing pigment tracts on the body and oil-

globules in the yolk-sac ; the pectoral fin is seen above the latter.

Length 3*75 mm.

Fig. 4. — Larva at the second stage ; the head is released from the

yolk-sac. The pectoral fin was obscure in the preparation. Length,

4 mm.

Fig. 5. — Larva at the third stage. The oesophagus shows by

transparency in front of the pectoral fin, and the heart below the

oesophagus. The projection of the basibranchiai apparatus in the

gular region is normal. Length, about 4*5 mm.

Fig. 6. — Anterior end of brood-pouch larva at the fourth stage.

The outline was drawn under Zeiss 2A, cam. luc. The pectoral fin

is omitted, but its basal pigment is seen in front of the humeral arch.

1. Meckel’s cartilage.

2. Palato-pterygoid arcade.

3. Quadrate. .

4. Ethmoid.

5. Symplectic.

6. Nasal sac.

7. (Esophagus.

8. Basibranchiai muscle.

9. Heart.

10

to

12.

13.

14.

15.

16.

17.

Liver.

Bile-duct (obscure).

Front end of embryonic fin.

Intestine.

Pyloric complex.

Humeral arch.

The basibranchiai muscle is seen to be accompanied at its origin

by a transverse cartilaginous process.

108

SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

OBSERVATIONS ON THE NESTS, EGOS, AND LARVAE OF

OPHIOGEPHALSJS STRIATUS.

By A. Willey.

(With two Plates.)

OT WITHSTANDING the fact that the “ lula ” or “ murral ”

is one of the celebrated freshwater fishes of the East, and,

at least in the low- country of Ceylon, easily the first in importance

as a native source of food-supply, affording good sport and a capital

meal into the bargain, there has been no scientific record concerning

the nature and appearance of the spawn after oviposition. Such

published information as is available may be summed up in the

following quotation from Dr. Day, which has already been cited by

Dr. Theodore Gill in his article on “ Parental care among Freshwater

Fishes” (Ann. Rep. Smithsonian Inst., 1905, Washington, 1906,

p. 492) : — “ The 0. striatus of Mysore is said to construct a nest

with its tail among the vegetation near the edges of the tanks,

whilst it bites off the ends of the weeds which grow in the water.”

The first portion of this vaguely stated assertion is likely enough

to be true ; it is almost as much as to say that a human habitation

is built by hands. The second portion relating to the cutting of the

surrounding weeds does not go without saying, but it is none the

less correct, and it is a habit in which it resembles the North American

Bowfin (Amia calva), according to the observation of Drs. Jacob

Reighard and Bashford Dean. There are other similarities of

habits in regard to the position and guarding of the nests. In both

cases the small roundish clearings occur in the reedy shallows near

the margins of lakes and tanks ; and in both cases the male parent

tends the nest. Here, however, the analogy ends in essential points,

inasmuch as the eggs of Amia are scattered over the bottom of the

nest, whereas the eggs of “ lula ” float at the surface.

Before leaving this comparison, the following extract from Dr.

Dean’s paper on the habits and breeding of Amia, published in the

Fourth Annual Report of the Commissioners of Fisheries, &c., of

the State of New York, dated 1898, will be useful : — “ The eggs

are scattered over the nests thickly , in number varying from a few

hundreds to possibly a hundred thousand. A single male tends the

nest, keeps away intruders, and by vigorous breathing produces a

current of water which probably retards the growth of fish fungus.

The fish stands guard, sometimes for hours motionless, save for its

movements in balancing and breathing ; at other times it appears

restive, turning about in the nest, making short detours, and return-

LARVAE, ETC., OF OPHIOCEPHALUS STRIATUS. 109

ing by the runway which it provides. A favourite position is for the

fish to lie in the runway with its head projecting over the nest. It

usually remains in the shaded side of the nest, but appears occa¬

sionally in bright sunlight, so that it can be seen quite a distance

away.”

The similar habits of “ lula ” and the existence of runways to and

from the nests are known to some of the natives of this country, who

utilize the knowledge for the purpose of capturing the fish during

the breeding seasons. They say that whilst watching over its eggs

and fry, “ lula ” will not take the bait and can only be caught by the

kuda. This is a small basket of deep conical form and wide mesh,

about 20 inches long, ending blindly at the narrow end, opening

like a funnel at the wide end, just large enough to receive the body

of the fish, which, once inside, cannot withdraw. At Minneriya

these lula-kudu are made by a cunning old descendant of the Veddas,

named Sirataweli, and they are also used at Topawewa. (Text

figure.)

On February 21 last Sirataweli accompanied me, wading through

part of Minneri tank, in search of nests of “ lula.” Five nests were

found, of which two were empty, two others contained a swarm

of fry in each, while one contained floating eggs and very young fry

intermingled with Lemna and with fragments of vegetation detached

from the neighbouring plants and likewise floating on the top.. One

of the nests containing a swarm of fry, situated behind, a tussock

of grass under the shade of some bushes, apparently belonged to

“ madaru” or “ mada-karaya ” (0. punctatus), and not to “ lula.”

On May 28 a man brought some “ lula ” eggs to me, which he had

taken from a nest amongst the rushes in the Hunupitiya arm of the

Colombo Lake. I waded out to this nest and again saw the charac¬

teristic translucent golden yellow or amber-coloured eggs, some

newly hatched, spread like a sheet, flush with the surface in a sub-

circular area behind a tussock of rushes which partly served to

filter the direct rays of the sun. Amongst and around the eggs

were scattered the usual detached fragments of herbage, consisting

chiefly of small leaves of aquatic plants. I did not see the adults,

but the man said that both parents had been near the nest, the

smaller of the two aggressively protecting it ; he called this one

the female, possibly not knowing that amongst fishes the male is

smaller than the female.

At a little distance from the ‘ ‘ lula ” nest just described there was a

swarm of “ mada-karaya” fry. A few days later (June 3) another

batch of the same kind of eggs was brought to me from Hunupitiya, but

the finder said that they were “ mada-karaya ” eggs, and he brought

a dead fish of this species along with him to prove his point. They

had the same diameter, about 1*25 mm., as the “ lula ” eggs, and the

subsequent stages were those of the development of “ lula.” I con¬

clude therefore that I have not yet seen the spawn of ‘ ‘ mada-karaya,”

Vedda trap for nesting lula, in use at Minneriya. About one-third natural size.

LARViE, ETC., OF OPHIOOEPHALTJS STRIATUS.

Ill

and do not know for certain whether the eggs of this species float at

the surface like those of “ lula,” or whether they lie at the bottom

like those of most other freshwater fishes. I hope to clear up this

point at an early date.

On June 1 still another lot of ‘ 4 lula” eggs was brought in from

Welikada, near the toll-bar on the road to Kotta near Colombo.

The material upon which this paper is based has thus been derived

from four broods, namely, one from Minneriya, two from Hunupitiya,

and one from Welikada.

The floating eggs of e 4 lula ” owe their buoyancy to the presence of a

single large oil-globule which occupies the greater part of the ovum

and is immersed in the golden yellow yolk (PI. II., Fig. 1). It is

adjacent to the upper pole of the egg, and in surface view under a

low power of the microscope is seen to be surrounded by a narrow

zone of the yolk, the whole being contained within a space bounded

by the vitelline membrane (Fig. 2). As the eggs lie immediately

below the surface film of water exposed to the quickening influence

of air and sun, the intra vitelline or embryonic development goes

forward rapidly ; although I have not been able to time this period

accurately it would appear that hatching takes place within three

days after oviposition, and perhaps within twenty-four hours.

From the condition represented in Fig. 1 , as seen with a simple lens

at 5.30 p.m., we reach overnight the stage shown in Figs. 3 and 4,

where the body of the embryo encircles about two-thirds of the yolk

like a belt. The surface view (Fig. 4) shows that while the head is

still appressed to the yolk, the tip of the tail is becoming folded off ;

the eye and auditory vesicle are also present.

A few hours later the heart begins to beat and the tail to twitch.

The orientation of the embryo is constant, the left side being upper¬

most when viewed from the upper pole of the egg (Figs. 4 and 5).

The movements of the tail soon lead to the rupture of the vitelline

membrane and the liberation of the embryo ; and now commences

the larval period of development The eggs retain their glistening

oily golden yellow lustre up to the moment of hatching, but before

this event the outlines of the future pigment cells can be seen upon

the surface of the yolk under the microscope. The pigment does

not become obvious until some hours after hatching.

The general appearance of a young first day “ lula ” hatchling is

shown in Fig. 6. It measures 3*5 mm. in length ; the microscope

only reveals very faint pigmentation, and the eyes are destitute of

pigment. There is a wonderful yolk-sac circulation ; the anterior

cardinal vein is seen issuing from the head behind the auditory

vesicle and passing across the front part of the yolk-sac to join the

sinus venosus. The caudal vein pours its blood into the subintes-

tinal system, which is joined by the posterior cardinal vein at the

level of the angle contained between the projecting yolk-sac and

r 7(14)09

112

SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

the hind-body. The blood in at least the hinder moiety of the

posterior cardinal vein flows backwards into the subintestinal vein

in conjunction with the caudal circulation — a fact which I have

repeatedly observed in other fish larvae as well as in “ lula. ”

For three days after hatching the larvae remain at the surface of

the water, resting on one side with the yolk-sac up. When they

swim they sway and rotate irregularly, sometimes apparently

spinning round. The network of stellate cells over the yolk-sac

soon darkens and forms a pigment reticulum, and pigment begins to

appear in the eyes on the first day, but, as I have already mentioned,

at the time of hatching the eyes are clear and devoid of pigment.

In fact, throughout a great part of the first day after hatching, the

spawn presents the same appearance as it did before hatching, and

only closer inspection reveals that the yolk-laden larvae have

escaped from the egg-membranes. First day hatchlings are thus

distinguished as unpigmented or clear “ lula” surface hatchlings.

Second and third day hatchlings are called pigmented “ lula ”

' surface hatchlings. They measure 4 * 5 mm. in length. Whereas in

the very young hatchling the caudal vein passes in toto alongside the

hind-gut into the subintestinal system (Fig. 6), it is now seen to

give rise to a capillary system which is joined by the posterior

cardinal vein and discharges into the subintestinal vein behind

and below the yolk-sac (Fig. 7). Connected with this and with the

anterior vessel shown in Fig. 6 there is a marvellous yolk-sac circula¬

tion, forming a perfect system of capillary irrigation. During the

early days of larval life, neither the aorta nor the caudal vein extends

backwards as far as the end of the notochord, but the former opens

directly into the latter behind the free end of the septum, which

otherwise separates the two vessels at this stage ; and the point of

confluence lies some distance in front of the end of the notochord.

About the twelfth day after hatching the vessels are carried farther

backwards, and a capillary network forms in the caudal fin beyond

and below the tip of the notochord (PI. III., Fig. 11). Larvse

of the second day no longer have the clear eyes of the first day,

for the eyes now contain black pigment. Another striking new

character of this stage is the first appearance of the pectoral fins

as rudimentary buds in situ above the yolk-sac.

By the third day the length is slightly increased, about 5 mm.,

the pigmentation is intensified, and the mouth is open. Besides

the uniform layer of pigment over the yolk-sac, stellate cells are

distributed over the myo tomes, especially along their upper and

lower borders, and a thin fine of cells occurs along the centre of the

dorsal and ventral embryonic fins, which at this stage show an equal

amount of pigment. On this day indications of the air-sac appear,

the pectoral fins begin to flap, and respiratory movements commence.

The larvse still rest at the surface when not swimming, and are

incapable of resting at the bottom.

LARVJE, ETC., OF OPHIOCEPHALUS STRIATUS.

113

On the fourth day the larvae have attained a length of 6*75 mm.

They are now leaving the surface and swimming freely at all levels ;

bright yellow spots appear over the eyes. The hinder extremity of

the notochord is still straight, but the embryonic fin has exchanged

the vacuolated structure of the preceding days for a fine radiate

striation. The sides of the body are free from pigment, and are

consequently traversed by a pale longitudinal band parallel with

the notochord. There is also a more or less interrupted pale band in

the middle dorsal line of the fore-body, in front of the embryonic fin.

There is a faint massing of embryonic tissue below the hinder end of

the notochord, a little before its extremity. This is the primordium

of the caudal fin-ray system.

The fifth day shows no increase of length. The caudal pigment

is increasing, though still diffuse, and the caudal primordium is

becoming denser. On the sixth day the length is found to exceed

7 mm., and there is a further slight concentration of pigment and

embryonic tissue.

On the seventh day, still with a length of about 7 mm., we find

the first traces of the basal cartilages of the caudal rays, situated

below the free straight end of the notochord at the point where the

myotomes or muscular segments cease. The rudiments of three

cartilages can be made out, but the caudal pigment, which has a

peculiar relation to the formation of the fin- rays, is still diffuse.

The pigment in the ventral portion of the embryonic fin is now

beginning to predominate over that in the dorsal portion of

the fin.

In the next three days I observed no increase in length, but the

caudal pigment below the end of the notochord is tending to lie in

radial streaks, marking the position of the future caudal rays ; and

the caudal capillary system makes its appearance.

On the twelfth day (Fig. 11) the end of the notochord begins to

bend up, and the caudal rays begin to show ; there is still no further

increase in length ; on the contrary, as the tissues and cavities of the

body begin to expand, there is a very slight decrease in length to be

noted, from about 7 mm. to about 6*75 mm., this length being

maintained to the end of the fifteenth day. Incidentally I noted

the fact that the twelfth day larvae were not rising to the surface

of the water to take the air. Up to this time the body of the larva

has been colourless, except for the black pigment. On the fifteenth

day some of the more advanced larvae display a pronounced yellow

ground colour associated with a further condensation of the black

cells. The contour of the caudal fin at this period is shown in

Fig. 11.

There is now a gap in my observations until the twenty-fifth day,

the fry having been kept meanwhile within a small enclosure in a glass

tank. The embryonic median fins are still continuous (Fig. 12) ;

the ventral portion of the embryonic fin, from which the anal fin

114

SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

arises, is much more highly pigmented than the dorsal portion ;

neither of them shows any trace of secondary rays. The fascicula-

tion of the primary caudal rays (i.e., the striations), which was

foreshadowed on the fifteenth day in some individuals, has made

further progress, but I noted that the developing secondary caudal

rays were not yet provided with the basal prongs by which they

subsequently become articulated with the cartilages, nor had they

become transversely jointed.

Larvae preserved on the twenty-eighth day after hatching varied in

length from 8*5 to 10 mm., with ten to twelve caudal rays, of which

the larger are jointed and provided with a pair of basal prongs astride

of the basal cartilages (Fig. 13). The caudal fin-rays all lie below

the upturned end of the notochord ; they consist of two groups,

upper and lower, separated by a special notch in the basal cartilage,

through which the blood is transmitted to the caudal capillary

system (Fig. 13). The fin-rays are controlled by special divaricator

muscles (not shown in the figure), which arise from the skeletogenous

tissue below the notochord at its point of flexure, and can

be traced to the ends of the radial prongs, the fibres which supply

the upper group passing obliquely upwards parallel to the

notochord.

Larvae thirty-seven to forty days old vary in length from 10 to

13 mm. The length bears no direct proportion to the bulk, since a

larva of 13 mm. has at least twice the bulk of one of 10 mm. This is

the transition period from the larval to the postlarval phase of growth.

At 10 mm. there are still no external rudiments of the ventral fins, but

these appear when the larva has attained the length of 10 • 25 mm.

They arise in situ a short distance behind the plane of the pectoral

fins and far in front of the vent, as minute buds close to the middle

line of the abdominal surface. The embryonic fins are still continu¬

ous, but a shallow constriction, both above and below, separates

the future definitive dorsal and anal fins from the caudal fin, the

intervening portions of the embryonic fin in the region of the caudal

peduncle undergoing reduction and degeneration, accompanied by

the appearance of vacuoles in their substance (Fig. 14). The

primordial formative tissue of the dorsal and anal rays has now

invaded the corresponding parts of the embryonic fin, obscuring the

striations, leaving a peripheral rim free, where the primary striations

are clearly visible. The anal rays appear in the middle of the

substance of the fin, separated by an interval from the basal line

and surrounded by dense pigment. The dorsal rays arise from the

basal line (Fig. 14), and the pigment is sparse.

The larvae are now swimming near the bottom of the shallow

aquarium in which they have been reared and come to the surface

to take in air. On the twenty-eighth day a larva gulped the air once

a minute, eight times in eight minutes, each time leaving a small

air-bubble at the surface.

LARVAE, ETC., OE OPHIOCEPHALUS STRIATUS.

115

As already indicated, the fortieth day after hatching maybe taken

to mark approximately the end of the larval development, in so far

as this is denoted by the condition of the fins (Figs. 15 and 16).

As soon as the fin-rays are properly laid down and their outlines

darkened by pigment, the amount of pigment in the dorsal and anal

fins becomes equalized. The other characters at this stage are the

broad yellow lateral stripe ? a short yellow band in front of the

dorsal fin culminating in a shining golden occipital spot, and a

golden ‘yellow mark over each eye.

The subjoined table gives a summary of the chronological data

which I have been able to ascertain regarding the external features

of the development of Ophiocephalus striatus : —

Days after

Hatching. Total Length.

Principal Events.

1

2 & 3

4

7

12-15

28

37

40

. . 3*5 mm.

. * 4 * 5 to 5 mm. . .

6 ‘75 mm.

. . 7 mm.

6*75 mm.

8-10 mm.

10 m.m.

. . 10*25-13 mm. . .

Yolk-sac circulation established ;

pigment cells develop their black

colouration ; pigment begins to

appear in eyes.

Pectoral fins arise ; mouth opens, and

respiratory movements commence.

Larvae leaving the surface and swim¬

ming freely at all levels. Bright

yellow spots over eyes.

Larvae swarming and turning in unison

at the slightest concussion. Caudal

cartilages appear.

Posterior end of notochord bends up.

Caudal rays jointed and articulated

with the basal cartilages. Larvae rise

to surface to take air.

Primordia of dorsal and anal rays.

Rudiments of ventral fins appear.

Dorsal and anal fins separating from

caudal.

63

73

17 mm.

. . 25 mm.

The fry now hide in the mud.

With reference to the above it is to be noted that after the absorp¬

tion of the yolk about the fifth day after hatching, when the larvae

begin to feed independently, the daily growth begins to vary ; and

the variation is probably the greater on account of the larvae having

been reared in captivity. It has been similarly noticed that in the

case of the trout, larvae of equal ages occur in very different stages

of development.* Only one larva was examined on the thirty -

seventh day. The striking increase in length to the extent of a

* Compare E. Goeppert. Die Entwicklung des Pankreas der Teleostier ,

Morph. Jalirb., XXI., 1893, p. 90.

116

SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

millimetre between tlie first and second days is normal and

noteworthy.

On July 28 a swarm of ‘ ‘ lula ” fry was found close to the bank in a

part of the Colpetty arm of the Colombo Lake. They were inces¬

santly streaming to and from the surface, and their presence in the

thick water was made manifest by this action. They were coloured

a soft reddish brown or brown and pink, quite different from the

black and yellow of ££ madaya ” fry (0. punctatus ) of the same size.

Their total length (including the caudal fin) varied from about 15

to about 17 mm. — a size which corresponds with the dimensions of

larvae which I have reared in an aquarium for sixty-three days after

hatching. The general colour-effect is dominated by a broad lateral

reddish orange band occupying almost the entire height of the

myo tomes, commencing from the eye on each side, and ending behind

with a rounded edge at the base of the caudal fin concentric with the

terminal contour of the latter. The iris is golden with a red flush ;

there is a bright golden occipital point ; and the basis of the anal

fin is dense black along its whole length. The colour of the fry is

essentially that which it had acquired at half the size ; and it retains

this colour until it has doubled the size, after which the definitive

markings begin to appear.*

On the same occasion (July 28) I obtained a sample of “madaya”

fry of the same general dimensions as the “ lula” fry from a neigh¬

bouring muddy swamp. Instead of the reddish brown sub translucent

ground colour of the £ £ lula ” fry, the £ £ madaya ” fry are characterized

by a blackish ground colour, upon which the bright golden yellow

bands stand out clear, namely, a pair of lateral bands about half the

width of the £ £ lula ” bands, occupying the central third of the height

of the myotonies and ending behind in a point extending about

one- third of the length of the caudal fin into the substance of the fin.

Along the length of the back is a golden yellow line running along the

basis of the dorsal fin, and presenting a more or less distinct interrup¬

tion in the occipital region in front of the fin at the spot where there is

a minute golden speculum in ‘ £ lula. 5 ’ Besides all this , the £ £ madaya ”

fry present a clear yellow spot on the snout and do not possess the

black basis of the anal fin. The postlarval stage of ££ lula ” is thus

easily distinguishable from the postlarval ££ madaya.” Moreover,

at this stage the median fins have completed their differentiation

from the embryonic matrix. £ £ Lula ” and £ £ madaya ” fry of 17 mm.

exhibit the following differences in respect of their median fin-rays

and lateral bands : —

££ Lula ” . . D 47, A 30, Lat. band 1 *20 mm. wide.

££ Madaya ” . . I) 30, A 20, Lat. band * 60 mm. wide.

* A. Willey. Fishery observations. Spol. Zeyl., V., 1908, p. 145 et seq. I

take this opportunity of correcting the name of a protozoon referred to in this

note as Blepharisma. It should have been Loxodes .

LARViE, ETC. , OF OPHIOCEPHALUS STRIATUS. 117

General Considerations.

So far as I am aware no other instances of eggs of freshwater

fishes floating at the surface of the water by their own buoyancy

have been described hitherto. The same advantages, namely,

direct proximity to atmospheric air and to sunlight, are partly

secured in other ways, as by attachment to aquatic plants or by

deposition in very shallow water. The floating eggs of Ophioce-

phalus striatus , with their accompaniment of small fragments

detached from the surrounding plants, such as cut pieces of tank

weed, leaves, and lengths of cut stem, rather invite comparison with

the floating nests of Gymnarchus which were described by the late

J. S. Budgett.* He found these nests amidst the dense grasses of

a West African swamp floating at the surface in three to four feet of

water ; the deepest part of a nest was only about six inches below

the surface ; in it “ were deposited about a thousand large spherical

amber-like eggs 10 mm. in diameter. The eggs hatched five days

after being laid, and in eighteen days a thousand young fry of

Gymnarchus niloticus left the nest,” having in this short time attained

a length of three inches.

In the same flooded grass-lands Budge tt frequently found “ masses

of white foam floating on the surface of the water.” These proved

to be the foam-nests of another fish, Sarcodaces , a member of a

family, the Characinidse, which is not represented in Ceylon. Thej/

were filled with numerous transparent ova, 2\ mm. in diameter ; on

hatching, the larvae “ make their way through the foam in which

they are laid, down to the surface of the water, and there the young

larvae hang, holding to the surface of the water by a large adhesive

organ situated on the front of the head.” There is no adhesive organ

in the young larvae of Ophiocephalus striatus, but all the same they

are kept at the surface by the extraordinary buoyancy of the yolk-

sac, and in due time they strike out from the surface to the bottom ;

whereas the hatchlings of most freshwater fishes strike out from

the bottom towards the surface.

Thus the larva of Ophiocephalus differs from that of Sarcodaces in

the absence of a frontal cement organ, and from that of Gymnarchus

in the absence of external gills. Like the Mormyridse, the family

to which Gymnarchus belongs, and the Characinidse, the Ophioce-

phalidse is a characteristic family of tropical freshwater fishes whose

morphology is better known than their bionomics ; and the present

contribution, with others which are to follow, will show how much

remains to be done upon the subject which was so successfully and

tragically inaugurated by Budgett.

* J. S. Budgett. On the breeding habits of some West African fishes.

Trans. Zool. Soc. London, XVI., 1901. Reprinted in the Budgett Memorial

Volume, edited by J. Graham Kerr, Cambridge Univ. Press, 1907, pp. 119-30,

plates and text-figures.

118

SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

There are several other points with regard to which comparisons

with other forms may be both instructive and interesting. The

simple ventral flexure of the embryo of Ophiocephalus , the absence

of retinal pigment within the egg, and the formation of the pectoral

fins after hatching, are facts to be noted as contrasting with what

occurs in the development of many other Teleostean fishes. The

later appearance of the ventral fins is the rule amongst bony fishes.*

In the two Dipnoan fishes, Lepidosiren and Protopterus, the paired

limbs arise simultaneously ; in the former thirteen days after hatch¬

ing ; f in the latter, according to Budge tt, the rudiments of the limbs

begin to show about the third day after hatching, and by the tenth

day after hatching the larva is provided with well -developed limbs. J

On the other hand, in the Australian Dipnoan genus Ceratodus,

according to Semon’s observations, § the ventral fins appear about a

month later than the fore-limbs, approximating in this respect to

what I have described above for Ophiocephalus. In this connection

it is interesting to note that in the genus Channa , which also belongs

to the Ophioceplialidse and occurs in Ceylon, the ventral fins fail to

put in an appearance throughout life.

As described above, the development of the definitive caudal rays

of Ophiocephalus is marked by a succession of phases : firstly, the

proliferation of primordial or formative tissue below the posterior

end of the notochord ; then the formation of a capillary plexus ; the

development of basal cartilages and the fasciculation of the primary

striations ; lastly, the appearance of the basal prongs. The actual

rays thus arise peripherally or centripetally ; and this relation

appears to be more pronounced in the case of the anal rays (Eig. 14).

An analogous peripheral origin of fin-rays has been described by J.

Schmidt in the pelagic larvse of the marine salmonoid fish, Argentina

situs , where at a stage of 28-32 mm. in length, the primordia of the

dorsal and anal interspinous rays appear nearly half-way between

the contour of the body and the outer border of the embryonic fin ,

without direct connection with the body. At a length of 39 mm. the

fin-rudiments touch the margin of the body.|| The general ontogeny

of the median fins of Ophiocephalus resembles that described and

figured by Assheton for Heterotis niloticus .^[

The rhythmical darts to the surface for the gulping of air by the

28-day larvse of Ophiocephalus is paralleled by the larvse of Gym-

narchus , although the latter are burdened by an enormous pendent or

F. M. Balfour. Comparative Embryology , 2nd edit., 1885, Vol. II. , p. 80.

f J. G-. Kerr. Development of Lepidosiren paradoxa. Phil. Trans. R. Soc. ,

London, Vol. 192, 1900, p. 316.

$ J. 8. Budgett. Op. cit. PI. VIII., figs. 12-13, p. 127.

§ R. Semon. Forschungsreise ; quoted from Kerr, loc. cit.

|| J. Schmidt. Development of the Argentines. Medd. fra Komm. Fiskeri

II., No. 4, Copenhagen, 1906.

R. Assheton. Teleostean Larvse from the Gambia River. Budgett

Memorial Vol., Cambridge, 1907, p. 439.

LARViE, ETC., OF OPHIOCEPHALUS STRIATUS. H9

external yolk-sac which persists much longer than the yolk-sac of

Ophiocephalus . “ By the tenth day after hatching the larvse are

able to drag their yolk-sac to the surface of the water, when they

take a gulp of air into their lung-like swim-bladder and fall again to

the bottom, on reaching which they again start for the surface with

unceasing regularity, so that when looked at from above, the nest

of Gymnarchus , with its swarm of scarlet-bearded [referring to the

external gills], yolk-hampered larvse, presents a most amazing-

spectacle. ” (Budgett, op. cit. pp. 131-32.)

The circulation of the blood in the larvae of Ophiocephalus

conforms to the larval Teleostean type of circulation and presents

several interesting characteristics, chief among which are the direct

junction, during the early days of larval life, between the aorta and

the caudal vein ; the yolk-sac circulation which is intercalated in the

subin testinal system in a manner analogous to the relations of the

hepatic coecum in Amphioxus ; the subin testinal vein itself, which,

as was pointed out long ago by Balfour (op. cit. p. 651), recapitulates

an ancient pre-piscine organization ; lastly, the reversed current of

the posterior cardinal blood, which, instead of flowing forward

towards the heart, flows backwards to join the subin testinal system,

so that the aortic blood and the cardinal blood is seen to be flowing

in the same direction.

Lastly, it may be noted that although, as I believe, the floating

eggs of “ lula ” are unique amongst freshwater fishes, so far as the

available records go, yet they present some analogy with the eggs

of some species of marine fishes. Thus the transparent eggs of the

greater weever ( Trachinus draco), with a diameter varying from a

little less to something over one millimetre, have a single large oil-

globule and float at the surface of the sea. Four or five days after

oviposition the embryos are hatched ; and four or five days after

hatching the yolk has become absorbed. The buoyancy of the yolk-

sac causes the larvae to float helplessly in the water for some time

after hatching, with the yolk-sac uppermost.*

Practical Considerations.

The usefulness of “ lula ” as a source of food-supply for the low-

country of Ceylon, together with the fact that attention is now being

drawn to the maintenance and replenishment of the stock of fishes

in the rivers and tanks of this country, makes it incumbent upon us

to examine the practical bearing of the foregoing observations and

* J. Boeke. On the early development of the Weever Fishes. Tijdschr.

Nederland. Dierk. Ver. (2) VIII., 1903, pp. 148-57, PI. VII. I have not

seen the original paper, but it is quoted by Dr. Theodore Gill in “ Life histories

of Toadfishes compared with those of Weevers and Stargazers,” Smithsonian

Miscellaneous Collections, Quarterly Issue, Vol. III., Part 4, Washington,

1907, p. 421. A subsequent paper by Boeke on “ The later larval develop¬

ment of Trachinidse” appeared in the above-named journal, Vol. X., 1907,

pp. 245-54.

S

7(14)09

120

SPOLIA ZEYLANIOA.

others like them. In other places it is recognized that methods of

culture should be based upon a knowledge of the breeding habits of

fishes under natural conditions,* and if this point of view is accepted

locally the utility of these notes on ‘ ‘ lula 55 may be taken for granted.

The necessity of differentiating between the successive ages and

stages of the growing fish, and between fry of the same age belonging

to species which may be closely allied zoologically though far apart

economically, and the study of the conditions under which fry can

be reared best under an artificial system, are points which must

always guide cultural operations whenever they are undertaken.

The feeding of ‘ ‘ lula ” during its earlier stages is not an insuperable

difficulty, and under suitable conditions it even goes forward to a

large extent automatically. It is known that the growth of fishes is

governed directly by the food-supply. ‘ ‘ Lula ” is one of those fishes

whose size-limit is practically indefinite. The more food it receives

of the right kind, the quicker and the larger it grows. Some young

‘ ‘ lula ’’which I kept in an aquarium at my bungalow in Colombo had

an average total length of about 35mm. in February, 1908 ; 45 mm.

in July, 1908; 96 mm. in April, 1909. The series last measured con¬

sisted of six individuals ranging from 85 mm. to 1 15 mm. The latter

measurement may be taken as representing approximately the usual

growth of a yearling “ lula,” although under more favourable condi¬

tions it might reach six inches in total length from the tip of the snout

to the end of the tail fin. It will be observed that in the nine months

from July to April the young 4 ‘ lula ” more than doubled their length.

A sample of “ kavaiya ” fry, Anabas scandens, six in number, kept in

the same tank at the same time, behaved in a similar manner ; when

first measured in June, 1908, their average length was 33 4 5 mm. ; a

month later the average had increased to 41 mm. ; and in April, 1909,

it had reached 83 mm. Another tropical freshwater food- fish, which

may be introduced into Ceylon some day, namely, the Gourami

( Osphromenus olfax) , is known to attain a length of about four inches

in the first year, seven or eight in the second, and ten or eleven in

the third, after which it begins to breed. f

From what has been said above, and also from what has long been

known respecting the powers of endurance possessed by the Ophioce-

phalidae, it is obvious that, as soon as required, yearling “lulu”

could be reared with comparative ease in protected ponds, and

could be distributed subsequently as required.

The extent to which the fry of freshwater fishes depend for their

sustenance upon the aquatic larvae of mosquitoes or Culicidae is a

matter of practical moment and also of special interest at the present

* Compare Dwight Lydell. The habits and culture of the Black Bass. U.

S. Fish Comm. Bull., 1902 (Washington, 1903), pp. 39-44, PI. 8.

f See A. Willey. Ceylon Admin. Rep.. 1908. Marine Biology (including

first part of Report on Inland Fisheries).

LARViE, ETC., OE OPHIOCEPHALUS STRIATUS.

121

time, for although the little fishes called “millions” in the West

Indies, top-minnows elsewhere, are not such a universal panacea for

malaria as it has been suggested they would prove to be, yet it is

useful that renewed attention should be given to the part played by

fishes in general, by the fry of the larger fishes, and by top-minnows

in particular, in checking the natural increase of mosquitoes by

feeding upon their larvae.

Mosquito larvae too often thrive best in places to which fishes

can never have access, as in the small accumulations of chocolate-

coloured water in the crevices of jungle trees ; and even in the tanks

they favour the scum-covered water at the edge, where the vegetation

is rotting, though this of course will vary with the water-level in the

tank at a given time. An analogous case is afforded by the Colombo

Lake fly, an undetermined species of Chironomus , whose numbers

have not appreciably diminished in spite of all the precautionary

steps which have been taken during the past five or six years, due,

it must be supposed, to the fact that although their larvae are

naturally useful as fish-fodder, yet they thrive best in places which

are not otherwise attractive to insectivorous fishes. In such a case

as this the normal balance cannot be restored without the applica¬

tion of herculean methods.

Next to the microscopic Crustacea which compose the most

important source of food- supply for the young of freshwater

fishes, the larvae of mosquitoes are looked upon as the best friends

of the fish-culturist, although the mature insects are amongst our

worst enemies.* We are thus placed, often at one and the same

time, in perplexity as to how we may procure the larva3 and how

to avoid the flies. In any case, it is expedient to recognize

as beneficial those species of fishes which prey upon mosquito

larvae.

Wishing to test the selectivity of mosquitoes for different waters,

I placed two chatties side by side, one (referred to as A) containing

water rendered turbid by decaying animal matter, the other (B)

containing clear water. Two days later I took 20 culicine egg-rafts

from A, as against 1 from B. On the following day 11 more egg-

rafts appeared on A ; none on B. On the day after this, again 14

rafts were found on A, only 2 on B, the water not having been

changed in the meantime. At the same time another species was

observed to lay single eggs which adhered to the surface of chatty A

below the surface of the water close to the water’s edge. Water

containing decaying vegetable matter is equally attractive to egg¬

laden mosquitoes. Such a pronounced preference for a putrescent

nidus for the eggs on the part of insects whose feeding habits are so

highly specialized, amounts to a biochemical reaction to which the

term sapro taxis might be applied.

* Compare Dr. Emil Walter. Die Fisherei als Nebenbetrieb des Landwirtes

und Forstmannes. Neudamm', 1903, see pp. 57-62.

122

SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

Young Anabas not only consume the larvae, but will swallow the

entire egg-rafts, each comprising about 160 eggs. On June 4, ‘ ‘ lula ”

fry of the seventh day after hatching were observed to ingest a

quantity of separate white mosquito eggs floating on the surface of

the water in a glass dish. Here it may be mentioned that on the

same day about 30 « ‘ lula ” surface hatchlings from another brood were

eaten up by older “ madaya” fry. Later on it was found that the

‘ ‘ lula ’ 5 fry would approach the culicine rafts, but would not eat them ;

as soon however as the minute larvae hatched out from the eggs,

\ the fry devoured them. Since then I have fed my £ ‘ lula ” fry with

abundant mosquito larvae, without always observing the actual

process of ingestion.

Top-minnows (Cyprinodontidae) are represented in Ceylon by one

or two species of Haplochilus , of which the commonest is H. lineatus,

called “ diya pita hendeva ” in Sinhalese. They lay eggs which

become attached by glutinous threads to water plants, about as large

as ■“ lula” eggs, with pale amber-coloured yolk containing a number

of oil-globules. I have not found them so attached, but have seen

them freshly extruded in July. The vitelline membrane shows a

reticulated sculpturing, and the long adhesive threads radiate from

a centre placed near the oil-pole. The mature fish attains a length

of about H inch; the snout is flattened and shovel-shaped, adapted

for surface feeding ; the male is larger than the female, exhibiting at

the breeding season a bright golden green lustre on the scales of

the hind-body ; ventral and anal fins greenish, the latter with back-

wardly prolonged orange- coloured rays and three black basal flecks ;

dorsal and caudal fins and lower lip orange ; hind-body without the

6-8 vertical black bars which are present on the spawning female.

Maimed mosquitoes dropped upon the surface of the water are

seized and swallowed by the top-minnows. These fishes ( H . lineatus )

possess a flashing white occipital triangular spot, which can be alter¬

nately darkened and rendered invisible by the expansion of black

pigment cells, and can again flash out resplendently when these

contract. It is not phosphorescent ; I think that it acts as a lure,

but have not been able to prove that it does.

Explanation of Plates II. and HI.

Ophi omphalus striatus .

Fig. 1. — Egg with single large oil-globule, floating below the

surface film of water, as seen with a simple lens.

Fig. 2. — The same seen from the upper pole under a low power.

The small spherules inside the large globule appeared with a deep

focus, m, vitelline membrane ; v, yolk ; o, oil-droplet.

Fig. 3. — Egg seen in suspension about fifteen hours later; e,

embryo.

SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

Plate II

West, Newman, lith.

AW. del. ad nat.

OPHIO CEPHALU S .

S POL I A ZEYLANICA.

Plate III.

AJW. del. ad nat .

OPHIO CEPHALU S .

"West, Newman lith.

LARVAE, ETC., OP OPHIOCEPHALUS STRIATUS.

123

Fig. 4. — The same seen from above ; op, eye ; au, auditory sac ;

my, myotonies ; n, notochord ; t, free end of tail.

Fig. 5. — Egg five hours later, from above. The shaded portion

of the tail ( t ) shows it bent down, the dotted portion shows it in

extension, h , heart ; sp, body-cavity (splanchnocoel) ; v, yolk ;

other letters as before.

Fig. 6. — Newly hatched larva ; length 35 mm. ; eyes colourless.

pc, posterior cardinal vein joining the caudal vein to form

the subintestinal vein ; ao, aorta ; au, auditory sac containing

two otoliths.

Fig. 7. — Second day larva. Sketch of the capillary network at

the confluence of the caudal, posterior cardinal, and subintestinal

veins. The arrows above the aorta indicate the direction of the

flow of blood in the segmental parietal vessels, ao, aorta \ cv,

caudal vein ; pc, posterior cardinal vein ; int, intestine ; ys,

posterior surface of yolk-sac ; si, subintestinal vein running round

the yolk.

Fig. 8. — Third day larva ; length 5*5 mm. ; seen from below.

pf, pectoral fin ; as, dorsal air bladder seen in optical section.

Fig. 9. — Pectoral fin of third day larva. It is attached to the

body dorso-ventrally ; diameter 0 42 mm.

Fig. 10. — Pectoral fin of seventh day larva, showing primary

striations ; no fin rays ; striated basal muscles ; diameter nearly

1 mm.

Fig. 1 1. — Twelfth day larva. View of the tail end from the left

side, showing notochord bending up and a capillary formation below

it, the finely radiate structure of the embryonic fin, and its truncate

extremity ; nc, medullary tube ; nch, notochord ; cv, caudal vascular

system, diagrammatic, without distinction of artery and vein.

Fig. 12. — Twenty-fifth day larva. Tail end from the left side.

The total length of the larva was 7*5 mm. The figure illustrates the

commencing fasciculation of the caudal striations, and the basal

cartilages below the sub terminal convexity of the notochord, df,

dorsal embryonic fin ; m, muscle fibres below the notochord ; vf,

ventral embryonic fin, more highly pigmented than the dorsal.

Fig. 13. — Twenty-eighth day larva ; length 8*5 mm. End of tail

from the right side ; shows basal prongs and joints of caudal rays

and the caudal capillaries.

Fig. 14. — Thirty-seventh day larva ; length 10 mm. Posterior-

end of the body to show the commencing constriction of the caudal

fin and the primordia of the dorsal and anal rays, the latter accom¬

panied by dense pigment.

Fig. 15. — Fortieth day ; length 10 ‘75 mm. Constriction of

caudal fin progressing.

Fig. 16.-— Hinder end of another larva of the fortieth day ; length

12*5 mm. Constriction of caudal fin complete.

124

SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

NOTES.

1. Review: Indian Insect Life, a Manual of the Insects of

the Plains {Tropical India), by H. Maxwell-Lefroy, assisted by

P* Hewlett. — Published under the authority of the Government

of India for the Agricultural Research Institute, Pusa, by Thacker,

Spink & Go., Calcutta and Simla, 1909, pp. 786, with 536 text-

figures and 84 plates.

This richly illustrated volume will be welcomed by those who

take a general interest in Indian entomology. The majority of the

plates have been executed in three colour process by the Calcutta

Phototype Co., and are particularly successful, as indeed are most

of the text-figures.

Ki lt may be useful for a future edition of this attractive work to

point out that the figures of the Cetoniid beetle, Thaumastopoeus

pullus, on pp. 252 and 257, do not bear much resemblance to each

other ; and some of the diagrams are not so good, often imperfectly

explained. The differences of neuration of the wings in the dipterous

families, Trypetidse (Fruit Flies) and Ortalidse, are figured and

described on pp. 632 and 635, but as the figures are without index

letters the description is useless, except to the specialist, for whom

the book is not intended. The opposite treatment is meted out to

the diagrams of the lepidopterous wing on p. 400, where the figures

are provided with abundant index letters and numbers without

an explanatory description. The diagram of the Gryllid on Plate I.

is very poor, and that of the Mantid on the same plate is confusing.

All these are minor defects, easily remedied, which do not impair

the value of the work.

Special prominence is given to the habits, of insects in their

bearing upon agriculture, and numerous references to other sources

of information are scattered through the text. Such a work as this

is badly wanted in Ceylon ; but since many of the species, or closely

allied forms, are found in Ceylon, Mr. Lefroy’s book should satisfy

the demand here meanwhile.

On p. 431 brief mention is made of the common Hesperid butterfly,

Suastus gremius, Fabr., the Caterpillar of which feeds upon palm

leaves, It is equally the commonest skipper in Lucknow and in

Colombo. In “ Indian Museum Notes,” Vol. I., 1889-1891, p. 10,

L. de Niceville published the first record of its earliest stages. He

bred it repeatedly (often from the egg) in Calcutta, where it feeds

on the date palm. After describing the egg and larva, he goes

on to say that “ the pupa is enclosed in a rolled-up leaf, the inside

of which is lined with soft silk, out of which flies when opened a

NOTES.

125

quantity of fine white waxy powder with which the pupa is thickly

covered.”

In their 44 Notes on the Larvae and Pupae of some of the Butter¬

flies of the Bombay Presidency ” (Journ. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc.,

Vol. V., 1890, p. 370), J. Davidson and E. H. Aitken found the

same species on the coconut palm. Their account differs in some

details from that of De Niceville. According to them, “ the larva

forms a tube-cell by joining the edges of a leaf, and never leaves it.

The pupa is formed in the same shelter, which is first lined with

silk and closed at the ends.”

It seems clear that the above-named authors found nothing very

much out of the common in the larval habits of Suastus gremius ;

and it is probable that they reared the larvse in boxes on detached

pieces of leaves, not observing them when left to themselves in the

open ; while Davidson and Aitken only concerned themselves with

the latest stages.

The following notes upon the leaf-cutting caterpillar of S. gremius

were collected on the verandah of my bungalow in Colombo, from

July to September, 1908. For some time previously the eggs,

larvse, and pupae of the clicker, Elymnias fraterna , had been kept

under observation on pot-palms. This butterfly, when alighting

upon the sprays of the fan-shaped leaves in search of a likely spot

upon which to deposit a solitary egg, has the peculiarity of emitting

a loud clicking sound, like that of certain grasshoppers (Tryxalidce).

The caterpillars were prevented from becoming a pest by the common

babblers, who often broke the chain of observation.

On July 25 a new caterpillar appeared upon the same palms,

not feeding openly as does the larva of Elymnias , but making a

shelter for itself by folding over a portion of leaf and fastening it

down with a web. In this way it lives, coming out half-way to eat.

As it grows it makes larger shelters, sometimes on the same spray,

sometimes on a different one. A single caterpillar will construct

six successive shelters, the last one becoming the puparium.

When the young caterpillar has consumed the leaf -blade within

reach of its shelter, leaving the latter with the caterpillar still inside

suspended from the leaf by the midrib alone, it then forsakes its

cover, crawls along the pendulous midrib to the main leaf, and, on

reaching the latter, it turns round deliberately and bites through

the midrib at the point where it joins the body of the leaf, whereupon

the old shelter, or, as Davidson and Aitken call it, the tube-cell, falls

to the ground.

The caterpillar next sets about testing the upper surface of the

leaf, moving its head from side to side, and laying down a mat of

webbing. It then commences the construction of a new house,

biting through the leaf at a suitable distance from the apical end

of the leaf-spray. Each biological moment is sharply expressed,

the folding of the leaf-cover, the subsequent feeding and growth,

126

SPOLIA ZBYLANICA.

the departure, the ascent of the midrib, the turning round, and

the cutting of the cable. But although the chief events, which were

repeatedly observed, are remarkably constant, there is considerable

variation in detail, both as regards the order of procedure in the

construction of a shelter and in the manner of feeding. Occasionally

a caterpillar comes quite outside its house in order to feed upon a

neighbouring spray for a short time, after which it returns home.

Fig. 1 is a composite outline showing a young caterpillar, 10 mm.

long, with pale green body and orange- coloured head, engaged in the

operation of discarding its second tube- shelter. It is seen beginning

to leave the tube below, and again above, biting across the midrib.

That this was its second shelter was inferred from other observations,

the earliest tube not being noted in this instance. When first

Fig. 1. — Fiagram showing a caterpillar about to leave its tube-cell and

ascend the bare midrib ; and again on the leaf -blade, biting

across the midrib.

hatched the larvse are dark red in colour, retaining a red colour

until leaving the first tube-shelter, which is very small and easily

overlooked. A few minutes after ridding itself of its now useless

shelter, the larva shown in Fig. 1 moved along the leaf -blade and

began to lay the foundation of a new tube-cell by cutting across

one-half of the blade of the spray at a distance of about 2J inches

from the original cut end.

The usual method of forming a shelter is shown in Figs. 2-5.

In these figures the projection at the free end of the leaf -spray is

not the true apex, but it is the point where the pedicle of the previous

house was bitten off. At a distance of 2J inches from this point

a larva was seen making a curved incision across one-half of the

spray, not quite reaching the midrib. It then spun a silken strand

by repeated transverse movements of the head across the head of

NOTES,

127

the bight, preparatory to curling the leaf. An hour later a second

incision, one inch removed from the first, had been completed, a

similar strand had been spun, and the portion of the leaf between

the two cuts had been bent partially over. Each strand, fore and

Figs. 2-5.— Four stages in the formation of a tube-cell or shelter.

aft , is thickened by continual mouth-weaving ; and at the same time

each in its turn visibly shortens, so that the gradual folding of the

roof of the shelter can be watched. After another hour the hinder

t 7(14)09

128

SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

angle of the roof was in contact with the opposed blade of the leaf,

and the larva then cut out a notch at the front end (Fig. 4). This is

the commencement of the fringing of the openings of the tube which

usually takes place. Three hours later the folding was complete,

the edge of the roof was sealed down upon the blade, a notch had

been cut at the hinder border, and the larva had begun to

feed from the front opening (Fig. 5). This was the third house

in the life-cycle of this individual. On the same day another larva

built a house also 1 inch long and 1J inch from the cut end of the

leaf. After bending over the cover, it began feeding from the

opposite edge of the leaf before fringing the openings. After having-

fed, it resumed the work of shortening the trabeculae to close down

the edge of the roof. There is thus both method and variety in their

manner of working.

The larva, to which figures 2-5 refer, remained in that shelter,

feeding at intervals from both openings, for four days. Then,

having exhausted the feeding- area within reach of its domicile, it

left the latter and cut it off as described above. It then moved to

another spray and commenced its fourth house, in which it remained

for another period of four days ; at the end of this time the tube-

shelter, about 1J inch long, was suspended by a midrib-stalk 2 inches

in length. The stalk had been partly broken, the two parts held

together b}^ webbing only. The caterpillar had to pass over this

portion in order to get to the base of the stalk for the purpose of

cutting it off. It then moved to another spray, where it made the

usual floor of webbing, and began to draw the leaf-halves together

without cutting, by weaving two strands, 1J inch apart, from one

side to the other. The larva at the time of making its fifth house

is nine-tenths of an inch long, colour a milky green with dark green

dorsal line, dull whitish head and white-rimmed pygidium. A

larger feeding- area is provided for, the front strand or silken beam

of the house being laid down at a distance of 5J inches from the leaf-

end. It occupied the fifth house for twenty-four hours only, when it

quitted the shelter and cut it off as before. It then made the sixth

and last house, this time binding two sprays together. Two days

later it had disappeared, but was subsequently found on the ground

inside its tube ; it was placed in a chatty with moist earth and

leaves, and the butterfly emerged a fortnight later.

When the caterpillar has finished feeding and has achieved its

full growth and is ready to pupate, it remains in the tube which is

hanging suspended from the leaf by the bare midrib (Fig. 6) . Eventu¬

ally it bites through the fibre more or less flush with the basal end

of the tube, the latter, with the larva inside, falling to the ground,

leaving the suspending fibre attached to the leaf. The distal or

hinder end of the last nest is fringed as usual, and the tassels are held

together by webbing. The proximal or anterior end is plain, and it

is from this end that the larva projects the forepart of its body,

NOTES.

129

dragging its case along the ground after the manner of a caddis

worm. When it has found a suitable hiding place under moss or

leaves or loose earth, it seals up the front door and enters upon the

resting stage. On opening one of these pupal cases at the split end,

a dense white flocculent web , the strands of which crossed from one

Fig. 6. — The last tube-cell, in which the larva will pupate, still

suspended by bare midrib to the leaf -blade.

side to the other so as to conceal the animal, was exposed. Con¬

tinuing the opening up of the puparium, the pupa was displayed

with the head turned towards the split end and the body covered

with a dusting of white powder, which also coated the inner surface

of the puparium. The larval exuvia was lying at the bottom of the

puparium covered with a dense white deposit.

Fig. 7. — The last tube-cell has been bitten free and has fallen to

the ground. The head of the larva is seen emerging

from the open end to the left of the figure.

More free pupa cases were observed on the ground in November.

In the following January a case was noticed where the larva pupated

while still hanging on the frond of the palm. Both ends of the tube

were sealed up, and everything was complete except for the biting

off and liberation of the nest. This observation seems to point to a

greater degree of variation of instinctive habits than is usually

admitted. In all previous instances the final house was bitten off

130

SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

as described (Fig. 7). In the example figured a small tag of the

fibre by which it was suspended to the leaf is seen at the mouth of

the tube. The butterflies emerged fourteen or fifteen days after

commencement of pupation and proved to be S. gremius.

A. WILLEY.

Colombo, 1909.

2. The Colombo Crow ( Corvus splendens) — a case of the Survival of

the Fittest. — I have had occasion during six or seven years to study

the habits of this bird in the immediate neighbourhood of my house ,

the Artillery Mess , and Military Hospital on the Galle Face . The birds

here are somewhat isolated from their fellows, and five in a small

community of their own, and I have no doubt, judging by one which

has a tin ticket round its neck, five their lives in this small area and

seldom or never venture out of it. The consequence is there is a

struggle for existence, the food-supply which is limited being

constant, but the bird population having a natural tendency to

increase. It would seem that the birds themselves recognize this,

and make some attempts to regulate matters in the following way.

The normal number of eggs in a clutch is four, but I have never seen

as many as three young crows off the nest, and very rarely two ; the

almost invariable number is one. So far I never found four young¬

sters in a nest, but only two, and of these two, one is invariably larger

than the other to the extent of two-thirds, when they are quite blind

and without the vestige of a feather. When the chick is half-

fledged its dead brother or sister may be found in a mummified condi¬

tion underneath it. This shows that it does not act like the young

cuckoo by ejecting its fellows, but, either by being stronger at birth

it manages to obtain the greater portion of the food brought to the

nest, or else the parent birds deliberately feed the stronger at the

expense of the weaker, in consequence of their difficulty in obtaining

food. Whether this be the case I cannot satisfactorily determine,

and further observations are needed. I am, however, inclined to

the latter view, as we find in the case of other birds that the young

are fed in rotation, and are, generally speaking, equally robust.

N. MANDERS,

Colombo, August 10, 1909. Lieut. -Col. , R.A.M.C.

3. Pugnacity of the Drongo . — The drongos have earned for them¬

selves the name of 4 ‘King Crow ” from their habit of pertinaciously

attacking and driving off crows and other birds many times larger

and more powerful than themselves. This habit is of very common

observation ; but I have to-day witnessed, for the first time, the

NOTES.

131

mobbing of a dog by these birds. My white fox-terrier was running

about beneath a mango tree when a pair of drongos (the “ Ceylonese

white-bellied drongo,” Buchanga leucopygialis , Blyth) dashed out

and repeatedly swooped down upon the dog. They appeared to

actually flick its head at each swoop. The dog seemed to think it a

fine game, and tried to turn the tables by springing at the birds as

they passed. The pugnacious little creatures followed their enemy

for at least fifty yards beyond the tree, in which perhaps they have

their nest.

E. ERNEST GREEN.

Beradeniya, April 13, 1909.

4. Arboreal Habit of the “ Kabaragoya” (Varanus salvator,

Laur.). — In a recent number of Spolia Zeylanica a doubt is thrown

upon the tree-climbing propensities of any but very young examples

of this lizard. But some three years ago, a specimen measuring at

least three feet long was captured in a jak tree outside my labora¬

tory in the Peradeniya Gardens. It was seen to run up the tree, and

was finally noosed by a string at the end of a long bamboo at a

height of about twenty feet from the ground. This specimen was

kept in captivity for a few weeks, during which time it fed upon

frogs and young rats.

E. ERNEST GREEN.

Peradeniya, April 13, 1909.

5. Habits of Babblers. — Some years ago on coming down to early

tea one morning my appoo told me he had caught some young birds.

They were in a crate in the verandah just outside the dining room,

and I found them to be three common babblers ( Crateropus striatus),

and told the appoo to let them go. Whilst having early tea 1

noticed that three or four old birds were hopping about the verandah

with food for the young ones.

About a fortnight ago I found two young babblers in a cinnamon

bush close to my house ; they were beginning to fly, and one was

caught and killed by a cooly as I came up. I caught the other and

had it placed in a cage at an open window and watched all day.

Four grown birds were in attendance and fed it at intervals through¬

out the day. In the evening, after the crows had gone home, I put

the bird back in its nest, but it had gone the next day.

I shall be interested to know if any of your readers have observed

young babblers being fed by more than the actual parent birds.

In Legge’s “ Birds of Ceylon” 37-011 will find “ Layard writes as

follows of this bird: ‘ They are always seen in small parties, varying

from three to seven according to the number of 3;oung ones in a

132

SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

nest, which seem to remain with their parents until the period of

incubation again commences, when they separate to form families of

their own.’ ”

This does not account for the feeding of the young by more than

the parents.

In Hume’s “ Nests and Eggs of Indian Birds,” in treating of

Malacocercus canorus (Jungle Babbler), a bird presumably of similar

habits to Malacocercus striatus * and usually laying three eggs though

four are frequently found, he writes : —

“ The late Mr. A. Anderson remarked : ‘ Although one of the most

common birds in the North-West Provinces, its nidification is interest¬

ing, inasmuch as its nest (in common with that of Argya Malcolmii )

is used as a nursery for the young of Hierococcyx varius (hawk

cuckoo) and Coccystes melanoleucus (crested cuckoo).

c On June 21 last a boy brought me a nest of this species

containing eight eggs. Two, if not three, of this clutch are easily

separable from the others and are unquestionably parasitical eggs.

4 Again on July 9 I took a nest in person, which also contained

eight eggs. Seven of these are all alike and are well incubated, while

the eighth is quite fresh, and doubtless owes its parentage to one of

the above-mentioned cuckoos.

4 Strange to say, I have now another nest marked down, which

in like manner contains the same number of callow young. It is

just possible that the foster parents may have to perform double

duty in this case.

4 From the foregoing it may be inferred that Malacocercus canorus

does occasionally lay more than four eggs, or, as the birds are

gregarious even during the breeding season, it is possible that two

birds may occasionally deposit eggs in the same nest.’

The latter explanation may be the right one, as unfortunately in

neither of the above cases mentioned by me can I say how many

eggs there were originally in the nests, though at the time of their

discovery there were three and two young ones respectively only.

March 29, 1909. V. A. JULIUS.

6. Figure of Kapila at Isurumuniya Vihara , Anuradhapura. —

On the right hand side of the Isurumuniya Vihara at Anuradhapura

there is found on the face of the rock, cut in rather high relief, the

figure of a man, seated in the maharaja Ula posture (attitude of

44 kingly ease ”) and holding in one hand the halter of a horse, of which

* The Common Babbler of Ceylon was known for many years as Malaco¬

cercus striatus and the Jungle Babbler of Bengal was Malacocercus canorus .

The British Museum Catalogue and the “ Fauna of British India” now refer

these species to the genus Crateropus , Swainson, 1831.

NOTES.

133

the head only is shown. The figure represents a man of grave and

noble aspect, absorbed in thought, and apparently unconscious

of the presence of the horse ; the figures are so cut as to appear as if

occupying the mouth of a cave or recess in the rock.

The sculpture belongs to the finest period of Indian art, being-

characterized by the abstraction of form, suppression of anatomical

detail, and dignified grace which belong to the classic period of

Indian art. It may be compared in these respects with the bronze

figure of Avalokitesvara from Ceylon, figured by Mr. Ha veil in his

‘4 Indian Sculpture and Painting ” (PI. XI.), and by myself in an

article on “ Art and Yoga ” in ‘‘ Orpheus ” for June, 1909, and in

the J. R. A. S. for April of the same year. The date of the stone

sculpture, like that of the small bronze, may be about the seventh

century A.D. The object of the present note is to suggest an

identification of the Isurumuniya sculpture. No satisfactory

identification has I think been proposed.

There can, I think, be little doubt that the figure represents the

sage Kapila. The story is given in the Balakanda of the Ramayana.

Briefly, it runs as follows : —

King Sagara of Ayodha had sons by his wives, one son by one

and sixty thousand by the other. The gods were angered by their

violent and unruly behaviour. Sagara engaged in a horse-sacrifice

(Asva-medha). On the horse being stolen, he commanded his sixty

thousand sons to search for it. Digging at last deep into the earth,

they found it grazing beside the sage Kapila in Patala. Recog¬

nizing him to be the thief and destroyer of the sacrifice [acting as a

matter of fact on behalf of the gods, with the object of destroying

the sixty thousand], they rushed upon him with clubs and

weapons, but are destroyed by his glance.

The necessity of water for their funeral rites afterwards led to the

calling down of Ganga from heaven, by means of the penance of

Bhagiratha, but with this part of the story we are not now

concerned.

It is I think evident that the sculpture represents the sage Kapila,

with the horse, in Patala (the nether regions of the earth).

A. K. COOMARASWAMY.

September 18, 1909.

7. A Sinhalese Game. — There is a game in Ceylon identical with

what Mr. Crooke in his “ Natives of Northern India ” (page 189)

describes as the 44 Dom Crow ” played by the Punjabi boys.

44 Each boy in turn,” says Mr. Crooke, 44 is abused as the 4 Dom 5

(scavenger), and he rushes away and mounts a pile of sticks or

cow-dung fuel cakes, shouting out 4 Raja above and Dorns below,’

134 ,

RPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

while the others try to drag him down. Whoever succeeds in

maintaining his position wins.” The Sinhalese boy similarly cries

out —

Rajjuruvo udayi udayi,

Gukollo bimay i bimayi.

ARTHUR A. PERERA.

Kandy, October, 1909.

8. Birth of a Loris. — On August 16 I bought a Ceylon loris in

Colombo, and she has been in a cage by herself ever since. On

November 19 she gave birth to a young one. The young was

born without hair, and holds tightly on to its mother’s abdomen.

When the mother is going about her cage, which is a big one and

has branches in it, it is marvellous to see how she avoids touching

the young one against anything, although she goes quite fast in the

evening after insects.

S. H. PEARLESS.

Badulla, November 23, 1909.

9. Rambling Notes : —

(a) Sting of the Carpenter Bee. — The common carpenter bee

(Xylocopa tenuiscapa) is not an aggressive insect, though it is possessed

of a very powerful sting for defensive purposes. I have experienced

its stinging powers on two occasions. The first time, I was stung

on the inside of the thumb. The point apparently penetrated a

small vein, for a jet of blood followed the withdrawal of the sting.

The pain was severe -for a short time, but it soon became dull, and

passed off altogether in a few minutes’ time. On the second occasion ,

the sting took effect on the back of a middle finger, and there was no

effusion of blood. The pain, as before, was severe at first, but lasted

for a short time only.

(b) Action of Cobra Venom on its own Body. — While a large cobra

was being caged, and the removal of a noose (that had been tied

round its neck) was being attempted, the snake became so enraged

that it lashed out wildly in every direction, and finally buried its

fangs in a coil of its own body. The wounds of the fangs were

plainly visible and exuded two minute drops of blood. The snake

soon became very subdued and lay quietly in its cage, refusing to

respond to any attempts to rouse it. But on the following morning

it had completely recovered and was as lively as ever.

(c) Habits of Grasshoppers of the Genus Gryllacris. — The weird¬

looking long-horned grasshoppers of the genus Gryllacris construct

NOTES.

135

temporary shelters for themselves by biting a long curved slit in a

leaf and folding back the included area, the edges being fastened

down by mucus secreted from the mouth of the insect. The insect

rests under this shelter and sallies forth in search of its prey, which

consists of other insects smaller than itself. These grasshoppers

often fly into bungalows, attracted by the lights, and then set to

work to construct shelters of any material that comes handy. I

have seen a semicircular piece cut in a lace curtain and folded back

to cover the body of the insect. I have recently received a piece of

office paper treated in the same way. In this case the operator was

Gryllacris cequalis. The cut was made as neatly as if executed with

a pair of scissors, and takes the form of a double curve with a back¬

ward loop at the inner extremity. The excised area measures three

and a half by one and a half inches. This insect, in captivity, fed

freely upon spiders, crickets, and small moths.

(d) The Cockroach as a Predatory Insect. — The list of the natural

enemies of termites (in the winged stage) is already a long one ; but

I have now to add the cockroach to the number. Whilst watching

a flight of white ants fluttering against the outside of my window,

my attention was attracted by one that appeared to be in difficulties.

On looking closer, I saw that it was in the grasp of a large cockroach

( Blatta australasice) , which had commenced to feed upon it. The

cockroach was holding down the struggling termite with its front legs.

(e) The Hairs of Caterpillars a protection against Ants. — I have

often wondered how any insect could exist on a bush infested by

the ferocious red ant (CEcophylla smaragdina). Yet it is a common

occurrence to find the leaves of such bushes attacked by caterpillars

of various kinds. The small hairy larva of a Lithosiid moth was

observed on a leaf adjacent to the nest of these red ants. To see in

what manner it protected itself, the caterpillar was dropped into the

middle of a horde of the ants that had emerged from their nest on the

disturbance of the bush, and were drawn up ready to attack any

intruder. They rushed at the apparently defenceless caterpillar,

but were met by a “ cheval de frise ” of projecting hairs. The cater¬

pillar, meanwhile, calmly commenced to walk through the angry

crowd. One or two more intelligent ants each seized a hair ; but,

without interrupting the even tenour of its course, the caterpillar

shed the captured hairs and finally walked out of the baffled crowd.

(/) Insect Fauna of Sigiriya Rock. — The Sigiri rock rises out of

the plains to a height of about 1,150 feet. The sides of the rock are

so sheer that an elaborate system of iron ladders and railings has been

erected to enable the visitors to reach the summit, where are the

remains of the famous native fortress. The ground at the top is

more or less covered with coarse grass, which affords a home to

innumerable Acridian grasshoppers. Many dragon flies were

observed, and a single butterfly (Eulepis athamas ) was circling round

a small bush growing out of the stones of the trigonometrical station.

7(14)09

tf

136

SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

But the principal entomological interest was centred in the ancient

reservoir, which was still watertight and contained a fair-sized poo

surrounded by mud and sand. Hundreds of small red and black

Staphylinid beetles (of a species that appears to be common all over

the Island) were running over the mud. I captured two species of

Tettrigid grasshoppers (Scelimena logani and Euparatettix personatus).

The former is truly aquatic, having the hind legs flattened and

flanged for swimming. Both the larvse and the adult insects rest

on the margin and dive into the water when disturbed. Another

abundant insect on the water’s edge was a small shining black cricket

( Tridactyla nigrceneus). Mr. R. C. Punnett, who visited the place

a few days later, brought back specimens of a mole-cricket that

were found in the mud, actually under water. The time at my

disposal was too short to permit of an exhaustive investigation of the

fauna of this pool. The insects captured were, none of them, rare

or peculiar ; but it was interesting to find this small isolated pool on

the summit of a barren rock so fully populated.

E. ERNEST GREEN.

Royal Botanic Gardens,

• Peradeniya, November 8, 1909.

SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

ISSUED BY

THE COLOMBO MUSEUM,

CEYLON.

Vo l. VI. -Part XXIV.

May, 1910.

CONTENTS .

1.

3.

4.

5.

Southwell, T., A.R.C.Sc. (Lond.), F.L.S.—

A Descriptive Note on the Capture of a large Saw¬

fish ( Pristis cuspidatus ) containing Intra-uterine

Embryos

Hancock, J. L., M.D., F.E.S. —

Notes on Ceylonese Tetriginse (Orthoptera) , with

Descriptions of some new Species

Fletcher, T. B., R.N., F.E.S., F.Z.S.—

The Plume-Moths of Ceylon

Brunetti, E. —

Notes on Ceylon Diptera

Notes — W. A. Cave, E. E. Green, H. O. Barnard, O. S.

Wickwar, A. Willey, A. K. Coomaraswamy, A. E.

Spaar

PAGE

137

140

150

170

With Seven Plates, and Figures in the Te.

[For Rate of Subscription and other Information see ba>

^soffian Instft

JuN 30 191

of Cover. 1

/yar

J'onal Muse A

COLOMBO :

H. C. COTTLE, GOVERNMENT PRINTER, CEYLON.

1910.

Royal 8vo. 680 pages. 100 illustrations. Bound in cloth gilt,

price 25s. nett.

ANCIENT CEYLON:

An Account of the Aborigines and of Pari of the Early Civilization.

by

H. PARKER,

Late of the Irrigation Department , Ceylon.

WITH ILLUSTRATIONS BY THE AUTHOR.

LONDON:

Luzac & Co., Publishers to the India Office,

46, Great Russell Street, W.C,

1909.

CONTENTS.

Part I. — The Aborigines.

Part II. — Structural Works.

Part III. — Arts, Implements, and Games.

The Origin and Signification of the Cross and

Swastika.

Appendix. — Table of Measured Bricks.

With 21 full-page illustrations, and 80 in the text,

comprising more than 300 figures,

NOTE ON A LARGE SAW-FISH.

137

A DESCRIPTIVE NOTE ON THE CAPTURE OF A LARGE

SAW-FISH (PRISTIS CUSPIDATUS) CONTAINING

INTRA-UTERiNE EIYSBRY0S.

By T. Southwell, A.R.C.Sc. (Lond.), F.L.S.,

■Scientific Adviser to the Ceylon Company of Pearl Fishers , Ltd.,

and Inspector of Pearl Banks.

DURING trawling operations which were being conducted by

the ss. “ Violet ” at the mouth of Portugal Bay (Ceylon

Pearl Banks) on December 15, 1909, a large specimen of this fish

( Pristis cuspidatus ) was caught. It was a female measuring 15 J

feet, extreme length. The rostrum (or saw) measured 4J feet, and

the breadth across the pectoral fins was 5J feet. The weight was

appro ximately 170 lb. The interest attached to this capture lies

purely in the fact that it contained 23 embryos, which will be

referred to later.

A small male was also captured at the same time, having an

extreme length of 6f feet and a breadth of 1| feet.

Both these specimens occurred on mud in 4 fathoms. Two years

ago a specimen was trawled by the “ Viplet ” off the east coast of

Ceylon, but not being present I have no details, save that it

measured “ just over 18 feet.”

The flesh of this species is dried and salted, and is considered

excellent by the Tamil fishermen, whilst the fins are a delicacy of

some rarity. The Tamil name is “ Veila, ” and refers to the rostrum

or saw.

Day (“Fauna of British India, Fishes,” vol. I., 1889) refers as

follows to the family

“ Snout much produced, flattened, and having a saw-like

appearance, due to the existence of large teetli on its lateral edges.

Trunk passing gradually into the tail.

“ The endoskeleton of a tooth of the saw of one of these fishes

consists of from three to five hollow tubes tapering towards their

extremity, and covered with an osseous deposit, which is perforated

with fine holes. The teeth vary both in size and number in the

same species, rendering them unsuitable as specific, but admissible

as individual distinctions.

“Great injuries can be inflicted by these fishes, which strike

sideways with their formidable snouts ; and although not personally

a witness to the fact, I have been informed on native authority

that large ones have been known to cut a bather completely in two.

6(8)10

x

138

SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

The largest sample I saw was off the coast of Sind ( Pristis zysrori) ;

it measured over 16 feet, the rostrum being 4 feet 2 inches in

length. A Pristis cuspidatus, 14 feet long, captured at Calicut, was

found to have a liver weighing 185 lb., which was taken to the oil

factory when I was present.

“ At Gawadur, on the Mekran coast, I found that the fishermen

of all religions presented the saw of these fishes at a small temple,

tyhere they were hung up inside or piled round the outside. The

priest was expected to pray for success for the fishermen in their

takes and a safe return to shore. At the Andaman Islands the

aborigines, wishing to make a suitable offering to their superinten¬

dent, attacked an enormous saw-fish, which they harpooned, and

eventually secured at the risk of their lives. They presented him

with the rostrum, which I now possess.

“ Geographical Distribution. — Seas of tropical and temperate

regions.”

Our female specimen struggled violently on deck, at intermittent

periods, for over a quarter of an hour. The exhibition clearly

indicated the serious nature of the danger of which these fish are

capable.

The small male presented no outstanding features. The stomach,

however , contained a few small fish ; the spiral valve was full of a

stringy green muddy slime, and contained over 136 specimens of

cestodes , all belonging to the same species , which I am describing

elsewhere as a new species of Cephalobothrium ( C . variabile).

Other cestodes present remain unidentified, and are possibly new.

The length of the rostrum was 1J feet, and 1J inches broad. The

teeth numbered 22 on the right side and 25 on the left. It is

curious to note that the proximal 17 teeth on each side were in pairs,

whilst the distal remaining ones were irregular. Three teeth were

broken, and the teeth varied greatly in size.

In the female, to which we must refer in particular, the stomach

contained one rather large Sepia sp. newly ingested and three small

fish measuring 5J inches. The intestine contained green fibrous

slime and fish debris, but no cestodes. Except the distal 4 pairs,

the teeth on the rostrum were strikingly and accurately alternate,

except a single proximal one on the left side. The teeth numbered

27 on the left and 25 on the right. Five teeth were broken , and 4

showed distinct signs of repair.

The internal wall of the stomach presented coarse longitudinal

folds. The folds of the spiral valve were fairly closely approximated .

Immediately on capture a discharge occurred from the cloaca,

consisting of a serous fluid tinged with blood, and two embryos

were noted protruding, rostrum presenting.

On internal examination the ovaries were found to be long and

narrow, the left one small. Both oviducts (Mullerian ducts) were

distended, equal in size, and measured 17 inches long by 15 J inches

Saw-fish embryos, seen from above and below, with the yolk-sac attached to the body by a long stalk.

(The shred near the left eye of the left figure is a flaw in the block.)

NOTE ON A LARGE SAW-FISH.

139

in circumference. They lay ventral in the abdominal cavity, and

were connected together ventrally by a thin delicate serous

membrane, which was united to the body wall dorsally. Their

external walls were highly vascular, whilst the internal walls

presented the appearance usual amongst viviparous Selachians.

The oviducts were united at the cloaca to form a wide infundibular

opening. The left oviduct contained 12 embryos, the right one 11.

Of the 23 embryos, 9 were males and 14 females. Having no infor¬

mation to hand as to the period of gestation, I give the following

particulars.

The embryos all lay horizontally, i.e., parallel to the axis of the

parent. There still remained a small quantity of a serous fluid in

the oviduct, the bulk of which had probably been lost prior to

examination, as previously noted. Some embryos lay with the

rostrum close to the cloacal opening, whilst others were exactly

opposite. The embryos themselves measured in extreme length

14 inches ; breadth across pectoral fins 44 inches ; length of rostrum

5 inches ; length of placental stalk 5 inches ; diameter of yolk-sac

2f inches ; the stalk of the yolk-sac was whitish gray , increasing

slightly in diameter as it approached the sac, the greatest diameter

being f inch, the average | inch. The sac itself was exactly similar

in colour to the yolk of a hen’s egg.

The blood vessels all ran parallel to the direction of the stalk.

The presence of the substance of the yolk-sac was noted right up to

the origin.

With reference to the rostrum, the dentition, whilst apparent,

was obscured by being entirely covered by a transparent carti¬

laginous tissue, which of necessity must disappear later. Even in

the foetus the teeth are irregular in number, and vary between an

alternate arrangement and a distribution in pairs. The number

present in the 23 embryos varied from 23 to 28 on both sides, and

the distribution in pairs from 5 to 26.

All apertures were open to the exterior. A line of mucoid pits

were well defined on each external side of the gills, running to the

eye and terminating at the origin of the pectoral fin.

The eyes were protruding. Two well-defined but minute pits,

approximated, occurred dorsally, opposite to the posterior limit of

the orbit, otherwise the embryos presented no outstanding features.

140

SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

NOTES ON CEYLONESE TETRIQ8N/E (ORTHOPTERA),

WITH DESCRIPTIONS OF SOiVIE NEW SPECIES.

By Joseph Lane Hancock, M.D., F.E.S.

(With two Figures.)

THROUGH the generosity of Mr. Thomas Bainbrigge Fletcher,

R.N., I am enabled to present herewith some descriptive

notes on Ceylonese Tetriginse.* While Mr. Fletcher was in Ceylon

during the years 1908-1909, he made a collection of these small

insects, comprising 289 specimens, which he kindly sent to me

for study. I find in this series of examples are represented ten

genera and sixteen species, one of the former and two of the latter

being new to science. These are described in the enumeration

of species in the sequence. I have been privileged to use in this

connection Mr. Fletcher’s field notes, which add material value to

the subject.f The life of the Tettigids J seems to be greatly

dependent upon the climatic conditions in Ceylon. In reviewing

these conditions we find ‘w In August, 1908, everything was very dry

at Madulsima, there having been practically no rain at all since

April. The monsoon rains commence about October, and from

this time to December is a very wet period. It is noticeable how

few Tettigids are now visible (December 21, 1908), as compared

with four months ago. This is probably due to the rain, which

has enabled them to scatter much further afield in quest of food ,

whereas in August they were confined to a very few spots which

still retained a little moisture, and possibly also this (December) is

their breeding season, and the young individuals are still minute and

inconspicuous.” In August it was found that “ A small pool by the

pathside, fed by a pipe, made a moist spot, very attractive to small

Tettigids, which appeared to have congregated here from all the

more arid situations around it.” In this assemblage I determined

three species, namely : Euparaiettix variegatus, Systolederus greeni,

and Criotettix tricarinatus. Moreover, in August, Mr. Fletcher says :

“ The Tettigids seemed rather lethargic, and are perhaps in a state

of partial aestivation.” This supposition was based on the fact

* In a former number of Spolia Zeylanica, vol. II., pp. 97-157, 1904, I have

given an account of the Tetriginse of Ceylon, which is frequently referred to in

the present paper.

t The localities in which Tetriginse were observed include the following :

Madulsima, Province of Uva ; Haputale, 4,800 feet ; Labugama, Western

Province, about 150 feet ; Maskeliya, Central Province, about 4,000 feet ;

Weligama, Southern Province ; Dondra’; Taldena, Province of Uva, 1 , 100 feet ;

Colombo ; Galle ; Pol gahawela, 250 feet ; and Hambantota, South-East Ceylon.

$ [Tetriginse and Tettigidse are here used as alternative terms.]

NOTES ON CEYLONESE TETRI GIN

141

that the whole country was in a state of drought, and also from the

fact that he found certain Tettigids (which I determined to be

Systolederus anomalus) burrowing under dry moss on a rock.

The behaviour of Tettigids under changing climatic conditions,

such as moisture and dryness, is one of great importance from

the evolution standpoint, and further data are needed. The segre¬

gation of certain species under one condition of dryness, and their

dispersal under another condition of moisture , forms a theme worthy

of further study, if nothing more were gained than the light it

might throw on the subject of isolation and natural selection in

this group.

Scelimena gavialis, Saussure.

Ann. Soc. Entom. , France, p. 485, 1860. Figured by Hancock in

Spolia Zeylanica, vol. II., Plate I., figs. 4-4c.

This is one of the most interesting aquatic species found in Ceylon.

Its hind tibiae are modified into perfect paddles for swimming.

This species is often found on dark coloured rocks projecting above

the water in the streams, and readily jumps into the water when

disturbed. It frequently submerges its body completely, and

clings to the stones on the bottom. But finally, when the supposed

danger has passed, it crawls up again on to the rocks. Mr. Fletcher’s

first captures of this species were at Haputale (4,800 feet) in the

Province of Uva on September 18, 1907, under which date he writes :

“ The first specimen taken was found in the net when catching

Notonectids in a small stream ; the second was seen swimming under

water against the current with its wings closed ; it settled on a stone

under water, and looked not unlike a dragon fly larva. Subsequently

about a dozen were taken sitting on rocks near little cascades.

They seemed to be gregarious and inclined to be social, for they

occurred in little groups of about half a dozen specimens in a space

of a few yards, and on several occasions two specimens were seen

sitting side by side on a rock ; in at least two instances these proved

to be male and female. In spite of the vivid red edging to the

thorax, this species is not at all conspicuous on the dark rocks

on which it rests.” Under date December 19, 1907, Mr. Fletcher

notes two examples taken along a stream on Cocogalla estate (4,000

feet) in the Madulsima district : “ These two, apparently male and

female, were at rest on the same rock, but two or three inches apart.

They usually seem to go in pairs, male and female, but I have not

seen them in cop .” Mr. Fletcher also says : “ At Madulsima, May

13, 1908, a small rocky-bedded stream contained some immature

Metrocoris stall , and on the rocks were numerous examples of

Scelimena gavialis . As usual, these were generally sitting on the

rocks in pairs, close to one another, near the surface of the water,

but I saw none in copulation. On being disturbed they jumped into

the water and clung to the stones on the bottom, crawling up again

142

SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

on to the rocks out of the water when the threatened danger had

passed. I saw one use its wings to escape when hard pressed, but

this is unusual.” In viewing these insects on the rocks in a small

hillside stream at Madulsima, May 16, 1908, he observes: “The

coloration of Gavialidium crocodilus is eminently procryptic, as it

is also in the case of Scelimena, but the latter rests on the dark

rocks, and usually just above the surface of the water.” On May 19

he found this species was common in the bed of a stream on the

Roeberry estate (about 4,000 feet elevation). Here their behaviour

was similar to that noted above. They were found sitting locally

on the rocks just out of the water in little colonies. “ When pressed

they sometimes take to wing and fly out of reach, but more

frequently dive into the water and crawl up again when the danger

is presumably over.” Again, under date of May 26, he says : “ In

the morning I followed up the rocky bed of a small stream and

took a large number of S. gavialis and a few (mostly immature)

Gavialidium .” Later on in the season at Madulsima, August 13,

this species was found common at the waterfall. They were closely

grouped together just above the water’s edge. A male was found

clasping a female, but not in copulation. Two individuals had just

completed an ecdysis and were quite soft ; the cast skins remained

beside them. In making comparison of the behaviour of Gavialidium

crocodilus and Scelimena gavialis , Mr. Fletcher found at Madulsima,

August 16, that “ the former species occurs usually in little colonies,

on damp rocks near water, and is very sluggish, rarely jumping and

never taking to wing. 8. gavialis , on the contrary, often takes to wing

when disturbed, or very frequently dives into the water, above the

edge of which it is usually found. G. crocodilus is not generally

found in such close proximity to the running water itself. Still

later in the season, on January 13, this species was found at Madul¬

sima. “ Along the banks of a small stream it was fairly common,

and flew actively in the hot sunshine ; one example on being

disturbed deliberately flew into the water and dived to the bottom.

In one case two quite immature individuals were found on a rock

on either side of an adult and almost touching it.” Again we are

reminded of the difference in the behaviour of G. crocodilus and

the species under consideration by the following observations. At

Madulsima, January 17, 1909 : “A specimen of G. crocodilus

was taken on a rock beside a small stream ; as usual, it was very

sluggish, and readily allowed itself to be captured in my fingers.

Very different is the behaviour of 8. gavialis, an example of which

was also on a rock close to G. crocodilus ; when approached with the

hand, the Scelimena jumped off smartly and took to wing.” Under

date of January 28, he further says : “At Labugama is a large

artificial reservoir, which supplies Colombo with water ; this reservoir

is surrounded by low hills, which are reserved forest — that is, no

buildings whatever are permitted. In one part of the reservoir a

NOTES ON CEYLONESE TETRIGfflSLE.

143

small stream trickles down over the face of a rock and makes a small

waterfall. Here S. gavialis was common in all stages on the damp

rocks, taking wing fairly readily. I had always looked on this

species as a representative of the montane region, but Labugama

is at an elevation of only about 150 feet.” Ninety-one specimens

in all were taken by Mr. Fletcher in the following localities :

Madulsima, Haputale, Labugama, and Maskeliya. It has pre¬

viously been reported from Dambulla, Peradeniya, Pundaluoya,

and Kandy.

Scelimena logani , Hancock.

Spolia Zeylanica, vol. II., pp. 120-122, Plate I., figs. 5-5 c, 1904.

Like the preceding, this species is also aquatic, often diving in the

water, and living on rocks in streams. But one example was taken

at Madulsima , May 16, 1908, by Mr. Fletcher, who says : “In the

evening I went over to Roeberry estate, worked a little way down

the bed of the stream there , and took a few specimens of Scelimena

gavialis , and among them two examples which appear to be logani .

Nothing special was noticed about the habits of these latter.” I

find only one specimen of logani in the collection forwarded to me

bearing this date on the label. This species has previously been

recorded from Kandy, Haragama, and Kalawewa. S. logani is

easily distinguished from gavialis by the presence of an additional

small tubercle situated on each side of the lateral lobes before the

spines, by the several distinct spines arming the lower border of the

posterior femora, and also by the yellowish colour of spines and thin

edging of the same colour on the pronotum. In gavialis this colouring

is replaced usually by vermilion red, instead of yellowish, as in

logani.

Gavialidium crocodilus, Saussure.

Ann. Soc. Entom., France, p. 485, 1860. Figured by Hancock in

Spolia Zeylanica , vol. II., Plate II., figs. 4-4c, 1904.

This is a singular species, having more sluggish habits than

Scelimena , and often living on grayish coloured rocks. It is not

aquatic, though sometimes individuals associate in small groups

not far from the water. The hind tibiae are not modified in the

form of paddles in this species. At Madulsima, May 16, 1908, Mr.

Fletcher found two examples along a small hillside stream ; both

were on dusty gray rocks, not immediately near the water, and they

were very difficult to distinguish. In the previous notes under

Scelimena gavialis is mentioned the eminently procryptic coloration

of both S. gavialis and G. crocodilus , which need not be repeated in

detail here. On May 20, along the lower road at the waterfall, a

few specimens were taken in all stages. Again on the 26th the rocky

bed of a small stream yielded a few, mostly immature, individuals.

Later on in the season, at Madulsima, August 12, it is mentioned as

144

SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

occurring “on damp rocks near a small stream, now nearly dry, a

male and female were associated, the male clasping the female, but

not actually in copulation,” On August 13 : 44 At the waterfall

G. crocodilus and 8. go,vialis were common, each in little patches on

certain rocks, the former scattered and some little distance from

the water, the latter closely grouped together just above the water’s

edge. A male crocodilus was found clasping a female, but not in

copulation.” This species is again recorded in the notes as occurring

at Madulsima, August 16, 44 usually in little colonies, on damp rocks

near water, and is very sluggish, rarely jumping, and never taking

to wing.” Later in the year, on January 17, 1909, it was again

observed ; see note of this date under S. gavialis. It was taken at

3,500 feet elevation at Madulsima, on December 8, 1908, “on a

rock near a stream,” and on the 21st 44 a single example was found

on a dead stump near a stream. As usual, it was very sluggish,

and allowed itself to be caught in the fingers.” Forty specimens

were taken by Mr. Fletcher at Madulsima and Haputale. This

species has also been previously recorded from Pundaluoya and

Kadugannawa.

Criotettix tricarinatus , Bolrvar.

Ann. Soc. Entom. Belgique, XXXI., p. 224, 1887. Figured

by Hancock in Spolia Zeylanica, vol. II., Plate III., figs. 15-156,

1904.

A small graceful species having an acute spine on each side

arming the lateral lobes of pronotum. It frequents the banks of

streams and grassy lands.

At Madulsima, May 13, 1908, it was taken by Mr. Fletcher in a

damp place along a path. On May 20, at the waterfall, a number

were taken seemingly in company with Sysloledcrus greeni. Later

both of these species were again observed on August 12 on damp

rocks near a small stream, now nearly dry. The following day it

was found congregated about a small pocl by the pathside, this

moist spot offering an attraction to several small Tettigids. Still

later, on August 16, it was found 44 common in damp places. It is

rather sluggish as a rule , but active when disturbed. In life some of

these insects showed a light patch surrounding basally the sharp

lateral spine.” A few individuals were taken, December 10, at rest

on an old damp log lying across the path at Arawa, about 900 feet

elevation, in a damp hollow amongst secondary jungle. Two days

later a couple more of this species were found on the same log. One

of these insects is extensively suffused with pale coloration on the

dorsum of the pronotum. Sixty-four specimens are represented in

the collection taken at Madulsima and Weligama, and one of these

was taken at Polgahawela. It has previously been recorded from

Peradeniya, Pundaluoya, Kandy, and Kadugannawa. It has also

been recorded from Southern India by Bolivar.

NOTES ON CEYLONESE TETK-IGINiE.

145

Criotettix spinilobus, Hancock.

Spolia Zeylanica, vol. II., p. 129, Plate III, figs. 12-126, 1904.

Besembling the preceding species, but slightly smaller, the

vertex of head little wider and the pronotum above lightly tubercu-

late. It lives on swampy ground. But one specimen was taken by

Mr. Fletcher at Maskeliya, March 10, 1909. It has heretofore been

recorded from Pundaluoya.

Acanthalobus miliarius , Bolivar.

Ann. Soc. Entom. Belgique, XXXI., p. 226, 1887. Figured by

Hancock in Spolia Zeylanica , Plate II., figs. 8-8a, 1904.

This species is larger than Criotettix ; the spine arming the

lateral lobe on each side of the body is directed obliquely backward,

and the vertex is broader between the eyes. It lives in rice fields

and along the banks of streams. Two examples were taken : one at

Colombo, October, 1907 ; the other came to light at Galle, Novem¬

ber 11, 1907. It has previously been reported from Peradeniya,

Kandy, and Pundaluoya.

Loxilobus rugosus, Hancock.

Spolia Zeylanica , vol. II., p. 135, Plate III., figs. 17-176, 1904.

A small short-wing species without lateral thoracic spines. It

lives on grass lands and on swampy ground. One example was

taken by Mr. Fletcher at Weligama, January 16, 1908. It has

heretofore been recorded from Pundaluoya.

Systolederus greeni, Bolivar.

Ann. Soc. Entom., France, LXX., p. 584, 1902. Figured by

Hancock in Spolia Zeylanica , vol. II., Plate II., figs. 9-96, 1904.

A species readily recognized by the elevated closely proximated

eyes, which are also strongly globose in profile view. It often

frequents hot dry rocks away from the water, and is very active on

the wing. At Madulsima, May 13, 1908, Mr. Fletcher writes that a

small rocky-bedded stream contained a number of these insects,

4 ‘which skipped nimbly over the rocks well clear of the water.” Three

days later, on May 16, he found on visiting a small hillside stream

a number of these insects, which occurred commonly on the bare

surfaces of the dark rocks in the sunshine. Again, on May 20, he

mentions : “In the forenoon went along the lower road out to the

waterfall and took a number of small Tettigids.” I have identified

these insects as Systolederus greeni and Criotettix tricarinatus. Later

on in the season, August 12, this species occurred on damp rocks

near a small stream, now nearly dry ; here it was again found in

company with the above species at a small pool by the pathside.

Again, referring to this species, on August 16, he says : “ In the

morning went a short distance along the lower road and took a few

y 6(8)10

146

SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

Tettigids. The commonest is a smali dark species without any

sharp lateral spine on the pronotum ; it is very active, both when

running over the bare rocks in the sunshine and when on the

wing.”

Fifty-two examples were taken by Mr. Fletcher in all. Most

of these were from Madulsima, but a few of the specimens bear

labels signifying they are from Maskeliya and Haputale. It has

previously been recorded from Kadugannawa, Pundaluoya, and

from Kodaikanal, Southern India.

Systolederus anomalus , sp. nov.

Head only very little exserted, body rugose punctate and sparingly

tuber culate. Vertex narrow, nearly half the width of one of the

globose eyes, tricarinate anteriorly, in profile not advanced beyond

the eyes ; facial frontal costa somewhat narrowly compressed,

between the antennse arcuately elevated ; eyes somewhat prominent,

but much less so than in other species, little elevated above the

dorsum ; antennae inserted scarcely in advance of the anterior

lower angle of the eyes. Pronotum anteriorly truncate and ad¬

vanced nearly to the eyes but not touching them, a small portion

of the occiput being left uncovered ; dorsum rugose punctate, tuber-

culate, and deplanate ; median carina irregularly undulate ; humeral

angles lightly carinate, posterior process cuneate, not or nearly

reaching to the apices of posterior femora ; lateral lobes distinctly

obliquely ampliate, explanate at the inferior borders, posterior

angles outwardly produced, being acute angulate but not spined,

behind widely obliquely truncate ; superior elytral sinus arcuately

excavate and very shallow or almost wanting ; elytra narrow, minute,

and elliptical. Wings small, not reaching to end of pronotal process,

anterior and middle femora entire, slightly compressed, elongate;

posterior femora rather stout, the apical and anteapical genicular

lobes small and acute ; first and third articles of posterior tarsi equal

in length, the three pulvilli of the first article nearly equal in length.

Colour of body dark fusco- variegated.

Length of body, female (to end of ovipositor) 9*5 mm. ; pronotum

9 mm. ; post. fern. 5 5 mm.; male 7 mm. ; pronotum 7*8 mm. ; post,

fern. 5 mm.

Three of these curious Tettigids, comprising one female and two

males, were found by Mr. Fletcher at Madulsima, August 12, 1908.

In noting their capture he says : “A short walk in the morning

yielded three specimens of Tettigids, found burrowing under quite

dry moss on a rock by the path side.”

Genus Spadotettix, nov.

Related to Tetrix. Face strongly oblique. Viewed from above

the crown of head oblong ; the vertex wider than one of the eyes,

strongly produced beyond the eyes, bearing a very distinct projecting

NOTES ON CEYLONESE TETRI GINiE.

147

median carina, viewed in profile angulate produced forward before

the eyes (in the type species a distance scarcely equal to two -thirds

the length of one of the eyes). Pronotum anteriorly truncate,

advanced forward coming in contact with the eyes ; lateral lobes

having the posterior angles slightly re flexed outwards, obtuse and

obliquely truncate behind. The superior elytral sinus of lateral

lobes, the elytra and wings absent.

This genus is represented by one diminutive apterous species,

the type being Spadotettix fletcheri described herewith.

Fig. I. — Spadotettix fletcheri, sp. nov. Profile view of the head and part of

pronotum.

[ Fig. 2. — Dorsal aspect of the same.

Spadotettix fletcheri , sp. nov.

Body small, apterous, coloured dark testaceous infuscated. Head

not exserted, vertex viewed from above oblong, wider than one of

the eyes, widened backwards between them and strongly produced

forward beyond them a distance of about half their length ; the

crown bearing a distinct median carina, which projects forward as

a prominent tooth from the middle of the rounded-truncate border ;

on either side of median carina longitudinally canaliculate ; the

anterior marginal carinulse flexed backward laterally running

parallel to the front border of the eyes ; in profile view the vertex

strongly acute angulate produced a distance nearly equal to two-

thirds the length of one of the eyes ; face distinctly oblique, the

facial frontal costa slightly excavate opposite the eyes, the rami

somewhat widely sulcate, and barely compresso-elevated between

the antennae ; eyes moderately small ; posterior ocelli situated in

advance of the middle of the eyes ; antennae slender and filiform,

consisting of thirteen to fourteen articles, inserted opposite the

anterior lower angle of the eyes. Pronotum granulate subscabrous,

moderately widened between the shoulders ; dorsum subtectiform

forward depressed subfossulate behind the shoulders ; median carina

biundulate, distinctly compresso-elevated in front of the shoulders ;

humeral angles widely obtuse angulate and carinate ; the front

border truncate advanced to the eyes, posteriorly cuneiform and

148

SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

the process abbreviate, not reaching to the end of posterior femora,

the lateral margins of process bicarinate ; the short prozonal carinse

forward distinct and convergent backward ; between the shoulders

the dorsum bearing two abbreviated supernumerary carinulse,

posterior angles of the lateral lobes reflexed outwards, obtuse yet

obliquely truncate behind ; eljtral sinus at the sides, the elytra and

wings absent. Anterior and middle femora compressed, the lower

margin of middle femora triundulate bearing a small median lobe ;

posterior tibiae black annulate with light yellowish behind the knee,

carinse armed with spines and serrulate ; first articles of posterior

tarsi somewhat longer than the third, the first and second pulvilli

acute, the third more flattened below.

Entire length of body, female, 8 mm. ; pronotum 6*5 mm. ,

posterior femora 4 mm. Two examples were taken at Madulsima,

December 8, 1908, “ on mossy rocks about 3,500 feet elevation.”

I take pleasure in dedicating this interesting species in honour of

Mr. Fletcher.

Lamellitettix pluricarinatus , Hancock.

Trans. Entom. Soc., London, Dec., 1908, p. 404.

This slender species was originally described from a single female

example taken at Deltota, the type being now in the Oxford

University Museum. The dimensions of the present male specimen

(taken at Maskeliya on the surfaces of rocks along a stream, March

10, 1909) are as follows : —

Entire length of body 12*8 mm. ; pronotum 11*5 mm. ; posterior

femora 4*5 mm.

Euparatettix variegatus, Bolivar.

Paratettix variegatus, Bolivar. Ann. Soc. Entom., Belgique,

XXXI., p. 278, 1887.

This species is represented b;y two female examples, which were

taken at Madulsima, August 13, 1908. At the time Mr. Fletcher

found this species in association with Systolederus greeni and

Criotettix tricarinatus at the border of a pool.

Euparatettix personatus , Bolivar.

Paratettix personatus, Bolivar. Ann. Soc. Entom., Belgique,

•XXXI., p. 278, 1887. Figured by Hancock in Spolia Zeylanica,

vol. II., Plate II., figs. 10-106, and Plate III., 1904.

A series of fifteen specimens was taken at Hambantota. In

referring to them (on November 28) Mr. Fletcher says : “ Several

Tettigids were taken along the edges of a pond, seeming to occur

specially in places where there was a scanty fringe of grass. They

were active and were well concealed when at rest on the brown mud.

One specimen had a pure white patch on the thorax, but this has

faded after death ; it had rather the appearance of a splash of bird

NOTES ON CEYLONESE TETRlGINiE.

149

lime.” The next day this species was again noted here along the

margins of the pond, one specimen being very broadly suffused with

white above. “ This specimen is much more suffused than that

one taken yesterday, and I doubt whether either is more than a

colour variety.” This species has previously been recorded from

Colombo, Kesbewa, and Peradeniya.

Euparatettix pilosus , Hancock.

Trans. Entom. Soc., London, pp. 409-410, Part Ill., Dec., 1908.

Two examples were obtained along the edge of a wet ditch at

Weligama, January 21, 1908. It has not heretofore been recorded

from Ceylon, the type specimens being described from Indian

examples taken at Mysore.

Hedotettix gracilis , de Haan.

Bijdr. Kenn. der Orthopt., p. 169, 1842. Figured by Hancock in

Spolia Zeylanica , vol. II., Plate III., figs. 19-19a, 1904.

Also H. gracilis abortus , Hancock.

Spolia Zeylanica , vol. II., p. 151, 1904.

Thirteen specimens, two of the form gracilis and the remainder

abortus , were taken at Weligama, January 2, 1908, along the edge

of a wet ditch. This species has previously been recorded from

Colombo, Dambulla, and Kandy. It frequents rice fields and

grasslands.

150

SPOLIA ZEYLAN1CA.

THE PLUME-MOTHS OF CEYLON.

Part ii. — The Orneodids.

By T. Bainbrigge Fletcher, R.N., F.E.S.. F.Z.S.

(With 2 Plates and 8 Figures.)

Introductory.

rpHE Orneodidae, easily recognized and sufficiently characterized

-L by the fact that both wings are cleft into six or more segments,

each ciliated on both sides, form an isolated group of Lepidoptera,

few in numbers and usually small in size, which may be considered

as nearly allied to the Pyralidae with some affinities to the Tineidae.

The point to be borne in mind is that the Orneodidae and Ptero-

phoridae, although both popularly included under the name of

“ Plume-moths,” do not appear to be at all closely allied to one

another.

The normal state of affairs in this group is a fission of each wing

into six segments, but in Ceylon we find the endemic genus Tris-

ccedecia with seven segments in the hindwing and six in the fore wing,

this unusual amount of fission forming a parallel to the analogous

case of Heptaloba amongst the Pterophoridae. It is worthy of note,

however, that the fissures in Trisccedecia do not extend more than

half way into the wing, whilst in Orneodes they reach practically to the

base itself ; this appears to indicate a very early divergence from the

primitive form, which we may imagine as having had shallow clefts,

or more anciently mere scallopings, in the margin of each wing

between the terminations of the nervures.

The Orneodid larva and pupa are extraordinarily different from

those of the Pterophoridae, and very closely resemble the forms

found in the Tineidae. The larvae of some, but not all, of the species

are peculiar in their habit of burrowing within the flower- stalks,

stems, or young shoots of the food plants, in which their presence

gives rise to gall-like excrescences.

Classification.

Hitherto four genera have been recognized in this group — Orneodes

Pcelia, Microschismus , and Trisccedecia — of which the first and last

only have been found in Ceylon, Pcelia being peculiar to South

America and Microschismus to South Africa. Microschismus includes

two species, Pcelia and Trisccedecia are mono typical, but Orneodes

at present consists of some forty species, which have been recorded

from every part of the world. The constituent species of this

THE PLUME-MOTHS OF CEYLON.

151

last genus exhibit remarkable differences inter se, especially in the

structure of the palpi, but the group is small, compact, and well

characterized, so that it appears undesirable to split it up in the light

of our present knowledge. In the presence of the peculiar costal

scale-tufts and in the well-developed maxillary palpi, O. trachyptera

amongst our species in Ceylon seems remote in structural characters

from the other members of the genus, but, as stated above, it

does not appear necessary at present to separate it generically.

0. microscopica is also very distinct from the remaining species

by the shallowness of the first cleft in the fore wing and the very stout

sixth segment in the hindwing.

Distribution in Space and Time.

It is especially noteworthy that nearly all the species of Orneodidse

hitherto discovered in Ceylon are peculiar to the Island, the mono-

typical genus Trisecedecia being indeed unknown outside of Ceylon.

With an increase of our knowledge of the Asiatic forms of this group,

it is possible that our views regarding their geographical distribution

may require considerable modification, but in the light of what we

know at present it is perhaps permissible to deduce a very high

antiquity for this little family, such deduction being based logically

on the one hand upon the extremely similar but highly peculiar

facies of the members of this group , and on the other hand upon their

extremely wide distribution throughout all the zoogeographical

regions,* whilst the occurrence of the individual species within very

circumscribed areas appears to indicate very limited powers of distri¬

bution. Except in the case of 0. hexadactyla, which occurs through¬

out the Holarctic realm ( i.e ., Europe, N. Asia, and N. America),

we know no single instance of an Orneodid species whose distribution

extends outside of a very small portion of one of the zoogeographical

regions, a state of affairs which appears to point to the fact that

these localized species have been evolved within very circumscribed

areas of space, although the universal distribution of the family

forbids us to add the qualification “ and of time also.” Nothing is

known of any Orneodidse in a fossil state.

Habits and Life-Histories.

So far as Ceylon is concerned it is a matter for regret that, up to

the present at least, the information under this heading is almost

a perfect blank. The few specimens of imagines collected have

almost invariably been attracted by light, a method of capture which

gives us very little information about their habits in a natural state.

I once, however, beat a specimen of 0. montigena at Ohiya, and this

was disturbed from a mossy roadside bank, on which it settled again.

* No Orneodid has been recorded as yet from New Zealand, although it is

reasonable to expect that some species will be found there. The members of

this group are, however, rather inhabitants of warm climates.

152

SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

Three examples of 0. pygmcea were also beaten at Hambantota

from jungle scrub ; two of these pitched on the upper surface of

Capparis leaves, and I noticed that they settled on the leaf with

outspread wings, then gave a rapid upward jerk with the fore wings

and settled down again quite quietly with wings outspread and

closely appressed to the surface of the leaf.

In Europe, however, their habits are rather better known, and the

following summary is translated from Dr. Hofmann’s account of the

Orneodidae of the Palaearctic region (“ Iris,” vol. XL, pp. 342-343)

in the hope that it may assist local collectors in elucidating the life-

histories of some of these little moths in Ceylon : —

“ The larvae of all the species, so far as they are known, live in the

inside of parts of plants, either in the flowrers wThose filaments and

Figure 7.

Ormeodid (£all in Scabiosa columbaria .

Howard — Mareellia IV. 33.^

styles they consume , or in flower-stalks, branches, and young shoots,

in which their presence forms gall-like swellings.

44 Hitherto only the plant-genera Lonicera, Scabiosa, and Stachys

are known to be food plants of Orneodid larvae.

4" The eggs, as has been directly observed in the case of 0. hexa-

dactyla, and highly probably in the case of other species also, are

laid . on the particular parts of the plants, an introduction of

the egg into the interior of the plant not being possible owing to the

soft condition of the short and thick female ovipositor. The young

larvae must therefore first penetrate into their food plant from the

outside.

“ The larvae living in flowers change their dwelling several times.

In general the larvae are slow and sluggish, and move around more

smartly only before pupation. Notwithstanding their concealed

mode of life, they are frequented not rarely by small Ichneumon

flies and Tajhinids.

THE PLUME-MOTHS OF CEYLON.

153

“ For the purpose of pupating, the larvae forsake the portions of

the plant enclosing them and prepare for themselves on the upper

surface of the ground an oval cocoon, which is usually covered with

grains of earth or sand, or is composed solely of a wide-meshed web.

“ On emergence the empty pupa case remains behind in the

cocoon .

“ The moths fly voluntarily only towards evening, shortly before

and after sunset, around their food plants. In repose the hindwings

are spread out as in flight, but the segments of the fore wings, which

cover the first two segments of the hindwings, are so apjwoximated

to one another that they occupy only about half the breadth usual

in flight, whereby their pattern appears very distinct. The fore part

of the body is raised up a little, the palpi are stretched out horizon¬

tally and project widely ; the recurved terminal joint is erected at

an acute angle. The antennal flagellum forms with the basal joint,

which lies on the fore part of the eye, an obtuse angle and rests under

the wing.”

Ovum.

The egg of 0. hexadactyla is described by Chapman (Trans. Ent.

Soc., London, 1896, p. 138) as about -48 mm. long and *28 mm.

wide, somewhat cylindrical and truncate, or like a short thick brick

with the angles and corners rounded off ; the surface is sculptured

with irregular raised lines and pits. In colour it is at first white,

then yellow, and finally orange. It is laid on the flower heads of

honeysuckle.

Larva.

Hofmann (“Iris,” vol. XI., pp. 339-341) gives the following

general description of the larvae of the European species of

Orneodes

“ The larvae present nothing very characteristic, and seem very

similar to many Tineid and Tortricid larvae ; they are sometimes

short and thick, sometimes more elongated, usually tapering ante¬

riorly or anteriorly and posteriorly, more or less convex dorsally,

with a very small head ; the interstices between the segments are well

marked, less so in the short thick larvae, more so in the elongated

ones, but are always fairly distinct ; an indented transverse line

behind their middle shows that the segments are made up of two

subsegments ; above the spiracles runs longitudinally a linear mark,

below the spiracles a longitudinal swelling (lateral ledge). The skin

is covered with fine, pointed, scattered spicules, which arise from

globular chitinous appendages. (Only visible under a magnification

of about 350.)

“ The warts are mostly very small, inconspicuous, single-haired ;

their position on abdominal segments 1-8 is ‘the same as in the

Tineids. I. stands on the back of the anterior, II. on that of the

posterior subsegment, III. again on the anterior over the spiracle,

z 6(8)10

154

SPOLTA ZEYLANICA.

IV. and V. very near together below the same, and VI. with two

hairs directly under these. On the base of the prolegs stand also

two warts, one exterior (VII.) and one interior (VIII.).

“ On the ninth abdominal segment I could only make out four

warts on each side : two dorsal ones one behind the other, and two

lateral ones one above the other. On the second and third thoracic

segments warts I. and II. stand one above the other, each composed

of two small single -haired tubercles on a single somewhat large flat

chitinous shield (l.a and 1.6, Il.a and II. 6, according to Dyar) ; then

follow more distantly below and anteriorly (in the case of grammo-

dactyla), 111. and IV. likewise one above the other, and still further

down comes VI. Wart V. seems to be absent . In Orn.

hexadactyla III. and IV. stand horizontally riear one another, V. is

wanting or is extremely rudimentary.

“ The first thoracic and the tenth abdominal segments are pro¬

vided with weak circular chitinous plates (thoracic shield and anal

shield), and are furnished with numerous small-haired warts.

Figure 2.

OtneocUcL larva.

“ The thoracic legs are of the usual pattern, generally weakly

chitinized. The prolegs are completely developed circle-feet ; on

the anal claspers the hooks form a semicircle open posteriorly. It

is very noteworthy that in very young larvae the prolegs and anal

legs are wholly without hooks.

“ The larvae are unicolorous, yellowish or reddish- white , without

markings ; before pupation they often assume a reddish colora¬

tion.”

The accompanying sketch (Fig. 2) , which must be taken to give a

general idea of an Orneodid larva rather than that of any particular

species, has been drawn partly from descriptions, partly from pre¬

served larvae received from Herr A. Bang-Haas, and partly from

microscopic preparations of larvae of 0. hexadactyla kindly lent by

Dr. T. A. Chapman.

Pupa.

In their pupal state especially the Orneodidae are seen to be

strikingly distinct from the Pterophoridae, with which group, as

THE PLTJME-MOTHS OF CEYLON.

155

previously pointed out, the Orneodidae have no real relationship,

although both groups are popularly included under the same

trivial name of “ Plume-moths.”

The pupa of 0. hexadactyla is brown, and resembles in its external

appearance the pupae of the true Noctuids, Pyralids, and Tineids ;

it is short and squat, and (without regard to minute single hairs,

only visible under high magnification) is smooth and glossy. In this

respect alone it is strikingly different from the Pterophorid pupa.

“ The head -plate (Cephalotheca) is strikingly large (as in many

Pyralids and Tineids, whilst in the Pterophorids it is very small).

On the lower side of the head-plate upper groove (‘ Oberlippe ’) and

upper jaw (‘ Oberkiefer ’) are clearly marked, the labial palpi on the

contrary only small and indistinct between the roots of the long

maxillae ; no traces of maxillary palpi are present. The very slender

prothorax, as well as the mesothorax and metathorax, correspond

in their proportions to those of the imago.

Figure 3.

Pupa of Orneodes hexadactyla (after Chapman).

“ The forewing-covers are broad with stumpy tips forming almost

a right angle, and reach as far as the posterior margin of the fifth

abdominal segment ; they are free at their outermost extremity ;

through the covers are clearly seen the six segments of the wing as

so many dark streaks, segments 1 and 2 connected at their bases,

as are also 3, 4, and 5, but 6 quite free.

“The hind wings are long and slender, and first disappear under

the forewing-covers at the posterior margin of the fourth abdominal

segment.

“ The antenna-sheaths are as long as the fore wing-covers ; the

sheaths of the first and second pairs of legs on the contrary are

shorter; of the first, the sheaths of the trochanters and femora

(‘ Hiiften ’) occupy a comparatively broad space between the

maxillae and second pair of legs. The third pair of legs lies under

the second, and projects freely a little above the wings up to the

posterior margin of the sixth abdominal segment.

156

SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

The first four abdominal segments are very broad, and are

almost concealed by the thorax on the one side and the wing- and

leg-sheatlis on the other.

“ The much more slender segments 5 and 6 (in the male 7 also,

according to Chapman) are freely movable. The likewise very

slender segments 7, 8, 9, and 10 (in the male only 8, 9, and 10- —

Chapman) are again firmly ankylosed, and together form the blunt-

rounded end of the pupa, which in many species is provided at the

tip with a number of hooked unbent hairs.

“ In the emerged pupa the abdominal segments 7, 8, 9, and 10 are

somewhat pushed in under the free edge of the sixth abdominal

segment.” (Hofmann, Z.c., pp. 341-342.)

Chapman notes (T. E. S., 1896, pp. 137-139) that “ the dehiscence

is of very nearly the macro type, the antennae separating from the

head, the eye-covers remaining attached to the face-piece. It

retains one, and only one, very marked micro character, viz., the

Figure 4.

•Dehiscence OrneocUcl |>u’|3Q. .

„ Chaf^man^

1)^,3 Tejex to segments *, 0 zz eye )

0.= antenna. 1 ^ leg j m - mft.M II a .

possession of a dorsal head-plate ; not only so, but this plate is

of immense size, whilst the pro thorax is correspondingly reduced.

Contrarily the pupa of Pterophorus retains most of the characters of

a micro, the one that it has almost lost is this liead-plate, which is

nearly evanescent, although it retains the function of carrying the

eye-cover on dehiscence.

“ Both have then been derived from the micro stirps, as we know,

indeed, that all pupae have been ; but the routes have obviously

been divided for so long a period that it is justifiable to describe

them as in nowise related, less probably than any two families of

macros .

“ The dehiscence (of the Orneodid pupa) is quite macro in charac¬

ter, the antennae separating from the face head parts, which remain

attached to the eye-covers ; the lower parts of the appendage covers

remain in situ, and are only separated at the head. There is a femur

157

THE PLUME-MOTHS OF CEYLON.

case shown, and the second leg reaches the head. The maxilla and

first leg fall short, and expose a portion of the third leg, between

and beyond the second. The appendages project freely over the

fifth and sixth segments.

“ The anal armature consists of ten or twelve fine spines, little

more than hairs, curved and crossing one another in lyre shape, and

having a fine recurved flattened extremity. There is also a small

bristle above and below each (exposed) abdominal spiracle.”

Key to Genera of Sinhalese Orneodid^j.

Hind wing with six segments . . . . Orneodefe

Hindwing with seven segments . . . . Triscaedecia

ORNEODES, Latr.

Antennae in male minutely ciliated. Labial palpi 3-jointed ;

first joint very short, second joint much longer and usually straight,

third sometimes nearly as long as second, sometimes much

shorter. Maxillary palpi usually quite rudimentary, concealed

under the scaling (in pygmcea minute, acuminate ; in trachyptera

well developed). Haustellum moderate. Legs moderately long,

rather stout, closely scaled ; fore -tibia in male usually with

( ? androconial) tuft of scales ; posterior tibial spurs moderately

developed. Abdomen short and thick set. Fore- and hind-wing

each cleft into six segments ; neuration completely developed,

but in forewing veins 5,6, 9, 10 are often weakly developed or

absent ; no true discal cell in either wing. The sixth segment of

hindwing usually provided in the male with a characteristic scent-

apparatus composed of an elongated deep fold or pocket, open above ,

projecting below, in which lie long yellowish erectile sensory hairs,

very regularly striped longitudinally, rounded at the tip, arranged

distally ; in the female the fold is present, but without the scent-

scales. Cilia without the ramified hair-scales so characteristic of the

Pterophoridae.

Artificial Key to Species of Orneodes.

^ [Expanse under 10 mm. . . . . 2

[Expanse 10 mm. or over . . . . 3

Sixth segment h.w. much stouter than other

2 segments . . . . . . miscroscopica

j Sixth segment h.w. not stouter than other

\ segments . . . . . . pygmcea

3 ( Costa of f .w. with large patches of rough scales trachyptera

i Costa of f . w. without such . . ^ f i . . 4

^ f General colour bright ochreous-orange iC-H .. thapsina

| General colour not bright ochre o us -orange . . 5

g J Expanse over 20 mm. .. .. niphostrota

{ Expanse under 20 mm. . . . . 6

158

SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

9*

10

11

^ Ground-colour of f.w. dark-brown or blackish

, Ground-colour of f.w. not dark-brown or

( blackish

Dorsal surface of 3rd abdominal segment wholly

ochreous-white

'Dorsal surface of 3rd abdominal segment not

wholly ochreous-white

[Abdomen brownish-ochreous with two large

, white dorsal spots

[ Abdomen not so marked

( Third palp%l joint short, clothed with rough

I scales, expanded at apex

| Third palpal joint long, slender, without rough

scales, apex not expanded

/Ground-colour of wings pale ochreous-buff

| Ground-colour of wing white . .

J First segment of f.w. fuscous on basal half . .

1 First segment of f.w. not fuscous on basal half

* See text figure 5.

7

8

mesolychna

montigena

ischalea

9

pinalea

10

toxophila

11

sycophanta

postfasciata

Figure 5.

>Secon<L a-nT-lfurl

jaaljaal joints

°f

1- 0. Co^hauta. ;

Z. 0 . "binalea.

Orneooes PYGMiEA, Meyr.

(Plate G, figure 1.)

Alucita pygmcea, Meyrick, Proc. Linn. Soc. , N. S. Wales,

1889, pp. 1112-1113.

As the original brief description of this species, made from

Queensland examples, is not very accessible to workers in Ceylon,

1 have thought it best to draw up the following re description from

Sinhalese specimens : —

Male and female. Expanse 8-9 mm. Labial palpi white ; second

joint expanded with scales apically, and suffused with fuscous

beneath apex ; third joint cylindrical, rather rough-scaled, about half

length of second. Maxillary palpi minute, acuminate. Antennae

whitish, faintly dotted beneath with pale oclireous-brown, finely

ciliated. Head white, sprinkled with dark fuscous on vertex.

THE PLUME-MOTHS OF CEYLON.

159

Thorax white, with patches of thick dark-fuscous irroration especially

evident as a transverse line on prothorax and on and above patagia.

Abdomen white, suffused with ochreous-f uscous , second segment

with a large conspicuous dark-fuscous blotch on each side. Legs

white, fore-tibia and fore-tarsus dark-fuscoiis, hind-tarsus banded

with dark-fuscous at bases of joints.

Fore wing cleft firstly from about J, secondly from near base,

thirdly from about J, fourthly from within J, ^fthly from near base,

segments 2-6 per linear, first segment very narrow, scarcely twice

breadth of second : white : first segment with two small blackish

costal blotches, first subbasal, second at about -J-, followed by three

outwardly-oblique broad transverse ochreo us-brown bars, blackish-

fuscous on costa, outer edge of third bar very oblique, and continued

along hinder margin of segment into apex to form an ill-defined

ochreous-brown apical blotch , an oclireous-brown longitudinal blotch

on hinder margin of segments 1+2 near base ; segments 2 — 6 with

about seven broad ochreous-brown transverse bars sprinkled with

blackish narrowly preceded and followed by blackish, seventh bar

terminal, first two bars ill-defined and sometimes confluent ; on the

third segment the fifth bar is much broader than the sixth or seventh

bars, so that the penultimate and antepenultimate white patches of

ground-colour are here distinctly displaced outwards as compared

with the position of similar patches on segments 2 and 4. Cilia

white, ochreous-brown opposite transverse bars.

Hindwing white, crossed transversely by seven broad ochreous-

brown black-sprinkled bars narrowly preceded and followed by

blackish, seventh bar very narrow, terminal. Cilia white, ochreous-

brown opposite transverse bars.

In Ceylon this species appears to occur in scrubby jungle in the

dry parts of the low-country. I took it at Hambantota on October

18 and November 8, 1908, when it appeared to be associated with

a Capparis , which is possibly its food plant. Although not previously

recorded from Ceylon, my collection also contains specimens from

Matale (August 15, 1906 ; Pole) and from Madulsima in April, 1907

( Vaughan).

Outside of Ceylon 0. pygmcea occurs in Queensland at Brisbane

and Duaringa, where it is said to swarin sometimes by thousands

in the scrub. Mr. Meyrick kindly informs me also that he has

received it from Cuddapah, 4,000 feet, in South India (Campbell).

Orneodes montigena, n.s.

(Plate G, figure 2.)

Expanse 10 mm. Labial palpi rather short, whitish : second joint

light fuscous at apex, which is expanded exteriorly by an acuminate

scale-tuft ; third joint about J length of second, rather rough-scaled,

expanded apically with long hair-scales. Antennae finely ciliated,

beneath whitish, above pale brownish, on basal half clearly annulated

SPOLTA ZEYLANIOA.

160

with white. Head whitish, on back of crown fuscous, on vertex

rough-scaled. Thorax ochreous-brown irrorated with white. Ab¬

domen ochreous-brown finely irrorated with blackish, posterior

margins of segments narrowly edged with white. Legs whitish :

fore-tibia dilated beneath with a small scale-tuft, fore -tibia and

fore -tarsus suffused above with fuscous, hind- tarsus with bases of

joints banded with very pale fuscous.

Forewing cleft firstly from about J, secondly from near base,

thirdly from about J, fourthly from within i, fifthly from near base,

first segment narrow, others perlinear, first segment at base twice

breadth of second : pale ochreous-brown finely striated transversely

with blackish : first segment with a white costal dot at about } and

outwardly- oblique transverse white bars at J, J- , J, and f ; segments

2-6 cut transversely by six narrow white bars, preceded and followed

by fine black lines ; on the third segment the third and fourth white

bars are displaced outwards relatively to the positions of those on

segments 2 and 4. Cilia very pale ochreous-brown, white opposite

white bars.

Hindwing cleft into six perlinear segments, firstly from about

secondly from base, thirdly from about fourthly and fifthly from

near base : pale ochreous-brown finely striated transversely witli

blackish, crossed by about six narrow white bars, preceded and

followed by blackish. Cilia very pale ochreous-brown, white

opposite white bars.

Described from a single specimen taken by myself at Ohiya

(6,000 feet), on the borders of Uva and the Central Province,

Ceylon, on August 25, 1906.

Observation. — This is possibly a montane form of O. pygmcea, Meyr. ,

from which species it appears to me, however, to be separated by the

following characters : (i.) Its larger size ; (ii.) the distinctly annulated

antennae, only very faintly marked in pygmcea ; (iii.) the darker

colour of the abdomen, and especially the absence on segment 2 of

the white dorsal patch and lateral blackish blotches so conspicuous

in pygmcea ; (iv.) the greater breadth of the first segment of the

fore wing in comparison with the second segment ; (v.) the much

narrower white bars on the first segment of forewing. A larger

series will doubtless settle in the future the question of the specific

distinctness of pygmcea and the present form.

Orneodes ischalea, Meyr.

(Plate G, figure 3.)

Orneodes ischalea , Meyrick, B. J., XVI., 583.

The original description reads : — “ Male 13 mm. Head white,

back of crown mixed with fuscous. Palpi white, externally fuscous-

tinged. Antennae whitish. Thorax whitish, mixed with fuscous.

Abdomen whitish, irrorated with fuscous, with a clear white trape¬

zoidal dorsal patch before, middle, and a spot beyond middle. Legs

THE PLUME-MOTHS OF CEYLON.

161

white, anterior femora and the tibiae infuscated above. Forewings

and hind wings whitish-ochreous, crossed by six white irregular lines

edged with fuscous irroration, sixth terminal ; base of fore wing

mixed with dark fuscous, costa spotted alternately with white and

dark fuscous ; cilia alternately whitish-ochreous and whitish.”

This species was originally described from a single specimen taken

at Pundaluoya in February by Green. I have examples from

Madulsima in November, 1906 (Vaughan), and from Haldummulla

in October-November, 1908 (Ormistori), and Mr. Meyrick writes that

he has it also from Maskeliya.

Orneodes mesolychna, Meyr.

(Plate G, figure 4.)

Orneodes mesolychna , Meyrick, T. E. S., 1907, 508.

“Male and female. 9-11 mm. Head ochreous- whitish, crown

suffusedly mixed with blackish-gray. Palpi moderate, curved,

ascending, transverse-flattened, terminal joint somewhat shorter

than second ; whitish, with apical band of second joint and median

band of terminal joint blackish-gray. Antennae ochreous- white.

Abdomen rather dark fuscous, third segment ochreous- white,

segments 4-6 edged posteriorly towards middle with white , towards

sides with black, ventral surface ochreous-white. Legs whitish,

anterior femora and tibiae suffused with dark gray externally, apex

of middle femora with a dark gray dot. Forewings ochreous-

yellow ; basal area irrorated with blackish ; a moderate fascia of

blackish irroration edged with white before \ ; first segment with

three, other segments crossed by two rather broad fasciae of blackish

irroration edged by white lines margined with two rows of black

scales ; a slender blackish subapical fascia, and tips of segments also

blackish : cilia dark gray, barred witli whitish on white markings.

Hindwings whitish, with about ten irregular transverse bars of

blackish irroration, alternate interspaces ochreous-yellowish : cilia

as in fore wings, but whitish bars wider.”

In Ceylon this species has as yet been taken only at Maskeliya ;

outside of Ceylon it is known from the Khasi Hills in Assam.

1 have seen no examples from Ceylon, and am indebted to Mr.

Meyrick for the loan of a Khasi specimen for figuring.

Orneodes pinalea, Meyr.

(Plate G, figure 5.)

Orneodes pinalea, Meyrick, T. E. S., 1907, 506.

“ Male aind female. 13-18 mm. Head white, crown more or less

mixed with dark fuscous. Palpi moderately long, ascending, loosely

scaled anteriorly, terminal joint half second ; white, second joint

externally more or less sprinkled with gray, terminal joint with a

dark gray median band. Antennae pale whitish-ochreous. Thorax

2 a 6(8)10

162 ' SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

white . Abdomen white, second segment with small blackish

subdorsal spots, anal tuft of male whitish-ochreous. Legs white,

anterior tibiae suffused with dark gray. Forewings white ; first

segment with about ten pale yellowish spots partially edged with

dark fuscous irroration, alternate ones more strongly suffused with

dark fuscous ; other segments crossed by six moderately broad pale

yellowish fasciae edged with blackish irroration, fourth broadest,

represented on sixth segment by a blackish spot : cilia white, on

fasciae pale yellowish. Hind wings white ; fasciae mostly reduced to

single dots of blackish irroration, but postmedian fascia faintly

yellowish ; sixth segment with three posterior dots only.”

This species, which is not as yet known from any locality outside

of Ceylon, was originally described from specimens collected at

Madulsima and Wellawaya in November. I have a single example

taken at Mankulam in November, 1908 (De Mowbray).

Orneodes postfasciata, n. s.

(Plate G, figure 6.)

Male. Expanse 15 mm. Labial palpi long, cylindrical, white,

slightly suffused beneath with yellowish-brown ; third joint about

| length of second. Antennae whitish, minutely ciliated. Head

and thorax white. Legs white : fore-femur suffused above on

terminal half with blackish ; fore-tibia suffused with blackish, and

provided with a scale-tuft beneath. Abdomen white, third segment

suffused with blackish-fuscous. Spina of frenulum very long and

strong.

Forewing cleft from about f, near base, about f , J, and from near

base ; first segment narrow, others linear ; white : a faint subbasal

blackish-fuscous costal spot ; first segment with outer third faintly

suffused with pale brown, posterior margin of segment indistinctly

edged with blackisli-fuscous at about J and beyond § length of

segment ; second segment with a longitudinal blackish-fuscous spot

on anterior margin at base, cut at f by a broad blackish-fuscous bar

and by narrow pale brown bars at | and before termen ; third

segment with a blackish-fuscous dot on anterior margin at | on a

narrow indistinct anteterminal pale-brown bar ; fourth segment cut

by a dark-fuscous line near base, and an indistinct pale-brown bar

before termen ; fifth segment with pale anteterminal bar ; sixth

segment with a strong patch of blackish scales (? androconia) at J,

cut at § by a narrow blackish-fuscous bar and before termen by an

indistinct pale-brown bar. Cilia white : on posterior margin of first

segment mixed with blackish at about J and beyond f, on fore-

margin of second segment dark-fuscous at J and f.

Hindwing cleft from about J, base, J, base, and base ; segments

linear : white : all segments narrowly and irregularly suffused with

blackish-fuscous at base, crossed slightly before J by a broad blackish

bar forming a conspicuous fascia across the whole wing, beyond this

THE PLUME-MOTHS OE CEYLON.

163

bar crossed on segments 1-4 by three, on segments 5 and 6 by only

two, narrower blackish -brown bars. Cilia white, pale brownish

opposite dark bars.

A distinct little species, easily recognized by its pure- white colour

and the conspicuous dark fascia across the centre of the hindwing.

Described from two examples (of which the former is the type)

taken by myself at light on Sober Island, in Trincomalee Harbour,

on November 4 and December 8, 1906. Mr. Meyrick, who has

kindly examined the type, remarks that he has an apparently

similar specimen collected in the Central Province by Mr. G. B.

de Mowbray.

Orneodes sycophanta, Meyr.

(Plate H, figure 7.)

Orneodes sycophanta, Meyrick, B. J., XVII., 133.

“ Male and female. 15-18 mm. Head and thorax white. Palpi

smooth-scaled, white, apex of basal and second joints and subapical

ring of terminal joint dark fuscous. Antennae stout, serrate,

whitish-ochreous, basal joint white. Abdomen white, segments

2-4 partially or wholly dark fuscous above (number of dark segments

variable). Fore wings white ; first segment fuscous, with four

blackish white-edged spots, fourth apical ; second segment fuscous,

with three dark fuscous bands, limited by white spots edged with

blackish-fuscous ; segments 3-6 crossed by two anterior series of

undefined dark fuscous dots, and four posterior pale grayish-ochreous

fasciae, edged with dark fuscous, but these vary much in distinctness,

and are often partially obsolete ; usually a distinct blackish-fuscous

spot on middle of sixth segment. Hindwings white, with six

transverse series of pale ochreous spots, speckled with black.”

To the above I would add that the third palpal joint is about f the

length of the second ; that the head is white, the crown with large

ill-defined blackish spots above and between bases of antennae ; that

the legs are whitish, the fore -femur exteriorly blackish on terminal

half, the fore-tibia blackish with a long scale-tuft on inner side ; and

that the first segment of the fore wing is about twice the breadth of

the secbnd segment.

This species only appears to be known from Maskeliya, where it

has been taken by Mr. Pole in January, April, May, and July.

I am indebted to Mr. Meyrick for the loan of the specimen from

which the figure has been drawn.

*

Orneodes toxophila, Meyr.

(Plate H, figure 8.)

Orneodes toxophila, Meyrick, B. J., XVII., 133.

u Male. 15-16 mm. Head and thorax white. Palpi with

appressed scales, white, towards base sprinkled with fuscous.

164

SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

Antennae ochreo us- whitish, basal joint white. Abdomen whitisli-

ochreous. Forewings ochreous- whitish, crossed by ill-defined light

yellow-ochreous bands before and beyond middle, and a narrow

curved darker central fascia, sometimes partially speckled with dark

fuscous, not reaching sixth segment, separated from them by fine

lines of ground colour ; sometimes a few fine blackish specks on

segments ; sometimes a faint yellowish sub terminal line. Hind-

wings as forewings, but central fascia fuscous, sprinkled with

blackish, entire, dark specks on segments rather more numerous,

sub terminal line sometimes grayish towards dorsum.”

This appears to be one of the most widely -distributed of our species

of Orneodes. It was originally described from Maskeliya specimens

taken by He Mowbray in April and June, and my collection contains

examples from this locality in January and March (De Mowbray).

I also have it from Madulsima in October (Vaughan), from Bibile

in November, 1907 ( Mackwood ), and from Kegalla in October-

November, 1908 ( Ormiston ), and at lamp in bungalow at Kegalla

(1,000 ft.) on October 11, 1909 (Ormiston).

Outside of Ceylon O. toxophila occurs in South India. Mr. Mey-

rick informs me that he has received this species from N. Coorg,

3,500 feet ( Newcombe ). The British Museum collection also contains

two specimens from the Nilgiri Hills (Hampson) ; Sir George Hamp-

son kindly informs me that these were collected by him in September

at Nadgani (3,000 feet), on the western slopes of the Nilgiris.

Orneodes thapsina, Meyr.

(Plate H, figure 9.)

Orneodes thapsina , Meyrick, B. J., XVI., 583.

“ Male. 21 mm. Head whitish- ochreous, crown ochreous-yellow.

Palpi and antennae ochreous- whitish. Thorax ochreous- orange,

partially sprinkled with fuscous. Abdomen ochreous-orange,

segmental margins white. Legs whitish, anterior femora and tibiae

dark fuscous above, Forewings orange- ochreous, towards base

partially suffused with fuscous, posterior f crossed by four irregular

whitish lines, partially obscurely edged with a fuscous tinge ; tips of

segments pale or whitish, with a minute dark fuscous terminal dot :

cilia alternately whitish- ochreous and whitish. Hindwings whitish ;

segments 1-5- with six, segment 6 with three ochreous bars irregularly

edged with dark fuscous irroration ; cilia as in forewings . Only

comparable in general colouring with the Australian O. xanthodes ,

from which, however, it is quite distinct.”

This is another species which, so far as we know at present, is

quite peculiar to the Maskeliya district, where the original specimens

were taken in February. My own examples were collected in

September, 1905 (ex Coll. Green), and in October and December

(Pole.)

THE PLUME-MOTHS OF CEYLON.

165

- Orneodes niphostrota, Meyr.

(Plate H, figure 10.)

Orneodes niphostrota, Meyrick, T. E. S., 1907, 507.

• “ Male and female. 21-22 mm. Head and thorax white tinged

or sprinkled with pale ochreous. Palpi moderate, ascending, loosety

scaled, terminal joint § of second ; gray , terminal joint white towards

apex. Antennae pale whitish ochreous. Abdomen whitish, with

subbasal and subapical bands and lateral stripes of fuscous irroration.

Legs whitish, anterior femora and tibiae suffused with dark fuscous

externally. Forewings white ; basal half tinged with ochreous and

partially sprinkled with dark fuscous, especially on base of costa

and towards base of lowest cleft ; segments crossed by four fuscous

fasciae sprinkled with blackish, and an additional blotch on first two

segments between third and fourth fasciae, the blotch and upper

half of second fascia darker than the rest, first three fasciae moderate,

angulated on fourth segment, first obsolete towards costa, third

narrow on fourth and fifth segments, fourth narrow throughout,

subapical, all widely separated on sixth segment : cilia ochreous-

whitish, slightly tinged with fuscous on fasciae. Hindwings white ;

basal third irrorated with dark fuscous, except at base ; segments

crossed by four rather narrow curved or angulated fuscous fasciae

sprinkled with blackish : cilia as in fore wings.’ 5

This is another species which is so far known only from the

Maskeliya district, where the type -specimens were taken in October

and January. My two examples, for which I am indebted to

Messrs. Pole and De Mowbray, were both collected at light in

September.

Orneodes microscopica , n. s.

Male. Expanse 7 mm. Labial palpi moderately long, porrect,

third joint about half length of second ; pale fuscous-gray, banded

with dark fuscous at apices of joints. Antennse fuscous, roughened

with scales above. Head fuscous, a white spot on vertex between

the prominent black eyes. Thorax fuscous, grayish anteriorly and

laterally. Abdomen fuscous, paler on first two segments. Legs

pale grayish ; spurs on posterior tibia long and strong, the inner

proximal spur much the longest.

Fore wing cleft firstly from slightly beyond J, secondly from about

5 , thirdly from slightly beyond J, fourthly from rather beyond J,

fifthly from slightly within £■ ; first segment narrow, segments 2-6

linear : pale gray : first segment with six fuscous-brown costal

spots, fourth at J, very broad and bar-like, nearly reaching fifth

(at |), which is also broad but narrower than the fourth; other

segments apparently crossed by several narrow transverse fuscous-

brown bands only distinct towards termen ; all segments with a

minute blackish-fuscous terminal dot, that in first segment largest

166

SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

and most distinct. Cilia whitish-gray, intermixed with thick dark-

fuscous hair-scales opposite darker spots and bands.

Hindwing cleft firstly from about f, secondly from near base,

thirdly from about f, fourthly from about fifthly from slightly

within \ ; segments 1-5 linear, sixth segment stout, apparently

forming extremity of a large glandular sac contained within and

along dorsal margin of wing : whitish -gray, irregularly irrorated and

crossed by about six ill-defined fuscous-brown transverse bands,

of which a terminal and subterminal are the darkest and most

distinct ; ground-colour of whole of sixth segment, to base of wing,

conspicuously darker. Cilia whitish-gray irregularly intermixed

with dark-fuscous hair-scales, which are well developed opposite

darker markings on segments.

Figure 6.

Type (No. 7,684) in Coll. Bainbrigge Fletcher.

Habitat. — Ceylon, North-Central Province, Anuradhapura.

November, 1908 (G. B. de Mowbray).

Observation. — The unique type-specimen is unfortunately in poor

condition, and I should have hesitated to describe it as a novelty,

were its specific distinctness dependent on mere colour-markings.

Its minute size, however, combined with the proportionate fission

of the wings, and especially the extraordinarily thickened sixth

segment of the hind wing, sufficiently characterize 0. microscopica as

distinct from every other species hitherto described in this family.

It is still smaller than O. pygmcea , which has been described as

“ much the smallest species of the genus.” 0. nannodactyla, Rebel,

also expanding only 7 mm. and described from Sokotra, is apparently

very near 0. pygmcea , Meyr., but lias the third palpal joint very

short and almost hidden in the scaling of the second joint.

THE PLITME-MOTHS OE CEYLON.

167

Orneodes trachyptera, Meyr.

(Plate H, figure 11.)

Orneodes trachyptera , Meyrick, B. J., XVII., 134.

“ Male and female. 10-13 mm. Head, palpi, antennae, thorax,

and abdomen dark -fuscous, mixed with whitish ; palpi with second

joint dilated with rough scales towards apex above and beneath,

terminal joint thickened with loose scales towards apex anteriorly.

Forewings with costa roughened with projecting dark fuscous scales,

except on the white markings ; whitish , densely irrorated with dark

fuscous, so as to appear dark gray ; costa with six or seven small

semioval ochreous-white spots, not reaching more than half across

first segment ; other segments crossed by about six series of ochreous-

white dots, united by outwardly oblique whitish dashes in the cilia

to form zigzag lines. Hindwings with ground-colour and zigzag

lines as in fore wings.

“Six specimens, Puttalam and Maskeliya, in March, May,

November, and December {Pole, De Mowbray).”

This blackish little species, easily recognized by its roughened

costa, is further remarkable in having the maxillary palpi well

developed and clearly visible beyond the scaling of the head. It

should probably be separated generically from Orneodes.

In Ceylon 0. trachyptera usually occurs in the dry jungly districts

of the low-country, where it sometimes comes into light freely.

My own specimens are from Wellawaya in November, 1905 {Green),

from Mankulam and Anuradhapura in November, 1908 {De Mowbray),

and from Nikaweratiya (between Puttalam and Kurunegala) at

light on November 11, 1909. (Ormiston). Mr. Meyrick tells me that

he has it from Eppawela and Rambukkana.

Outside of Ceylon it is as yet known only from N. Coorg, 3,500 ft.

(Meyrick Coll.).

TRisciEDECiA, Hmpsn.

“ Proboscis fully developed ; [labial] palpi with the second joint

porrect, about twice length of head and broadly fringed with hair

below, the third oblique, moderate ; antennae of male ciliated ;

tibiae with projecting tufts of hair at the spurs. Forewing divided

into six plumes to rather more than one-tliird length (from within

two-thirds) ; the costa with six tufts of scales ; the scaling rough ;

vein 3 from well before angle of cell ; 4-5 from angle ; 6 from below

upper angle ; 7-8 stalked ; 9, 10, 11 from cell. Hindwing divided

into seven plumes to half length ; veins 3-4 from angle of cell ;

5 absent ; 6-7 from upper angle ; 8 free, from base.”

This genus is remarkable amongst the Orneodidae, not only in

the six-cleft hindwing, but in possessing well-developed maxillary

palpi — a feature which is unaccountably omitted from the original

description reproduced above.

SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

168

Triscjsdecia dactyloptera, Hmpsn.

Trisccedecia dactyloptera, Hampson, T. E. S., 1905, 247-248 (fig.).

“ Male. Head, thorax, and abdomen clothed with whitish, pale

brown, and black scales ; antennse and legs mixed with whitish ;

abdomen with diffused blackish bands.

Fore wing clothed with grayish, pale brown, and black scales ; the

costa with whitish spots between the [six] black tufts of scales ; the

cell with small black lunules followed by whitish spots at middle

and extremity ; traces of a diffused oblique whitish band from lower

angle of cell to inner margin ; an indistinct slightly waved whitish

postmedial line ; the plumes with white spots at base and subterminal

and terminal series of white lunules.

THscae3.ec i a 3aef^lo]btera .

m. p. Maxillary palp.

Hindwing with the basal half white with diffused irregular black

antemedial and two medial lines on it, the first of the medial lines

arising from a discoidal bar ; a slightly waved whitish postmedial

line ; the plumes with white spots at base fan d subterminal and

terminal series of white lunules.

Habitat. — Ceylon, Maskeliya (J. Pole), Oliiya (Gossage). Expanse

26 mm. Type in B. M.”

Reference to the specimens in the National Collection shows that

the type of this species is the Maskeliya specimen referred to above.

My own examples are from Maskeliya (De Mowbray , Pole ) and

Madulsima (Vaughan). The only other example which I have seen

is a very old one, without definite locality, which I found in the

Colombo Museum figuring under the name of Tinm (!) alucitana.

SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

PI. G.

ORNE ODIDJE.

West,Newman del.etlith.

SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

PI. H.

ORNEODIDJE.

West, Newman, del. et litli.

THE PLUME-MOTHS OF CEYLON.

169

Explanation of Plates G and H.

All the figures in these plates have been drawn by Messrs. West,

Newman, direct from specimens of the various species (all previously

unfigured). They are all considerably magnified, the natural size being-

shown by the scale against each principal figure. In all cases the

figures lettered la, 2a, &c., represent a profile view of the head of the

species figured under the corresponding number.

Plate G.

Fig. 1. — Orneodes pygmcea, Meyr.

Fig. 2. — Orneodes montig ena, n. s.

Fig. 3. — Orneodes ischalea, Meyr.

Fig. 4. — Orneodes mesolychna , Meyr.

Fig. 5. — Orneodes pinalea, Meyr.

Fig. 6. — Orneodes postfasciata , n. s.

Plate H.

Fig. 7. — Orneodes sycophanta , Meyr.

Fig. 8. — Orneodes toxophila , Meyr.

Fig. 9. — Orneodes thapsina , Meyr.

Fig. 10. — Orneodes niphostrota, Meyr.

Fig. 1 1 . — Orneodes trachyptera , Meyr.

Fig. 1 16. — Portion of first segment of forewing of O. trachyptera , more

highly magnified, to show costal tufts.

2 B

6(8)10

170

SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

NOTES ON CEYLON OIPTERA,

By E. Brunette

IHE following notes are compiled on Ceylonese specimens which

have come under my notice during the last two or three years,

the bulk of them having been sent me by that indefatigable collector

Mr. E. E. Green, nearly all the species being preserved in my own

collection. When the source of supply or the presence of the

specimens referred to is otherwise, it is herein stated.

Mycetophilidce. — Several species ; including at least three or four

new to science, which will be described in my forthcoming paper

on this family. They include a large handsome Platyura , of which,

however, all three examples are in bad condition.

Pselliophora taprobanes , Wlk. — Two females of this Tipulid from

Peradeniya, X. and XII. 07.

Rhyphus maculipennis , V. W. — One, Peradeniya.

Plecia fulvicollis , E. — Not uncommon. X. 07 at Kandy and

VI. 09 (no definite locality).

Psychoda, sp. nov. — Three specimens of a handsome new species.

Maskeliya, January. To be described shortly.

Simulium, sp. — A single example, Ohiya, XI. 07.

Ptilocera fastuosa, Gerst. — Not uncommon. Two males, four

females, Kandy, taken X., XI., XII., 07. Probably the commonest

species in this region, of Ptilocera.

P. continua , Wlk. — Three males, Kandy.

Tinda indica, Wlk. — One male, Yatiyantota, III. 1902.

Sargus metallinus, F. — Generally common.

Ptecticus ferrugineus , Dol. — One, “ Ceylon.”

P. , sp. — Two specimens of a large species (16 mm.) with all yellowish

gray wings, four black abdominal bands, black hind tibiae and

metatarsi, the following tarsal joint white. Kandy, 5 IX. 09.

Microchrysa flaviventris , V. W. — Not rare, Peradeniya, VII. and

VIII. 09. One specimen bred by Mr. Green from diseased cotton

bolls.

Ephippium, sp. nov. — Two females, VIII. 08 and V. 09. Will be

described in an early paper on “ New Oriental Diptera.”

Tabanus albimedius, Wlk. — Peradeniya, X. 07. One female.

T. ditceniatus, Meg. — One female taken at light by Mr. Paiva on

board ship 4 miles off Tuticorin, 25 V. 08. Received by exchange

with the Indian Museum, where a series from the same source is to

be found.

Aiherix limfoata, Big. — One male, Maskeliya, March.

NOTES ON CEYLON DIPTERA.

171

Chrysopilus magnipennis, Brun. — The type of this species is from

Maskeliya taken in August, since receiving which a second female

has been sent me (in bad condition) from Kandy, IX. 07, and a third

female in good condition from Kandy, VII. 09. Described by me

in Rec. Ind. Mus., III., 213.

Hyperalonia sphinx , F. — On my way out to the East I took two

females at Colombo, 1 VII. 04, both the worse for wear.

Exoprosopa collaris, W. — One female, Trincomalee, IX. 09.

E. flammea , Brun. — One female, Dambulla, VIII. 09. The species

described by me in Rec. Ind. Mus., II., 466, from a single female in

the Indian Museum, from Pusa, 17 IV. 07.

Argyramoeha distigma , W. — One or two from Kandy.

A. ceylonica, Brun. — The type in my collection described in

Rec. Ind. Mus., II., 471, from Kandy, with two other males, October

and November, 1907. Also occurs at Pusa, VII. and VIII.

A. fulvula, W. ( degenera , Wlk.). — Herr Kertesz gives this species

(< degenera , Wlk.) as synonymous with fulvula , W. , and refers the latter

species to Argyramoeha. In my recent revised ‘ ‘ Catalogue of Oriental

Bombylidae ” it was retained under Anthrax , the description being

insufficient to enable me to judge.

Anthrax , sp., near afra, F., with basal half of wing black, and

silver tip to abdomen. Kandy, VII. 09.

Bombylius wulpii , Brun. ( Comastes pulchellus, V. W.). — A pair

in cop. of this handsome little species, Peradeniya, IV. 09 ; an

additional male, Kandy, VIII. 09 ; an additional female, Kandy,

VII. 09. See Rec. Ind. Mus. , II. , 457 , for my synonymy and reasons

for change of name.

B. propinquus, Brun. — One, Haragama, January, 08, a male, is

the type, described in Rec. Ind. Mus., III., 226, a unique.

Syneches hicolor, Big. (Pterospilus , id.). — Not rare. I have seen

several from Kandy, V. and IX. 09.

Baccha nubilipennis , Aust.— Four males from Kandy, X., XI. 07.

B. pulchrifrons , Aust. — Two males, Peradeniya, XI. 07.

Syrphus salvice, W. — Generally common during summer.

S. cegrotus, F. — As above. Both species, I believe, are now

relegated to Asarcina.

Megaspis crassus , F. , and M. zonalis, F. — Both sexes of both species

are generally common throughout the summer.

Mr. Austen informs me that Megaspis will have to be super¬

seded.

Chrysotoxum citronellum, Brun. — The type (male) , a unique, is from

Kandy, XII. 07, described in Rec. Ind. Mus., II., 90.

Microdon auricintus , Brun. — The type male is from Kandy , X. 07,

whilst I possess females from Kandy, IV., V., and IX.

M. ? flavipes, Brun. — A large female from “ Nitre Cave,” Ceylon,

VII. 02, is apparently this species, which was described (Rec. Ind.

Mus. , II. , 92) from specimens in the Indian Museum.

172

SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

Conors erythrocephala , F. — Two males from Colombo, IV. 09, and

Kandy, XII. 07, respectively.

Lucilia dux , Erichs. — Generally common, probably all the year

round, being one of the most generally distributed of the “ scaven¬

ger ” flies in the East, a cognomen which is somewhat misleading,

as it probably (in company with most, if not all, others of its genus

and of all allied genera) transmits more disease than any other fly,

excepting perhaps Musca domestica and the immediate allies of that

species.

Pycnosoma flavipes , Meg., is a probable synonym of L. dux, which

is the species, so far as I know, which, it is alleged, caused the recent

outbreak of smallpox amongst the nurses at the General Hospital,

Calcutta.

The abominable contamination of food, which is absolutely

inevitable, through the presence in such numbers of the commoner

species of Muscinse (Musca, Lucilia , Calliphora ) is a subject which,

in the author’s opinion, is of at least as weighty importance as the

crusade against mosquitoes on behalf of the extermination of

malaria.

Stomoxys calcitrans, L. — Generally common everywhere in the East.

Limnophora bisetosa, Thoms. — A female from Kandy, January,

1908.

Ophyra nigra, W. — Peradeniya, IX. 07. Four males.

Senopterina egues, Sch. — One or two from Kandy.

Sepsis coprophila , Meij. — Peradeniya, XI. 07.

S. fasciculata, Brun. — Only two specimens of this species have been

seen by me. The one in my own collection from Ceylon is the type,

the other, now accidentally destroyed, was in the Indian Museum

from Calcutta, 16 VI. 07.

Calobata splendens, W. — One female, Kandy, IX. 07.

Diopsis indica, Westw. — One from Haldummulla, VII. 09.

D. sp. — Three examples of what may be a new species from

Kandy, V. and IX. 07, and from Balangoda, I. 01.

Celyphus obtectus, Halm. — Peradeniya, V. 09.

C. sp. , ? dohrni, Big. — Several specimens, Peradeniya, V. to IX. 07,

and Kandy, IX. 07.

Olidia cenea, W. — Not uncommon. Colombo, VII. 09.

Aphiochceta, sp. nov. — This will be described in my forthcoming

paper on “ New Oriental Hiptera.”

Hippobosca variegata, Leach. — -Two from Passara, XII. 07. Mr.

Austen informs me of a necessary correction here to maculata,

Leach.

Cyclopodia tykesi, V. W. — One, “ Ceylon.”

N.B. — The above list does not comprise more than one-third of

the species received by me from Ceylonese localities, but it may be

useful to workers in Oriental Hiptera, and it is possible that later on 1

may identify some further portion of my collection from this Island.

NOTES.

173

FOOTES.

1. An Albino Wagtail.— It may be of interest to ornithologists

to know that an albino of the Gray-headed Wagtail (Motacilla

borealis ) can be reported from Colombo. I saw the bird on the Galle

Face on three occasions last month. The back was slightly dusky,

and there was a 'tinge of yellow on the breast, otherwise the plumage

was quite white.

Belvedere, Colombo, W. A. CAVE.

February 6, 1910.

2. The Gall of the Flying Squirrel. — It was only after a consider¬

able time that I was able to determine the author of a weird

nocturnal cry that has attracted my attention at intervals ever

since I have lived at Peradeniya. For a long time I supposed it to

be produced by a night bird of some sort. But one moonlit night

the cry was repeated for hours from a large tree .overshadowing

my bungalow, and I was at last enabled to associate it definitely

with the large brown Flying Squirrel ( Pteromys oral , Tickell). On

this occasion the animal was evidently calling for its mate. The

note was so monotonous and continued for such a long time that

it “ got on my nerves,” and I endeavoured to frighten the beast

away by bombarding it with Atones. But it absolutely refused

to move, even after a revolver had been fired off several times in its

direction, and I had to abandon the attempt. The next morning

this — or another individual (possibly the desired mate) — was found

entangled in a barbed wire fence at a little distance up the road

and knocked on the head by a passing cooly.

The note is a difficult one to put into words. It may be described

as resembling something between the cry of a duck and that of a hen.

It is a single, rather sharp note, resonant and metallic, with a

sort of echo or subdued grunt. I recognized the same call one

afternoon in the jungle at Mihintale.

There has been a small colony, a dozen or more strong, of these

squirrels located in the Royal Botanic Gardens for many years. It

appears neither to increase nor to diminish to any appreciable extent.

Individuals are occasionally picked up beneath the palm trees in a

moribund condition, but I have never been able to discover the cause

of their death. It is certainly not. of old age, for the dying animals

were otherwise in good condition, with clean fur and well nourished.

174

SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

Their headquarters appear to be in the palm grove at the entrance

gates, whence they sally out at dusk, gliding from tree to tree in the

vicinity, and often wandering to a distance of at least a quarter of a

mile. They are frequently to be seen in the ‘ ‘ Ingasaman ” ( Pithe -

colobium ^saman) avenue along the Station road, and in the large

Bombax trees in front of the Mycologist’s and Entomologist’s bun¬

galows. They are also partial to the old Ficus elastica trees that

used to be such a feature of the approach to the Gardens, but which

are now in a state of decay. On one occasion I had the rare pleasure

of watching a troop of five or six of these graceful animals parachut¬

ing to and fro between the Eicus trees and the palm grove. A few

individuals may be seen almost any night, if one has the patience

to wait about between the hours of 6 and 7 p.m. just outside the

gates of the Gardens. The exhibition of animal- seroplaning is worth

waiting for.

Peradeniya. E. ERNEST GREEN.

3. Cobra Reminiscences. — In 1891 I was stationed on the

Hanwella-Bope road, aj^out 2 miles from Hanwella, and occupied a

small house belonging to Mudaliyar G. Amarasekera. This house was

situated on a piece of land newly cleared and planted with coconut

seedlings, and was surrounded by low and thick scrub. The ground

was honeycombed with white ants’ nests and infested with snakes,

principally cobras and polongas, of which I killed about 160 odd in

two years. I had come to know the white ants’ holes which con¬

tained cobras, and noticed for one thing that these snakes habitually

returned to the same holes, even though they might have taken

temporary refuge in some other.

I was able to satisfy myself that? the partiality of snakes (at least

as regards cobras) for music is nothing but a myth. The sole effect,

so far as I could see, was to arouse their curiosity, as they would pro¬

ject their heads out of their holes equally well for any kind of noise,

from the shrill piping affected by snake charmers down to the

tingling noise made by dragging a surveying chain past their dwell¬

ing, or even that made by light and repeated tapping with a switch

close to their hole. It would appear, however, that the tone must

be high, as grave sounds, such as tom-tom beating or deep notes from

a flute or ocarina, had, so far as I could see, no effect upon them.

Another delusion, which is often found in story books, and which

I have never observed, is the power of fascination which they are

said to exercise towards birds. On the contrary, on at least two

instances I saw cobras chased by birds. The first occurred in

November, 1891. Returning from work about 5 p.m. I noticed some

commotion occurring in the bush about 20 yards from my door.

There appeared to be a dispute going on amongst some birds ; their

shrill cries could be heard proceeding from the same spot, accompanied

NOTES.

175

by the fluttering of wings. I approached the place cautiously,

and at first made out two ordinary sparrows circling about a nest

placed at the top of a thin and flexible shoot about 4 ft. high. They

were evidently greatly distressed and very angry, so much so that,

although I came within 3 ft. of their nest, they paid no attention to

my presence, but continued circling and pecking hard at something

inside their nest. I thought at first some thieving bird had taken

possession of it ; it seemed of large size, as its continual movement

inside the nest, to avoid the pecking, made the shoot sway back¬

wards and forwards violently. All at once a cobra about 4 ft. long,

so far as I could judge, sprang from the nest to the ground and dis¬

appeared in the jungle. I was greatly surprised, as I never expected

a snake of that size to have been able to climb the shoot, which

seemed much too thin to support its weight, or to enter the nest at

all, and above all to remain hidden in it so long. In this instance

the sparrows appeared to have not the slightest fear of the cobra.

There was no doubt about the species of the snake, as I could see its

hood extended as it fled.

The second instance happened in 1896, near Horana. I was

returning to my camp about 3 p.m. when I saw a group of people

gazing at the top of a large breadfruit tree. I asked them what they

were looking at, and they told me that a crow was fighting an

intruder into its nest situated at the very top of the tree. The crow

was circling at close quarters and pecking hard at the nest, cawing

loudly all the time. The nest was at some 40 ft. above ground.

Presently a snake came out of the nest and started climbing down

the tree, with the crow in hot pursuit behind it, pecking at it all the

time, the snake hissing hard at every blow. It took refuge about

10 ft. down in a clump of dead ferns, from which it was chased out by

the crow , and it came from branch to branch until it reached a large

horizontal one , which stretched out about 20 ft. Here the snake was

at great disadvantage, as it could not turn upon the crow. The

latter seemed to know it, and its tactics were splendid. It would

peck hard near the spine close to the tail and then peck near its neck.

At each peck pieces of the snake’s skin were torn, and the snake

would stop ; but as soon as it started moving the crow would peck

at it again with extraordinary surety of aim. After fully 15 minutes

on the branch two large patches had been torn out of the snake,

which was evidently getting exhausted. At last one of the pecks

must have landed on a more sensitive portion, as the cobra tried to

turn to strike, but lost its balance and fell to the ground. Before

I could stop them, it was despatched by two of the spectators, and

the crow flew away. It was a pity, as I should have liked to have

seen the finish of the fight, which was a most determined one. What

struck me as remarkable was the extraordinary endurance of the

crow, which was on the wing from start to finish for at least 20

minutes.

176

SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

I have certainly never seen the fascination of birds. I once tied a

cobra for three hours near some birds , but whether they knew the snake

could do them no harm or not, they appeared to be totally unaffected.

On the other hand, I once saw a frog stand perfectly still until its

capture by a common olive green snake (with yellow band) ; but

I could not make out whether it had seen the snake (I understand

the eyesight of frogs is by no means acute) , or whether, as the latter

approached, the frog was really hypnotized.

I had often been told that wherever there were wild pigs snakes

disappeared, the inference being that the latter were eaten by the

pigs. But only on one occasion have I seen a fight between the two.

It was in 1894 , early in the morning , when I was going up the slope of

Panyagulakanda , near Labugama, in order to take trigonometrical

observations. I had proceeded along the bed of a dry stream some

200 ft. above the valley when I became aware of a commotion in the

jungle on a small ledge some 40 ft. away from where I was. So far

as I could make out some animal was jumping in the most curious

way while remaining in the same spot. I thought at first that it

had been caught in a trap, and I crept cautiously towards it, and as I

approached I found the animal was a pig, and that a fight was going

on between it and a snake. I went closer still until I was about 12 ft.

from the scene of the struggle, which I watched with the greatest

interest. A fine cobra about 5 ft. long was endeavouring to strike

at the pig, which kept jumping about from side to side to avoid its

blows. Within the first five minutes the pig appeared to have been

struck twice near its shoulder, but of that I could not make sure, as

the movements of both were very quick. Suddenly the pig changed

its tactics ; every time the cobra struck at him the pig would jump

right over him, when the cobra would turn right round to face the

enemy. This went on for several minutes, and I thought that the

jumps were made in order to tire the snake out ; but I soon found

that when the pig jumped it held all its four feet bunched together.

I now saw that it was attempting to fall with the whole of its weight

upon the snake’s back. After I had been watching them for about

a quarter of an hour , the snake was getting perceptibly more sluggish

in turning, and the pig succeeded in descending upon him once ; the

cobra now attempted to escape, but the pig prevented this by jump¬

ing near its tail, when the snake had to face him again. A few

minutes later the pig landed fair and square upon the middle of the

back of the cobra, the blow evidently breaking its backbone, or at

least paralysing him, as the upper part of its body kept close to the

ground, while its tail was lashing the ground all round. The pig

immediately seized the snake just behind the hood with its mouth,

and placing its fore feet on either side, severed the neck of the snake

in a very few seconds. It now seized the head and swallowed it

first, and then coming back to the body cut it up into pieces about

5 inches long, which it devoured very quickly. After despatching

NOTES.

177

a few of them it happened to look up and saw me, and immediately

made off as fast as it could, leaving the tail of the snake still wriggling

on the ground.

What I have said above in connection with the effect of noise on

snakes reminds me of an incident connected with snake-charming,

which I shall put down here, as I believe it will be found interesting.

On a Sunday morning in February, 1892, two Indian snake

charmers came to my small bungalow at Hanwella. They had

three snakes with them , and proceeded to make them dance as usual.

I stopped them and told them that I had seen all that before, and

asked them whether they could compel a wild snake to dance, and

if so, whether they could catcli one for the purpose. One of them

expressed his willingness to do so. Ten days previously I had

chased a cobra of the species called by the natives “ Tom-tom beater ,”

that is, the black cobra with a red spectacle mark on its hood. The

Sinhalese I believe think that they are re -incarnations of low-caste

natives ; hence its name. It is certainly fiercer and more active than

the common brown cobra. I had noticed at the time that it had

taken refuge in an ant-hill near the edge of the paddy field which

formed one boundary of the new clearing upon which my bungalow

stood, and situated about 200 ft. from it. I led the charmer to this

ant-hill, as the black cobras are comparatively scarce, and this was

only the second specimen of the species that I had seen up to that

time, in order to make certain that he had not previously hidden

one of his own snakes in the ground. When I had assured him that

a snake almost certainly occupied the hole, he squatted down oppo¬

site to it and started blowing into a reed pipe, which gave a sound

similar to that of a bagpipe. After a long time, and when I had

almost given up the idea of the snake being there still, the cobra

protruded its head about an inch out of the hole in order presumably

to see what was going on ; the charmer pounced upon it, and seizing

the head of the snake between his thumb and two fingers so that it

could not open its mouth he pulled it out of the white ants’ nest and

brought it to the bungalow. He then tried to make it dance by

holding a small piece of white root above its head. The snake tried

to escape several times, but was brought back again, and ultimately

was induced to dance with its hood extended ; so far as I could judge

it was the same snake that I had noticed before. I then asked the

charmer what he would do if he happened to get bitten by a wild

snake. He told me that he did not mind it, as he had a certain medi¬

cine which would prevent any ill-effects. I then, more as a joke than

anything else, promised him five rupees if he would allow himself to

be stung by the snake he had just caught, fully believing that he

would never attempt the trial. But before I could stop him he had

seized the snake by the neck and had thrust the forefinger of his

right hand deep into its mouth , and when he withdrew it there were

two punctures on each side of the second joint. Both punctures

2 c 6(8)10

178

SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

were bleeding slightly. He at once handed over the cobra to his

companion, who immediately shut him up into the snake basket, and

the charmer presently took out. from his waist cloth a piece of charred

bone, well known as the snake stone, which he applied at once to the

two punctures. He then waited for some minutes, and I could see

the veins on the back of his hand standing out like knotted strings.

After a couple of minutes or so the stone dropped down , and he then

told me that he had extracted all the poison ; and calling for a small

coconut shell full of milk he dropped the stone into it ; in a moment,

after a considerable amount of bubbling, there came to the surface

a certain amount of an oily looking liquid, pale straw in colour.

In order to test whether the wounds on his knuckle had been pro¬

duced by the fangs, or whether they were due to scratching by the

back teeth, I called for a small chicken, of which I had a certain

number in my fowl run, and making a small incision on its leg I

dipped a feather into the oily liquid and rubbed it into the incision.

The chicken died within ten minutes, with all the symptoms of snake

bite. I then paid the man the amount agreed upon, and obtained

in return from him a snake stone, the piece of white root which he

had used to charm the snake, and a small disc of brownish material,

which he said was a talisman against the action of snake poison. He

asked me as a favour to be allowed to take his new capture away

with him, a permission which I very gladly gave him; but I have

had so far no occasion to make use of the three objects which he

presented me with, and which are still in my possession.

Colombo, March 9, 1910. H. O. BARNARD.

4. On the remarkable superficial resemblance of a variety of Lana

fuscipennis {Gam.) to a Male Mutillid. — Amongst other Hymenoptera

collected by Dr. Willey on a recent tour through the Northern

Province, he showed me a rather remarkable variety of Lana :

fuscipennis , a burrowing wasp belonging to the family Sphegida?,

which, owing to the abnormal amount of red on the abdomen,

strikingly resembles the male of a Mutillid, Mutilla dimidiata

(Lepel). The specimen was taken in November near Elephant Pass,

whilst flitting about close to the ground at the edge of a shallow

pool, looking, when on the wing, like a male mutillid wasp

searching for its wingless female.

The families of the two species are very widely separated in point

of structure. In the Mutillidse the pronotum reaches back to the

base of the wings ; whilst in the Sphegidae the pronotum does not

extend to the base of the wings, but more often forms a mere collar.

The markings of the Mutillid are as follows : basal five segments

of the abdomen red, the two apical segments black. The Larrid has

the three basal segments red, the fourth slightly black in the centre.

NOTES.

179

and the apical two black. The typical L. fuscipennis ((Jam.) has

only the two basal segments red, with the centre above black, and

the rest of the segments black.

Possibly the Larrid may be a new species, although very like

L. fuscipennis in structure. Dr. Willey tells me he caught this

Larrid under the impression that it was a male Mutillid, the

resemblance in general colouring and size being so deceptive.

Colombo, March 14. 1910. OSWIN S. WICK WAR.

5. Awkward nesting place chosen by Sceliphron violaceum

(Fabr.).— Wasps are very justly credited with a considerable amount

of instinct and reason, and it is therefore interesting to note what

appears to us to be a want of common sense in certain individuals,

and to try and. account for it.

In the ceiling of my room there are some horizontal rafters- with

a flat surface whitewashed over, and at some time or other stout

nails have been driven in from below and withdrawn, leaving

perpendicular holes about 1 to i \ inch deep with the opening at

the bottom. For a long time a specimen of this wasp (a common

metallic blue insect with a very thin waist or petiole, which

frequents houses in search of spiders or nesting holes) has been

trying to store one of these holes with spiders. It comes along with

a stupefied spider generally held between the intermediate legs,

and in the first place has a considerable amount of difficulty in

alighting, so much so that it often drops its prey in trying to do

so. When at last it succeeds, it has then to ram home these

spiders as “ cold meat ” for its young, but in doing so the

spiders, or most of them, naturally fall out as soon as they are put

in, with the result that the particular nest which I have watched

for some weeks is not yet fully provisioned, and still this industrious

little insect works away as hard as ever. Perhaps this little

individual has some very good reason of its own for selecting such a

difficult position.

In other instances these insects show a considerable amount of

instinct or reason, for I have seen several nests built in the holes in

whitewashed walls, and after lining a hole, storing it with spiders,

and sealing it up with clay, they have covered over the clay with a

white substance, thus covering all traces of a nest. I have not been

able to ascertain what this white substance is composed of, although

I suspect it is made from the white secretions of some of the common

scale bugs which are found in large quantities on some plants,

especially in the dry weather. I have often noticed S. violaceum

busy amongst clusters of these bugs, but have not actually caught it

in the act of collecting this white substance.

Colombo, March 16, 1910.

OSWIN S. WICKWAR.

180

SPOLlA ZEYLANICA.

6. Association of Barnacles with Snakes and Worms. — The object

of this note is to present to the readers of this journal a picture

showing a group of barnacles belonging to two species attached by

their stalks to the flattened tail of a sea-snake, Hydrus platurus.

The attachment of barnacles to the skin of sea-snakes lias long been

known, and was of course mentioned repeatedly by Darwin in his

“ Monograph of the Cirripedes,” but a conspicuous example like the

one here figured is not so commonly met with in Ceylon. The

specimen was brought alive to the Museum on July 23, 1909. The

two species of barnacles can be recognized in the drawing ; the one

with complete white calcareous valves is Lepas anserifera , which

Dr. Annandale referred to in Spolia Zeylanica , vol. III., p. 193, as

being “ the commonest pedunculate form on floating objects in this

part of the Indian ocean ” ; the other exposing the soft brown

mantle which carries the greatly reduced calcareous valves is

Conchoderma hunter i.

The barnacles are not ectoparasites , as they do not feed upon the

skin of the snake, nor do they assist the snake in any way ; on the

contrary, their presence must have seriously impeded the movements

of the snake. Moreover, they thrive equally well when attached to

floating bottles and drifting spars. So far as the snake is concerned,

they are simply an incubus which cannot be shaken off, and the

snake is merely their facultative vehicle. These barnacles are

sedentary animals destitute of proper powers of locomotion, although

capable of securing their own nourishment, but they have acquired

a planozoic or passively vagrant habit, and they must be kept on

the move.

Their relation to the snake is somewhat analogous to a remarkable

case of association between certain Hydroid polyps ( Stylactis minoi)

and a small rock perch, Minous inermis, which was found by the

Royal Indian Marine Survey ship “ Investigator ” in several places

off the Indian coast, from the Mahanaddi to Calicut, in depths of

45-150 fathoms. The skin of the fish is beset with the commensal

polyps, which have never been found elsewhere, and Colonel Alcock

(“ A Naturalist in Indian Seas,” London, 1902) thinks that they

help to conceal the fish from its enemies, in that they play the same

part which is, in other cases, performed by frond-like cutaneous

filaments.

The barnacle Lepas anserifera always, in my experience, occurs

in pure culture when attached to bottles and Jogs, unaccompanied

by the Conchoderma. But under these conditions, more particularly

on logs, it is frequently accompanied by two Annelid worms, very

distinct from each other, though both belonging to the same family,

Amphinomidse. In August, 1907, and December, 1909, Lepas-logs

were brought to me at the Museum, upon which I found numbers of

these two species, Amphinome rostrata and Hipponoe gaudichaudi,

not previously recorded from Ceylon, but known from the South

Swarm of Apis dorsata building a comb on the roof of a verandah

in the Colombo Museum.

ttOTES.

181

Pacific, the Mediterranean, and the Atlantic coast of North America.

The Hipponoe is the rarer species, and has a rich uniform pinkish

coloration resembling the colour of the egg-ribbons of the Lepas.

It sometimes penetrates within the valves of the barnacle.

Colombo, March 29, 1910. . " A. WILLEY.

7. Nest of the Bambara Bee at the Museum. — During the building

operations at the new wing of the Museum the outer verandah was

appropriated by a swarm of bambara bees {Apis dorsata), who began

building their comb on the roof of the verandah in March, 1909.

They crowded together one over the other to form a dense swaying

mass in the characteristic crescentic shape of the future comb,

although nothing of the latter was visible. Many of them were

found lying dead upon the floor from time to time. On May 19

I took a photograph of them from the top of a temporary platform.

About this time the yellow basal portion of the comb began to show

against the woodwork of the ceiling. Individual bees were

constantly leaving the mass and returning to it laden with yellow

bee-bread, round pollen-masses attached to the hind legs (femora).

On July 14 the swarm was still at work, the bees on the lower or

growing part of the comb constantly leaving and returning to it as

before, but now bringing two packets of white bee-bread. They

had now arranged themselves in vertical columns or chains, after

the fashion of the red ant (Oecophylla smaragdina ) when drawing

leaves together preparatory to the construction of a nest ; one such

living chain, 6 or 7 inches long, was seen to be detached from the

main mass, except at the two ends.

On October 14 a Death’s Head moth, which is known as a pest

of beehives, was found dead on the ground below the comb ; pre¬

sumably it had been overpowered and stung to death, though it is

hard to say why intruding moths are not always killed by the bees.

On November 27 the swarm deserted the comb in a body. The

life of this particular comb thus lasted almost exactly nine months.

It is known that these bees sometimes attack horses and pedes¬

trians, and can constitute an actual danger when disturbed, although

I cannot give any references to published accounts of such attacks.

The local saying is that if seven of these bees attack a man he

will die.

This species is distributed over most parts of the Island to the tops

of the highest mountains. In February, 1910, Mr. E. E. Green and

I found them visiting the blue flowers of the “ nellu ” (Strobilanthes)

on the summit of Namunukuli, near Badulla, in great numbers when¬

ever the sun was sufficiently strong to dispel the rising mists.

Colombo, March 31, 1910.

A. WILLEY

182

SPOLIA ZEYLANIOA.

8. Symbols and Offerings. — For about two years an interesting

ivory object has been exhibited at the Colombo Museum. It has

the form of an ivory shuttle, upwards of 10J inches in length, nearly

1J inch deep, with a decorative design lacquered red, and the story

attached to it at the time of its acquisition was to the effect that it

had been granted by the King of Kandy to a family of weavers as a

symbol or certificate of their appointment as weavers to the royal

household. Instead of giving them a sannasa, he gave them a

symbol of their trade executed in precious material. On the upper

side of the boat-shaped body of the shuttle there is an oblong cavity

to receive the thread and a hole through one side to pass it.

This example appeared to be unique in its class, although it seems

likely that an ivory udakkiya, or hand drum, a small spindle-shaped

double-ended drum, of the same size and shape as the common

lacquered wooden drums carried in perahera processions, previously

lent to the Museum for exhibition by Mr. P. E. Pieris (see this journal,

vol. III., p. 10), had a corresponding significance, although as is

unfortunately the case with so many valuable specimens no story

was attached to it.

I am indebted to the writer of a letter which appeared in the

Ceylon Independent on September 30. 1909, for some references

to Mr. Justice A. C. Lawrie’s “ Gazetteer of the Central Province

of Ceylon,” Colombo, 1896, where somewhat similar instances

are mentioned. The letter was entitled “Some Historical Royal

Souvenirs as substitutes for Sannasas it is possible that the

writer (who signed himself R. P.) had seen the ivory shuttle at

the Museum.

The first reference is to p. 464 of Lawrie’s Gazetteer, where it is

recorded under the name of the village Kondadeniya, between

Katugastota and Haloluwa, that one Udawattege Punchi Kanka-

nama had stated to the Judicial Commissioner on November 28.

1828, “that he had no Talpot ( talpata ), but produced a billhook

(Icetta) given to his father by the deposed king for land, for taking

care of the king’s pineapple plantation in this village.”

The second reference is to p. 570, where the Judicial Commissioner’s

diary of July 5, 1824, records that Iwedde Mudiyanse of Medagoda

“ gave his eldest son the rattan which his ancestor received from

the king as a Sannas for land when first taken into the Katupulle

Department.”

The third and last reference is to p. 761. where it is recorded that

Ratwatte Disava stated to the Judicial Commissioner on October 24,

1821, “ that the lands at Rambuk-oluwa were given to his father

by his great-grandfather, the Dumbara Maha Disava, and that he

had a firelock as a Sannas for the lands.”

Another very interesting symbol of authority has recently been

added to the collection at the Museum. This is a devil dancer’s

rattle ( halamba ) mounted upon an elegantly fashioned ivory shaft,

Ivory Shuttle.

Two jointed Medical Staffs.

r' p

NOTES.

to which a small bell is attached below (see figure). It was highly

esteemed by the owner, a bali-karaya or itinerant devil-dancer,

who goes about to houses to exorcise evil spirits and incidentally to

cure diseases. The story was that it had been awarded as a Sannas

to the great-great-grandfather of the present holder. The length

Ivory-handled Rattle and Bell.

of the ivory shaft above the rattle is about 2J inches ; the part below

the rattle is upwards of 3 inches.

To the same category of similia similibus must be reckoned a

very finely modelled silver outrigger boat said to have been vowed

to Sinegama Dewale, near Hikkaduwa, about thirty-five years ago.

184 SPOLTA ZEYLANTOA.

It is now exhibited at the Museum amongst a collection of Devale

abaraim, or appurtenances of dewales. It is called Yatrawaka-ta bare,

and was offered on the occasion of the launching of one of the large

coasting Sinhalese sailing vessels with outrigger, which carry salt

from Hambantota to Weligama and other places. These boats are

Fire-brand Dagger.

called Yatrawaka, in contrast with the common fishing boats, to

which the name oruwa is applied. The silver model has not been

figured, but it is worth seeing.

The last object to which I wish to draw attention is the dagger

represented in outline. It is characterized by the wavy blade

ires in the Maha Devale.

NOTES.

185

resembling a flame, and on that- account is called “ fire-blade.”

It resembles a Malay kris, called in Ceylon, according to Mr. H.

Parker (“ Ancient Ceylon,” London, 1909, p. 532) , kricciya. He says

“ it is rarely seen, and does not often appear in the wihara paintings ;

but it is represented at the Dambulla wihara, where it is held as a

dagger. The fact that a broken blade which appeared to belong to

this weapon, with at least three bends, was discovered in the Tissa

excavations, in the lowest pottery stratum, proves that it had been

introduced into the Island in very early times.” The same form of

blade sometimes occurs in spear-heads. Mr. Parker ( loc . cit.) adds

that the itiya is the true Sinhalese form of a weapon of this type.

•‘It is a narrow-bladed , short, stabbing spear or assegai, but it is

also held like a sword. It is described as having a thin blade

18 inches long, with bends resembling those of the kris, and two

cutting edges. It is found in the Dewalas, and appears in the

temple paintings among the arms carried by the demons in their

contest with Buddha. In a large statue of Kali at Anuradliapura ,

this goddess grasps it like a sword, and holds it erect.”

The Sinhalese kricciya or hunting-knife is again mentioned by

Dr. C. G. Seligmann in a “ Note on the Bandar Cult of the Kandyan

Sinhalese,” published in “Man,” vol. IX., No. 9, September, 1909,

pp. 130-134.

The symbolic use of a long-bladed knife in a devil dance is also

described by Mrs. Brenda Z. Seligmann in an illustrated paper

entitled “ A Devil Ceremony of the Peasant Sinhalese,” published in

the Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute, vol. XXXVIII.,

1908, pp. 368-379.

The iron handle of the dagger here figured shows remains of silver

damascene- work (not drawn in the sketch) ; the blade is rather more

than 8 inches long, and has seven bends. It was said to have

been obtained in Kandy. The Sinhalese name is gini-dalu-kricciya.

The two objects figured below the ivory shuttle are medical staffs,

the lower one made of horn and mounted with silver, the upper one

of horn and ivory.* They were formerly carried about by vedaralas

or native doctors. Each of them is composed of a number of

hollow sections fitting together , and each section is the receptacle

for a specific drug. Their length is that of an ordinary walking

stick.

Colombo, March 31, 1910. A. WILLEY.

9. Chank and other Objects from the Maha Devale , Kandy. — The

accompanying illustration shows an ivory case and gold sannasa, a

gold-mounted chank, and a gold-mounted cup belonging to the Maha

* This has been deposited in the Museum on loan by Mr. de Lanerolle.

through Mr. P. E. Pieris, C.C.S.

2 P

6(8)10

186

SPOLIA ZEYLANIOA.

Devale ; these have also been figured in my 4 ‘ Mediaeval Sinhalese

Art,” Pis. XL. 7, XLIII. A 4, and XLII. 5, together with a silver

kendiya from the same temple, PL XLII. 4. The sannasa has been

translated in the “ Ceylon National Review,” July, 1906, p. 234, and

the text is given in “ Jnanadarsaya ” for the same year. The little

pacca kusalana , miscalled “ emerald-cup,” is gold- mounted and set

with rubies and sapphires, the decoration of the rim being gal-bindu,

and of the base pala peti , while the pendant flowers are sina mala.

The material of the cup itself has not been identified. The cup was

no doubt used at royal inauguration ceremonies , when the sword of

state was first girded on the king ; and perhaps on other occasions

when the king visited the temple and sandal paste was offered to

him as a mark of respect, as is still done to distinguished visitors

at Hindu temples. The following account of the inauguration

ceremony is given by Davy (“ Travels in Ceylon,” p. 168) : after the

sword of state had been girded on to the prince by a member of the

Pilima Talave family, whose privilege this was, the Kapurala

“ presented a pot of sandal-powder, in which the prince, who may

now be called king, dipped his fingers and touched the sword ; and

this ceremony was performed in the Malia as well as in the Nata

Devale.”

The sannasa , cup, and chank are said to have been dedicated to

the Maha Devale by Rajadhi Raja Sinha, after a victory over the

Dutch at Gurubebile.

The sannasa itself, known as the “ algam sannasa,” was granted

by Narendra Sinha.

Campden, Gloucester, A. K. COOMARASWAMY.

December 13, 1909.

10. Book Notice. — Dermaptera (Earwigs). By Malcolm Burr,

D.Sc., M.A., F.E.S., F.Z.S., Fauna of British India (London : Taylor

& Francis). — The latest number of this well-known series consists

of a remarkably well-conceived and executed half volume on the

Earwigs of British India. It will be a surprise to persons who have

given no consideration to the subject to learn that sufficient material

exists for even a half volume devoted to this order of insects alone.

Earwigs are not such “ common objects of the country ” here, as

they often are in England. I have even met otherwise well-informed

persons who were unaware that earwigs of any kind occurred in

Ceylon. Yet this volume describes 135 distinct species (of which

42 are recorded from Ceylon) , against the three or four only that are

known to occur in Great Britain.

The author in his preface defines his use of the term type , and

pins himself to “ the principle that one individual specimen, and

one only, can be the type of the species.” All other individuals

NOTES.

187

that may- have been studied during the preparation of the diagnosis

are designated syntypes. A further term — paratype — “ is applied to

a specimen which has been identified authoritatively by comparison

with a true type.” I presume that to have been identified authori¬

tatively in this sense, the comparison must have been made by the

author of the specific name.

The author’s claim that “ no work upon this group of insects has

yet enjoyed such accurate and abundant illustration ” is well borne

out by the ten plates (one of them in colours) containing 104 “ full-

length ” pictures of earwigs. Ceylon is well served in this particular.

Of the 42 species recorded from this Island, no fewer than 30 are

fully illustrated. With such a wealth of illustration provided, it

seems ungracious to ask for more ; but one could wish that the

distribution of favours had included some of the genera that now

remain unfigured. For while every species in certain genera ( e.g .,

Forcipula and Labidura) has been honoured, others (e.g., Borellia,

Nannisolabis, Metisolabis , and others) are left out in the cold.

The figures themselves are of exceptional merit. Mr. Wilson has

caught the character (one might almost say the expression) of each

species in the happiest manner.

The introductory chapter deals very fully with the general

structure of earwigs, and is illustrated with some really useful

diagrams, indicating in the clearest manner every detail men¬

tioned in the descriptions.

The sections on Development and general Bionomics are especially

interesting and valuable. Every available grain of information

has been carefully garnered and cleverly fitted into position. These

sections, which occupy eleven pages, are a feature of the book that

differentiates it from all other volumes of the series that have yet

appeared. It is to be sincerely hoped that the authors of future

volumes will emulate Dr. Burr’s example in this particular.

A complete fist of the literature of the subject precedes the main

body of the work, of which it is sufficient to say that the descriptions

are fully and admirably clear. There are practicable keys to both

genera and species, which with the ample descriptions should

make the identification of any species an easy task.

The appendices include a short section “ On Collecting and

Preserving Earwigs,” and a complete glossary of terms employed

in the work. The latter should be studied before making use of

the descriptions, as the author gives somewhat unusual definitions

to a few of the terms. Thus, the term conical is “ applied to

segments which gradually increase in thickness from base to apex ”

— a definition that pertains more strictly to the word obconical.

Again, crenate and crenulate usually convey the idea of a finely

scalloped edge or margin ; but our author employs the term in the

sense of “ furnished with teeth like a comb a condition that

would be more properly described as pectinate.

188

SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

It is gratifying to learn that Dr. Burr is now engaged upon a

monograph of the earwigs of the world. The excellence of the

present work is a pleasing foretaste of what may be expected from

the forthcoming magnum opus.

E. E. GREEN.

11. The Bite of RusselVs Viper. — At midnight on April 6, 1910, 1

was hastily summoned to see the late Mr. MacIntyre, Postmaster of

Trincomalee, who had been bitten by a polonga. On arrival at his

residence, thirty to forty minutes after the accident, I found him

seated erect on a chair on his verandah. He was bathed in a cold,

clammy sweat, and complained of feeling sick, and was vomiting

continually . The ejected matter consisted of a few grains of boiled

rice and water and bile-stained fluid, and later on of glairy mucus.

He had been attended to, within five or ten minutes of the accident,

by a constable, who applied to the wound a black “snake stone ”

such as I have seen in the possession of “ snake charmers.” Inter¬

nally a remedy, prepared by dissolving part of a light green stone

in water, had been administered with the object of producing

vomiting.

The Postmaster stated that about ten minutes after he retired to

bed he heard a noise as of heavy breathing, and imagining that it

was his little boy who was asleep, he walked over to the latter’s cot,

about four feet away. Making him comfortable, he was returning to

his own bed, when he felt a sharp sting over his heel, and jumped

into bed. Simultaneously, hissing sounds were heard, and it imme¬

diately struck him that he must have been bitten by a snake. A

light was brought into the room , which had been in darkness , and a

search made, and a polonga was found coiled up in a corner. Three

hemp ligatures were applied by his wife round the injured limb :

one just above the ankle, another round the knee, and the other

round the lower part of the thigh. The wound is said to have

bled freely, staining all the bed linen. Careful examination, after

cleansing of the limb, revealed a single, black, pin-point puncture on

the inner side of the right heel, about an inch above the sole. There

was then no bleeding, and but ^ery slight pain complained of. The

tissues around had a faint bluish tint, and the limb was swollen from

the knee downwards. The ligatures, I found, were not too tightly

applied. The patient complained of great weakness, and there was

much restlessness, violent retching, and inability to sleep.

I incised the wound freely, and injected into it a saturated

solution of permanganate of potash. A series of punctures were

also made all round, and the same solution injected hypodermically

into the tissues. Powdered crystals were then rubbed in, and

the wound packed with the same. The limb was postured, » and

compresses also of the solution applied and frequently renewed.

NOTES.

189

Four fluid ounces of whisky and half an ounce of sal volatile were

administered internally at once, and a full dose of strychnine and

ether injected hypodermically into the arms an hour later. The

subsequent treatment consisted of a mixture of carbonate of

ammonium, citrate of caffeine, strychnine, and digitalis, and

hypodermic injections of adrenalin and strychnine. The treatment

adopted was that described by Dr. J. W. Watson Stephens, and in

his hands proved very successful in Siam. The vomiting ceased

after the first dose of whisky had been administered. I was not

certain as to whether the vomiting and cold sweats were due to the

snake poison or to the emetic administered by the constable, but

it was evident later that these were effects of the former. The

poison, therefore, had undoubtedly entered the general circulation

before I first saw the patient. At dawn the patient was not so

restless, but complained of great thirst and hunger. The bowels

had acted once and were relaxed, the skin was warm, the tongue

dry, the expression anxious, and the eyelids had now a very heavy

appearance, and he was unable to open them wide. The elevators

of the lids exhibited paretic symptoms. The pupils were contracted ,

fixed, and equal. Pulse was quick, 115 per minute, and moderately

full. Finding that the ligatures were rather lax, I proceeded to

remove them, following the procedure recommended by Prentiss

Willson in the “ Arch, of Internal Medicine,” June, 1.908, by inter-

mittingly relaxing the ligature nearest to the heart, letting it become

looser and looser until it was entirely removed, and the other

ligatures removed in the same manner, at the same time watching

the effect on the patient. At midday vomiting commenced again,

but was not persistent. The tissues all round the wound were

slightly tumefied and inflamed. Bleeding took place every now

and again, especially if the patient exerted himself. A noteworthy

feature of the blood was that it was thick, dark in colour , and did not

coagulate. Restlessness was more marked. Weakness, depression,

and exhaustion and pains in the small of the back were complained

of, but there were no cramps, no paralysis of the limbs, and no

convulsions. The skin again began to break out in cold, clammy

sweat. The abdomen was distended and- tympanitic, the upper

part exhibiting a board- like hardness. Eructations were frequent,

but did not appear to relieve the patient. He complained of

suffocating pains, as if both sides of his chest were being compressed.

There was great oppression. Respiration was hurried and laboured,

and the pulse was becoming weak and more rapid — 125 per minute.

Sight was rather dimmed, but recognition of objects and persons was

possible. Sinapisms were applied to the feet and over the prae-

cordial region, and saline infusions injected per rectum, and the

patient seemed to rally somewhat, the pulse falling to 118 per

minute. At this stage, however, his case was taken over by a

native u snake physician of known repute,” and English treatment

190

SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

given up, but the case was watched by me with interest to

the end.

Drops were instilled into the eyes by the “ vedarala,53f and this

appeared rather to aggravate the dimness of sight. Internal

remedies were also administered, but with the withdrawal of stimu¬

lants there was a steady rise in the pulse, till at 5 p.m. it registered

132 beats per minute, and was soft and feeble. Respiration also

became more hurried and difficult.

At 10 p.m. the pulse rose to 142 per minute, and slight signs of

lividity were noticed about the face. The native physicians were

now making preparations against the twenty- fourth hour, which is

stated to be a critical time with cases of snake bite. At about

11 p.m. dried bile from chickens was insufflated into the nostrils,

which made the patient feel very short of breath. Within a couple

of minutes he called out to his wife to hurry quickly up to him , and

taking leave of her dropped back on his pillow and expired instantly.

Consciousness and the power of speech were retained to the very

last. Death appeared to have been due to asphyxia and heart

failure, and I am firmly convinced that free stimulation from the

very onset is strongly indicated in cases of snake bite, if only to

prevent the extreme exhaustion which marks these cases.

The external appearances noticed eight hours after death were

lividity of the face, which was almost black. The lower portion of

the face was swollen. Livid patches were also seen on the neck,

chest, and lower extremities. The palmar aspect of the fingers was

black in colour, and the nails were of a deep purple hue. A blood¬

stained fluid was issuing from the mouth and nostrils. The pupils

were widely dilated, and the eyeballs congested. Post-mortem

rigidity had disappeared, and decomposition was setting in early.

Civil Hospital, A. E. SPAAR.

Trincomalee, April 14, 1910.

H. C. COTTLE, GOVERNMENT PRINTER, COLOMBO, CEYLON.

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SPOLIA ZEYLANICA.

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