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Show 146 MR. A. G. BUTLER ON INDIAN LEPIDOPTERA. [Apr. 3, beyond the white discal series of spots on the secondaries ; it differs from the preceding species in this character and in the reduction ot the subapical series of white spots on the primaries to three, also in the absence of the submarginal white line on the secondaries ; below it is yellower even than N. eurymene, the white cuneiform spot beyond the cell of primaries is shorter, the white band of the secondaries broader and straighter, and the yellow belt following it also broader, straighter, and less tapering ; from N aceris below the yellow coloration at once distinguishes it. Expanse of wings 45 m m. Nilgherries. " This is marked in m y collection ' Neptis aceris.' I have this also from Port Blair and from the Himalayas ; have also Moore's variety nicobarica from British Burmah."-C. S. N. nicobarica is, however, a good species. 5. NEPTIS ASTOLA. Neptis astola, Moore, P. Z. S. 1872, p. 560. Allied to N. varmona, but the submarginal series of white spots on the primaries five in number towards apex ; the white subbasal band of secondaries straighter and of more even width throughout; the interrupted submarginal pale line whitish towards anal angle, but sometimes wanting; colour below red-brown, redder than in N. varmona ; the white subbasal band of secondaries not distinctly black-edged, the reddish belt following it even and tapering towards the apex ; the macular discal band a little narrower and not distinctly black-bordered ; the interrupted white submarginal stripes wider. Expanse of wings 56 m m. Belgaum. " This also seems to be astola ; but there are local differences between m y Aboo, Belgaum, and Matheran examples."- C. S. Unless these locally distinct forms are to be regarded as species, we must cease to name Lepidoptera, or, at least, confine ourselves to naming types of genera ; in not a few genera we can even now form a gradational series of allied forms, constant to locality, yet exhibiting distinctive characters, which to any but those who have long studied the Lepidoptera might appear to be mere variations ; their constancy however, in m y opinion, warrants their separation as species. 6. HYPANIS POLINICE. T'apilio polinice, Cramer, Pap. Exot. iv. pi. 375. f. G, H (1782). Madras1. 7. HYPANIS SIMPLEX, sp. n. (Plate XXIV. fig. 8.) Allied to the African H. cora. Wings above tawny with black markings as in little-marked females of H. ilithyia of Africa : on the under surface very like H. cora, but the black discoidal markings of primaries distinctly white-edged, the subapical white spots larger and clearer, the submarginal black band near external angle reduced to a 1 A note sent with this species appears to refer to a form unknown to me. |
