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Show 1881.] OF A M U R L A N D , N O R T H CHINA, A N D JAPAN. 899 MELIT^EA ARCESIA, Br. Lep. Ost-Sib. p. 15, t. i. fig. 7. Of this form, which Dr. Staudinger considers a good species, I have seen specimens from Raddefskaia {Christoph). It appears to be more common in Dahuria, where it was discovered by Radde. M. PHCSBE, Schiff. S. V. p. 179. Var. sibirica, Stdgr. MSS. Var. atheria, Ev. Lep. Ross. p. 73, t. ix. M. scotosia, Butler, Cist. Ent. ii. p. 282 (1878). The forms of M.phozBe found in Amurland are variable, but agree in being larger and darker than European specimens. It occurs at Pekin (Bremer) in the forms figured by Menetries as M. melanina, also in North China (Ehrenkmdg), whence I have seen specimens in Dr. Staudinger's collection, also in Japan under the name of M. scotosia, agreeing with Amur specimens very fairly. Bremer does not distinguish it from M. phcebe; but all the oriental specimens I have seen are large and brightly coloured. M. TRIVIA, Schiff. S. V. p. 179. According to Menetries and Bremer this species was found on the Amur by Schrenk, and at Bureija by Radde ; but Dr. Staudinger has seen none from the Amur region. M. ATHALIA, Rott. Naturf. vi. p. 5 (1775). Var. duBia, Stdgr. MSS. Var. orientalis, Stdgr. M S S . M. niphona, Butler, Cist. Ent. ii. p. 281 (1878). The forms of M. athalia found in Eastern Asia are somewhat different from the European ones; but the Japanese M. niphona is like those from Askold. The variety M. orieidalis from the Ussuri differs, in the female sex, in having whitish instead of yellowish spots beneath. The variations, however, in the Melitaa, as in many insects, are hardly to be described in words, and can only be understood when seen. Even then the genus is an extremely puzzling one, and requires an immense series of specimens to illus» trate it1. M. AURELIA, Nick. Syn. Lep. Bohm. p. 12 (1850). Dr. Staudinger has specimens of this from Ussuri and Raddefskaia, and considers them distinct from the following. M. PLOTINA. M. Britomartis, var. plotina, Brem. Lep. Ost-Sib. p. 14, t. iii. fig. 2. Found at Raddefskaia and on the Ussuri, with the last, to which it comes nearest, though constantly differing in the pattern of the upper surface. It seems to me, however, to be very close to M. aurelia. 1 Mr. Strecker has received a variety of M. athalia from Corea. 58* |