COMMON BUTTERFLIES OF THE PLAINS OF INDIA. bib 



It comprises a very large number of species which shew considerable 

 structural variation, but they form such a distinct group all resembling 

 each other so closely that the plan adopted by Colonel Bingham, of treating 

 them all as one genus, is the most satisfactory, particularly for amateurs. 



The genus is, properly speaking, a Pal<earctic and Noarctic one, that is 

 to say, its main distribution is throughout the northern hemisphere- 

 There are about 16 species belonging to the Indian fauna, but all except 

 two are confined to the Himalayas and the hills of Assam. The 

 species we have figured, A. hj^perbius, and the closely allied species 

 castetsi are the only purely tropical forms in the genus. 



Before describing these it would be as well to mention that there is 

 a butterfly (Cupha phalantha) found all over India, which will be 

 described in a later paper, which has all the typical fritillery 

 markings and is certain to be treated as one by a collector fresh from 

 home. As a matter of fact, however, it is structurally distinct and belongs 

 to a different section of the family. The resemblance is very curious, 

 as it cannot be explained by mimicry. One dare not use the word 

 accidental in science, but the resemblance is as yet unaccounted for by 

 any plausible theory. 



Argynnis hyperbiUS, Johan. Male. Forewing bright orange yellow 

 with the following black markings : four lineal spots in the cell, the 

 two central ones sometimes joined above and below so as to form one 

 kidney-shaped spot with a yellow centre. A lineal black spot at the 

 end of the call. Three spots below the cell, decreasing in size towards 

 the base. Three quadrate spots beyond the cell, between the veins and 

 a fourth beyond them between veins 6 and 7. A waved line of 

 six round spots beyond these, the third and sixth the smallest. A 

 submarginal row of longitudinal spots between the veins and a marginal 

 row of more or less connected spots on the veins. Fringe or cilia 

 between them whitish. 



Hindwing usually slightly paler than the forewing. An irregular 

 black spot in the cell, a small spot at the end of it, an irregular row 

 of six lunulate spots beyond the cell between the veins and a row 

 of five round spots bayond it. Marginal and submarginal spots as in 

 the forewing, but increasing in size towards the anal angle, and suffused 

 with bluish. 



Underside. — Forewing with the basal two-thirds orange and the 

 apical third pale ochreous. Spots as on the upperside except those 



