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Show 458 MR. L. D E NICEVILLE O N N E W O R [May 3, the cells and the fine linear discal fascise are also much more prominent. Described from specimens from Sikkim, Assam (Shillong), and the Dafla Hills. I considered these specimens at first to constitute a species distinct from T. acte, but Mr. Otto Moller pointed out to me that all his dated specimens with the orange underside were captured in Sikkim during the rainy months, while all those with brown-coloured undersides were taken in either the spring or autumn, so I have but little doubt that this is another case of the extensive seasonal dimorphism which takes place in many of the Lycaenidae occurring in the oriental tropical and subtropical regions. TAJURIA ISTROIDEA, n. sp. (Plate XL. fig. 3, 2 •) Hab. Sikkim. Expanse. 2 1"45 inch. F E M A L E . U P P E R S I D E : both wings deep black. Cilia greyish fuscous. Fore wing with the disk and base rich blue, with hardly any gloss. Hind wing with the disk and base also rich blue, outwardly nearly to the margin sprinkled with blue scales between the veins ; an anteciliary fine blue line from the anal angle to the third median nervule; anal lobe rufous, with a black centre sprinkled with white scales ; tails black, tipped with white. U N D E R S I D E : both wings rufescent or cinnamon-coloured ; cilia of the colour of the ground. Fore wing with a prominent, slightly outwardly curved, discal line of a deeper shade of red than the ground, outwardly defined by brilliant white, this line does not quite touch the costa, and ends posteriorly at the submedian nervure ; a submarginal indistinct somewhat macular fascia. Hind wing with the discal band as in the fore wing, its upper portion as far as the third median nervule straight, below highly zigzag, and curved upwards to the abdominal margin ; the submarginal fascia as in the fore wing, ending in a small round deep black spot, broadly surrounded with ferruginous in the first median interspace; the anal lobe entirely occupied by a large round deep black spot, crowned with a very few greenish-silvery scales ; the area between the two spots and beyond the anterior one as far as the third median nervule thickly irrorated with black and white scales ; a fine black anteciliary line from the anal angle to tbe third median nervule, defined on both sides by an equally fine pure white line. Most nearly allied to Iolaus ister of Hewitson l, from " India," but differing therefrom in its broader wings, the apex of the fore wing less acute, the outer margin convex, the blue coloration of the upperside deeper and richer in shade and confined to the basal and discal areas of the wings (all these are female characters) ; the markings of the underside much the same, but the discal line on the fore wing considerably further from the margin, rather less so on the hind wing. I have described this species with some hesitation, solely owing to the fact that Hewitson, in describing I. ister, seems 1 111. Diurn. Lep., Lyccenida, p. 43. n. 13, pl. xix. figs. 15, 16, female (1865). |
