LY CASNIDAS, NACADUBA. 153 
the full number of sections to the discal band, the last two sections (they can hardly be called 
spots) are sometimes in line and sometimes decidedly out of line ; the failure of the last spot of 
a discal series or the last section of a discal band is of frequent occurrence in the Lycenide ; 
therefore, since both 4. avdates and NV. bhutea appear to be common in Sikkim, I feel some 
doubt as to the validity of the latter as a distinct species ; at the same time, with only the 
figure of this form before me, I cannot positively assert that it is not distinct.” 
“TI have, since the above was written, seen one imperfect specimen of 4, 64etea in Mr. 
Moore’s collection ; I should certainly hesitate to describe so nearly-allied a form myself.” 
(Butler, Ann. and Mag. of Nat. Hist., fifth series, vol. xvi, p. 335,"- 71 (1885). 
With reference to Mr. Butler’s remarks above, I have carefully examined the large series 
of specimens of the tailed and tailless forms of V. avdates, Moore, and of JM. éhetea, mihi, cap- 
tured in Sikkim, in the collection of Mr. Otto Moller. I find that the characters I gave as 
distinctive for the latter hold good: NM. dhutea averages distinctly larger, the coloration of 
the upperside (not mentioned before) is darker, and the markings of the underside of the 
forewing are also less numerous, and neither Mr. Méller or I have any difficulty whatever 
in distinguishing between the two species. I may further add that before describing 
XN. bhutea, I sent the type specimen to Mr. F. Moore for examination, and he gave it as his 
opinion that it was a ‘‘ species distinct from MV. ardates,’ The female of M, dduzea has still to 
be discovered. A. éhutea does not appear to have a tailless form, 
A closely-allied species, if indeed distinguishable from WV. avdates, Moore, has been de- 
scribed as below from the Malay Peninsula, Borneo, and the Philippines. * 
730. Nacaduba ardates, Moore, (PLATE XXVII, Fic. 185 &, TAILLESS FORM). 
Lyceua ardates, Moore, Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., 1874, p. 574, pl. Ixvii, fig. 1; Nacaduba ardates, 
Moore, Lep. Cey., vol. i, p. go, pl. xxxviii, figs, 2, 2a, male (1881) ; idem, id.,}. c., vol. iii, p. 530 (1887); id., de 
Nicéville, Journ, A, S. B., vol. liv, pt. 2, p. 3 (1885); id., Butler, Ann. and Mag. of Nat. Hist., fifth series, 
vol. xvi, p. 335) n. 71 (1885) ; id., Doherty, Journ. A. S. B., vol. lv, pt. 2, p. 133, n- 174 (1886). 
Habitat : Throughout India (except the desert tracts), the outer Himalayas, Ceylon, 
Burma, the Andaman and Philippine Isles. 
EXpPANSE: 6, ‘85 toro; 2, ‘85 to 1°05 inches. 
DeEscRIPTION: “ MALE. UPPERSIDE. 40th wings bluish-purple, exterior marginal line 
black. Hindwing with a short tail black. UNDERSIDE, doth wings dark fawn-colour. 
Forewing with two pale-bordered brown spots within an one below the cell, an irregular 
discal series, and a submarginal row of dentate lunules. Aiadwing with an irregular sub- 
basal and discal pale-bordered brown band, a submarginal row of dentate lunules and 
contiguous marginal spots, a prominent subanal round black spot speckled with metallic 
green scales. Cilia greyish, with dark inner line.” (JZoore, 1, c. in Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., 1874). 
“* FEMALE. UPPERSIDE, doth wings violet-brown. Forewing with lower medial area suffused 
with cobalt-blue. Hindwing with a marginal row of white-bordered indistinct black spots, 
the penultimate more distinct.” UNDERSIDE, doth wings as in the male. (JZoore, 1. c. in Lep, 
Cey., vol. I, p. 90). 
eee ee Eee ——————————————————————————— 
* Nacaduba aluta, Druce. Cupido aluta, Druce, Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., 1873, p. 349, n. 16, pl. xxxit, 
fig. 8, male; Lampides aluta, Butler, Trans. Linn. Soc. Lond., Zoology, second series, vol. 1, Pp. 547, D. 4 
(1877); Nacaduba aluta, Butler, Ann. and Mag. of Nat. Hist., fifth series, vol. xi, p. 417, n. 58 (1883) ; 
id., Distant, Rhop. Malay., p. 220, n. 4, pl. xx, figs. 14, male; 13, female (1884). Hasirar: Borneo 
(Druce), Sungei Ujong, Malacca (Distant), Mindanao, Philippines (Sx¢/er). ExpansE : Male, 10 ; female, 8 
ofan inch. DESCRIPTION ; MALE. ‘* UpeERSIDE, oth wings dark lavender-blue, outer margins brown. UNDER- 
sipB, doth wings pale brown, crossed by nine broken white lines ; an orange spot at the anal angle, with a black 
centre.” (Druce, |. c.) ‘* FEMALE. Uppersipe, both wings fuscous-brown, Forewing with a discal patch 
of bluish scales, the outer margin darker. Aindwing with the posterior margin darker and inwardly margined 
with greyish, before which are a marginal row of dark spots placed between the nervules. Cz/éa brownish-ochra- 
ceous. UNDERSIDE, doth wings somewhat bright ochraceous, with the markings as in the other sex, but with 
the marginal row of dark spots on the upperside of the hindwing distinct beneath ; the black spot near the 
anal angle with a few scattered greenish scales,” (Distant, |. c.) 
“ Nearly allied to Z. [=V.] xora of Felder, from Amboina, but smaller, with less acuminate forewing.’’ 
(Butler, \, c. in Trans. Linn, Soc.) : 
: Mr. Druce’s figure and description of the male of this species are absolutely useless ; from Mr. Distant's 
figures I judge that this species is indistinguishable from V, ardates, Moore, the latter being distinctly variable, 
especially in the colour of the ground onthe underside. 
20 
