234 ARGYNNIS. By Dr. A.- Seitz. 



underside, as in thore, is without any silver, the pale yellow basal spots, median band and very long hastate 

 marginal spots are separated by more or less brown interspaces. In these marginal spots, which are yellow or 

 brownish distally, the black dots of the upperside are distinctly marked. This form from the Amur should 

 really receive a new name, as amphilochus was based by Menetries on an abnormally black specimen. — Still 

 paler than this Amur-form are the specimens from the Kentei Mts., which Staudinger has separated as elatus 

 e/atus. (68d) on account of their colour and larger size. — erda Christ, is above more orange-red, amphilochus being 

 erda. brown-red; beneath the interspaces are more cinnamon-red or dark chestnut-brown, while they are dull brick- 

 red in amphilochus. North-East Siberia (district of the Vilui R.). — The larva of amphilochus, which hibernates 

 very young, feeds on a species of Saxifraga; the later stages are not known. The butterflies occur at precipices 

 and on stony slopes and do not appear to be abundant. They visit with preference the flowers of Leontodon 

 taraxacum (Graeser). 



thore. A. thore Hbii. (68e). The nymotypical form of this species is easily recognized by the prevalence of 



black on the upperside. This colour predominates to such a degree as in other species is only the case in 

 melanistic aberrations. Also the ground-colour of the underside is duller than in all the other Argynnis, the 

 hindwing varying from dark brick-red to cinnamon-brown, only the median band being dark yellow. In 

 the Alps, but at moderates heights in the forest region, not above 6000 ft. Also in the high North, Scan- 

 dinavia and Finland. Northern specimens on the whole paler than alpine ones. — The species is represented 

 hypertainprn. in the Pyrenees by hyperlampra Fruhst. (68e). Smaller and paler, the black markings of the upperside more 

 borealis. interrupted, all the spots of the forewing being isolated; the underside more unicolorous, paler. — In borealis 

 Stgr. (68e) the ground-colour is essentially paler, more leather-yellow, but much reduced by the confluent black 

 hypercala. markings, which are especially heavy in the median area; from East Siberia. — hypercala Fruhst., from the 

 Altai, differs from borealis in the lesser size and tlie paler yellow colour of the upperside, the black markings 

 excellens. usually being sparser. — excellens Krulik., on the other hand, is a larger form with bright reddish yellow ground- 

 hyperusia. colour and very prominent black markings; from East Russia. — hyperusia Fruhst. has the black markings 

 isolated like hyperlampra, but the ground-colour is light ochreous; the submarginal spots of the hindwing 

 are exceptionally large. Only the median spots of the hindwing are confluent; from the Amur. — Egg conical, 

 flattened above, ribbed, pale greenish yellow. The young larva pale yellowish with black head; adult black, 

 inclusive of head and legs, with longitudinal brownish yellow or flesh-colour stripes and grey spines. The 

 half grown larva black with orange-red spots (Chapmann); autumn until May, can be reared on violets. The 

 butterflies occur from June until August in damp meadows in the valleys and the woods on mountains; they 

 show a preference for the flowers of Geranium aconitifolium and like to rest on low bushes of Juniper. They 

 are not rare where they occur, but do not appear in such numbers as euphrosyne and amathusia. 



hecate. A. hecate W . V . (68f). Darker red-brown tlian most of the preceding species, above similar to niobe, 



the wings more rounded, the spots thin but sharply defined, all separated from each other, only the median 

 dentate line of the hindwing continuous. The underside is very characteristic; it has no silver and is alternately 

 light yellow and cinnamon-red; the light yellow median band is somewhat shifted basad and is less curved 

 than in euphrosyne, thore, amphilochus, etc. In Central and South Europe, France, Northern Italy, especially 

 caiicasica. Austria-Hungary, Russia and Asia Minor. — caucasica Stgr. (68f) is a rather large form, which is more yellowish 

 brown above and very light yellow on the hindwing beneath, the cinnamon-brown being much reduced; from 



alaica. the shores of the Black Sea, especially Armenia. — alaica Stgr. (68g), from the Pamir and the Ala-Dagh, is 

 rather strongly edged with black above, while the black markings are much reduced on the rest of the surface, 



aigina. especially in the outer third of the forewing. — aigina Fruhst., from Andalusia, is paler on both sides, the basal 



half of the hindwing above lighter and the hindwing beneath more uniformly yellow, the russet-red being entirely 



priscilla. absent or only vestigial as some smears. — Of individual aberrations ab. priscilla Schultz is characterized by 



avernensis. a broad black median band and ab. avernensis Guill. by the darkened upperside having a bluish sheen. — The 



larva is not yet described; it is said to be found on Dorycnium suffruticosum from September until May. The 



butterflies occur from the end of May till July on mountain meadows and clearings in woods, being very local. 



'"o- A. ino Rott. (= dictynna Schiff. nee Esp.) {68g). Above somewhat resembling hecate, usually rather 



brighter red-brown and more coarsely spotted. The median band of the hindwing beneath is strongly shifted 

 basad as in hecate and is straighter than in all the above-mentioned species, commencing at a considerable 

 distance proximally to the centre of the costa and ending not far above the anal angle. The band as well as 

 the basal area bordered by it are light yellow; on the outer area, however, there are cinnamon-brown clouds, 

 part of the submarginal row of ocelli being shaded with this colour. Central and South Europe (not occurring 

 Clara, in Great Britain), going further north in the East. — clara Stgr. (= achasis Fruhst.) (68h), from the Kentei 



