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Show 646 DR. A. G. BUTLER ON LEPIDOPTERA FROM [Nov. 7, 11. SAM ANT A PERSPICUA. Mycalesis perspicua, Trimen, Trans. Ent. Soc. London, 1873, p. 104, pi. 1. fig. 3. Zomba, July 1892 and January 1893. This species varies in depth of colour and in the width of the pale outer border to the central belt on the under surface; some examples incline to grey and others to ochreous on this surface. NEOCODNYRA, Butl. Mr. Trimen (P. Z. S. 1891, p. 62) sinks this genus as a synonym Pseudonympha, Wllgr., stating that all the characters which I have given to distinguish it from Ccenyra are such as occur in Pseudonympha ; he fails to notice that the palpi and antennae correspond (as stated in m y diagnosis) with those of Ccenyra. In Pseudonympha, on the other hand, the palpi are clothed with much longer hairs, and the antennae have a flattened spatulate club. As regards the type (N. duplex), which Mr. Trimen sinks as a probable synonym of Tpthima bera, Hewlts., it is not only not nearly allied to the latter, but it has a totally different appearance, all the red markings being entirely unrepresented in Hewitson's species. I quite agree with m y friend in disliking imperfectly characterized genera; but when, after careful comparison with all allied genera, I find it necessary to found a new one, it somewhat surprises me to be informed that it is synonymous with one of the very genera mentioned in the original description as differing in structure. 12. NEOCOSNYRA YPTHIMOIDES, sp. n. Allied to N. bera, slightly larger and much darker, the deeper coloration being especially noticeable on the under surface: primaries above with the paler patch enclosing the ocellus extended to inner margin and confined throughout its length by a sinuated dusky postmedian line and a blackish feebly undulated submarginal line ; a second small ocellus frequently present on the lower median interspace : in the secondaries the submarginal fine is almost regular, not zigzag towards apex as in N. bera; the ocelli vary in number from five to six, that nearest the costa being either large, small, or absent, that on the lower radial interspace either small or absent, the two on the median interspaces largest, as in N. bera, and the two nearest anal angle small and confluent; the pale area enclosing the ocelli is bounded internally by a widely zigzag dusky postmedian line : markings below as above, but sometimes more sharply defined. Expanse of wings 40-48 millim. Zomba, July and December 1892, January 1893. This appears to be a common species, of which the collection contained a long series : I have compared eleven of them with Hewitson's four examples of N. bera and find the differences absolutely constant. |