32 



9. Melanippos Cram. (PI. XIV, fig. 2-] a, 2-]^). 



Cramer, //, /. 44,//. 127, A. B. (i779) Papilio Melanippus. 



//, /. 128, /-/. 180, A. (1779) - Hegesippus. 



Distant, R/iof^. Mai, p. 19, tab. 2,/io. i (1882— 1886). Danais Melanippus 



var. Hegesippus. 

 Staudinger, Exo/. 5(7/;;/., /. 49,// 25 c? (1884—1888). Danais Hegesippus. 

 Moore, Lcp. hid., I, /. 49, //. \\,Jig- i, i«, \b{\'6<^o). Salatura 

 Fruhstorfer, (Seitz, Grossachm. der Ercie), /. 196, 



/-/. 77<: (1910) , , Melanippus. 



Snellen noted that in the present species cell \a in the fore-wings is 

 entirely blackish brown on the upper side, whereas in D. Genutia it invariably 

 shows a brownish yellow longitudinal band. 



The form Hegesippus Cram., which exhibits on the hinds wings a strong 

 diffusion of white, does not occur in Java, although in some of the specimens 

 of the type, found there, the under side of the hind-wings has a decided 

 tendency to become white. 



The amount of black on the upper side and that of whitish on the under 

 side of the hind-wings varies in individuals without any inter-relation, however, 

 and without this variation, apparently, depending on the period at which they 

 are captured. It is simply a manifestation ot the irregularity in the process of 

 colour evolution. 



D. Melanippus Cram, is evidendy closely related in form to D. Genutia 

 Cram., although the larvae distinctly differ; it is a species which has advanced 

 further in the process of colour evolution than the latter, hence the general 

 colouring on the upper side is of a much lighter orange than is the case as a rule 

 in Genutia, a few specimens excepted, and hence also on the hind-wings 

 much more white occurs which becomes especially diffused in the form Hegesippus. 

 In other species of Danais, not occurring in Java, the original colour has 

 remained a much more intense red. Thus the entire evolutional fading process 

 from red to white is clearly demonstrated by a comparison of many species of 

 the genus. 



W. J. Batavia (3 — 14) confined to the lowest districts, in the Pademangan 

 Wood and even on the coral islet Edam, situate at an hour's distance north 

 of Batavia; Buitenzorg (265); Tjampea (160) and in the mountains in the prov. 

 Prayangan (+1000 — 1700). 



C. J. ? 



E. J. ? 



