RHOPALOCERA MALAYAXA. 77 



here figured, with a Nepaulese male* to represent the D. menctho, Fal)r., as a distinct species, 

 especially as the Fabrician type is not contained in the British Museum. Moreover, the same 

 author f has given Donovan's figure as agreeing with the I), menctho, Fabr., but this is unlike 

 the female Malaccan form, and if such wide variation is allowed (as appears only reasonable 

 and just) it is difficult to understand how the distinction of the two proposed species can l)e 

 maintained. 



The larva is figured by Horsfield (ante, p. G7, tig. 10), and is described as feeding, in Java, 

 on the young leaves of Corcos uudfcra from December to January.]; This is the larval food-plant, 

 according to the same authority, of Amathusia phidippus. 



Genus THAUMANTIS. 



Thaumantis, Hiibner, Samml. Ex. Schmott. (1816-1824); Blanch. Hist. Nat. Ins. iii. p. 455 (1840) ; Wcstw. 

 Gen. Diiu-u. Lop. p. 835 (1851); Trans. Ent. Soc. sor. 2, vol. iv. p. 170 (1858). 



Anterior wings subtriangular ; costal margin very much arched, the apex more or less rounded, the 

 inner margin nearly straight. First subcostal nervule emitted a little before the end of the cell, anastomosing 

 with the costal nervure for some distance, and then apparently reflexed to costa ; the second pursuing a like 

 course a little before apex of costal nervure ; remaining nervules emitted before or near apex of costal 

 nervure. Discoidal nervules well separated at their origin. First median nervule strongly arched, but not 

 angulated beyond apex of cell. Posterior wings more or less ovate, the anal angle sometimes moderately 

 produced ; disk of costal margin nearly straight. First median nervule strongly arched and angulated 

 towards discoidal nervule. Discoidal cell with the apex quite unclosed. 



Thaumaniis is a genus which is found in Continental India, Tenasserim, the Indo-Malayan 

 Region, Siam, and as far north as Shanghai, and comprises at the present time about a dozen 

 described species. Allusion has already been made to its striking genetic affinity with the 

 American genus Morpho, and, as in that genus, Thaumantis also possesses tw^o typical forms of 

 coloration, which may roughly be described as the blue and the tawny types. 



A good example of the blue species of Thaumantis is afforded by TJuajwr (Tab. IX. f. 8 & 0), 

 which approximates towards the predominating facies of Morpho, while T. pseudaliris (Tab. VIII. 

 f. 3) and T. louisa (a Tenasserim species) reflect more or less faithfully the features of that portion 

 of the genus Morpho which is represented by M. meteUm and allies. 



Three species only have, as yet, been received from the Malay Peninsula. § 



1. Thaumantis lucipor. (Tab. IX., tig. 8 >? , 9 2 •) 



Thaumantis Lwipo,; Westwood, Geii. Diiiiii. Lop. p. 337, n. 5, mW (1851); Trans. Ent. Soc. ser. 2, vol. iv. 

 p. 173, n. 5, t. 19 (1858) ; Hors'f. & Moore, Cat. Lcp. Mus. E. I. C. i. p. 215, n. 443 (18.57) ; Druce, 

 Proc. Zool. Soc. 1873, p. 341, n. 2. 



Male. Wings above pale chocolate-brown, the disks of both wings darker, and with dark and resplendent 

 bluish reflections, which do not extend to the costal area and wide outer margin (diminishing from apex) of 



* I possess a male from Borneo which greatly resembles this specimen. t Cat. Fabr. Lep. p. 45, n. 2. 



I Horsf. & Moore, Cat. Lep. Mus. E. I. C. i. p. 21'2. 



§ In the 'Cat. of Dium. Lepid. formed bv W. C. Hcwitson,' p. 108 (18791, T. aliris, Westw., is stated to liave been 

 received from Miilacca. This, however, from examination, proves to be an erroneous liabitat, as tlie Maiacca,n specmiens 

 represent the T. pseudaliris, Butl., which is here described. .Although Mr. Kirby compiled the catalogue he is m no way 

 answerable for the identifications, having followed those of Hewitson throughout. 



September 30, 1882. ^ 



