NYMPHALIDiE. — NYMPHALIN^. — NEPTIS. 



III.— NEPTIS ANCEPS. Figs. 5, 6. 



Neptis A)icq)s, H. Grose Smith, " Novitates Zoologicse," I., p. 353 

 (1894). 



Exp. 2 inches. 



Upperside. Both wings dark brown, anterior wings with two minute 

 viohxceous-bhie spots in the cell, two beyond it between the lowest subcostal 

 and upper discoidal nervule, the outermost centred with white, and a triangular 

 violaceous-blue patch, having its apex between the two uppermost median 

 nervules, and its base on the inner margin about its middle ; a submarginal 

 row of eight round white spots, the lowest almost obsolete. Posterior wings with 

 an irregular violaceous-blue bar before the middle, commencing between the 

 subcostal nervules, where it is narrowest, and becoming wider towards the inner 

 margin, where it becomes pale, a submarginal row of white spots, those in the 

 middle most distinct. 



Undeeside brown, with a submarginal row of white spots, larger and more 

 distinct than on the upperside. Anterior wings with a grey streak at the base 

 above the cell, and a whitish stripe along part of the inner margin. There are 

 three white spots, slightly tinged with blue, in the cell, and two beyond, the 

 last rather indistinct. Posterior wings with a grey streak at the base of the 

 costa, followed closely by a broad gi'ey band extending partially down the inner 

 margin at the base. 



The incisions of all the wings are spotted with white, both above and 

 below. 



Body black above, probably with dull blue markings, when fresh ; abdomen 

 yellowish in the middle below ; palpi and legs streaked with white beneath. 



Hab. Humboldt Bay, New Guinea (Doherty, September-October, 1892). 



In the Collections of tte Hon. W. Eothschild and Mr. H. G-rose Smith. 



"I have considerable hesitation in describing this as a species distinct from JV. Venilia, Linn., 

 but the wings are shorter and broader than in that sjaeeies. In some of the specimens there are 

 white spots in the blue bands, varying in size and number, but in no specimen are they so wide 

 as the white spots in the blue bands in N. Venilia, and on the underside of the hind wings the 

 bands which cross the wings are narrower" (H. G. S., loc. cit.). 



