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Show 708 MR. W. L. DISTANT ON AFRICAN LEPIDOPTERA. [Nov. 18, HARMA THEOBANE, Doubl. & Hew. Gen. D. L. t. 40. f. 3 (1850) Hopff. Pet. Reise, Zool. v. p. 389, t. 24. f. 1-4 (1862). Both sexes of this species are extremely variable. The male varies much in colour beneath; in some specimens the oblique discal line crossing both wings is bordered outwardly and broadly by a dark fuscous, waved, and irregular fascia. In some specimens of tbe female above the white markings are almost absent, and tbe wings are of an almost uniform smoky hue. CHARAXES AGABO, n. sp. (Plate LIV. fig. 4.) 2 . Above bluish black, both wings crossed by a wide yellowish-white discal fascia, commencing where it is narrowest on fore wings, immediately beneath upper median nervule, and extending through hind wings, where it is broadest and almost reaches base, to abdominal margin; this fascia is outwardly sinuated on fore wings, but regularly curved on hind wings. On fore wings two spots situated transversely rather more than halfway between end of cell and apex; one smaller subapical one and eight small marginal spots, of which the lowest are the largest, yellowish white. Hind wings with a triangular yellowish-white spot on abdominal margin below central fascia; a submarginal row of eight blue spots, becoming larger and more rounded towards apical angle, and a marginal row of blue sub-crescentic narrow fasciae, bordered outwardly with black, and becoming ochreous between inner tail and anal angle. Underside: front wings black, with the following silvery-white markings:-A basal costal streak ; three parallel cellular spots, gradually increasing in size from base, and preceded by two small bluish ones; immediately beneath cell a basal streak, followed by a small spot; beyond cell a subcostal boot-shaped spot, divided midway by a nervule, followed by a large suboblong spot, divided into three parts by nervules. A submarginal row of seven spots, of which the first five are silvery white, and sixth and seventh ochreous; the first three only divided by nervules ; fourth and fifth much the smallest; and a marginal row of eight small spots, the lower two being largest, slightly bluish and crescentic inwardly. Hind wings silvery white, having two broad inwardly-curved black fasciae, both commencing on costa, first terminating on centre of abdominal margin, second passing through end of cell, and terminating along lower median nervule at commencement of posterior marginal band. These two fasciae are counected transversely, narrowly on costa and broadly near anal angle, and have also a connecting fascia of the same colour which commences about centre of the first, and is forked posteriorly where it joins second near base. A wide black marginal band, containing, first, a row of six narrow transverse ochreous lines, followed by six large silvery spots and a series of bluish-grey marginal lines; between lower median nervule and anal angle the band is represented by a large ochreous spot, margined with black, and containing two black spots ocellated with blue. Body streaked with silvery white. Exp. wings 4T 4 ir inches. Hab. Calabar district; but not precisely localized. |