NYMPHALID.E. — NYMPHALIN^. — NEPTIS. 



IV.— NEPTIS DORCAS. Figs. 7, 8. 



Ncptis Dorcax, H. Grose Smith, " Novitates Zoologicae," I., p. 354 (1894). 



Exp. 2^ inches. 



Upperside with spots and markings very hke N. I'msUni, Boisd., from New 

 Ireland, but the wings are brown. On the anterior wings the basal streak in 

 the coll is less linear, and is truncated at its outer end, the spot in the cell 

 beyond it is larger and more quadrate ; the outer pair of spots between the 

 median nervules are larger, and the submarginal row of minute spots and 

 streaks which in N. Praslini follow the outline of the outer margin, is almost 

 obsolete. On the posterior wings, in place of the white oval patch which covers 

 the middle part of the posterior wings of IV. Fraxlini, there is a rather broad 

 white longitudinal band, divided by the black veins, which crosses the wings 

 before the middle from the first subcostal nervule to near the inner margin. 

 The upper spot in tliis band is separated from the next, except towards the 

 l)asc ; the next spot, which traverses the cell, is elongate beyond the cell, and 

 outwardly acute ; the other spots below the cell are narrower and diminishing to 

 the inner margin ; beyond the middle is a row of subtriangular white spots, 

 larger and more distinct than the row of spots in a similar position in 

 jV. Praslini, which are linear and less distinct ; beyond this is a submarginal row 

 of white streaks as in N. Praslini. 



Underside. The anterior wings resemble N. Praslini, but the basal streak 

 in the cell is more dilated, and covers its entire base ; the other spots and 

 markings very much as in N. Praslini, but whiter. On the posterior wings the 

 outer edge of the longitudinal white band which crosses the wings as above, is 

 very irregular, and less defined than the oval patch of iV. Praslini ; the spots are 

 also whiter. 



Body black, abdomen beneath, and legs, brown ; front legs white on the 

 inner side ; pectus spotted with yellowish-white behind. 



Hab. Biak. 



la the Collection of the Hon. Walter Eothschild. 



" Two specimens, in one of which the triangular spot beyond the cell of the anterior wings 

 is elongated, and extends outwardly as far as the outer side of the two discal spots below " 

 (H. G. S., loc. ciL). 



