LYCANID. TARUCUS, 193 
however is admittedly not constant, the character is of no value) : the subcostal spot sometimes 
[only] confluent with it (again an inconstant, valueless character): the dashes beyond the 
medial striga confluent (but this is the case in very many specimens of 7: ¢heophrastus) : the 
hindwing markings varying from rust-red to black (thus no character is established in respect 
to this particular): they correspond in character with those of Kollar’s 7 nara, (which are 
entirely unknown). If the above be critically considered, it will be found that not one single 
character remains by which to distinguish 7. extricatus. The colourless, characterless, descrip- 
tion will suit 7. ¢heophrastus in any of its forms. In the ‘rust-red’ markings of some specimens 
of the form there is agreement with 7. a/feratus : but that form has a deeper blue upper surface 
in the male, while this form is of a pale violet tint, which, however, it shares with many 
ordinary 7. theophrastus. 
In the above description Mr. Butler defines the supposed differences between 7. extricatus 
and his conception of Kollar’s 7. zara, but he gives little indication how the former is supposed 
to differ from 7. ¢heophrastus. The specimen Mr. Butler figured must be abnormally small, as 
he speaks afterwards of obtaining another male specimen from Campbellpore ‘about twice 
the size of my type, or about as large as the smaller examples of 7. xara.” 
757, Tarueus venosus, Moore. (PLATE XXVII, Fic. 1894). 
T. venosus, Moore, Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., 1882, p. 245, pl. xii, figs. 6, 6a, male; id,, Doherty, Journ. 
A. S.B., vol. lv, pt. 2, p. 132, n. 160 (1886) ; id., Butler, Ann. and Mag. of Nat. Hist., sixth series, vol. i, p. 147, 
n. 48 (1888). 
HasitaT: Dharmsala; Kulu Valley; Kala Pani, N.-W. India, 30th August, 1886 ; 
Bagheswar, Sarju Valley, common, also in the Kali Valley, 2-4,000 feet, Kumaon ; Malda 
district. 
EXPANSE: ¢@, 2, I°o to 1'3 inches. 
DESCRIPTION : “€ Allied to 7: theophrastus, Fabricius, and to 7: #ara, Kollar. Wings larger 
and broader, forewing less triangular, the exterior margin more convex. UPPERSIDE, both wings 
duller blue than in 7. ¢heophrastus and 7. nara, and of a slight violaceous tinge, with a broad 
marginal dusky border, similar to that inthe male [? female] of Zizera chandala [= Z, maha, 
Kollar], veins dark-lined. Forewing with a broad dusky spot [in the cell]. Aindwing with a 
slender lunule at the end of the cell, and a slender white marginal line above the tail. UNDERSIDE 
similar to the above-quoted species, all the markings, however, being broader in both sexes, 
FEMATtE. UPPERSIDE, doth wings entirely violet-brown, with the exception of a very few 
blue scales sparsely disposed on the basal area. Forewing with an indistinct darker cell-spot. 
Hindwing with a spot above the tail, UNDERSIDE as in the male. Cilia whitish,” 
(Moore, |. c.) 
I believe 7. venosus to be a distinct species, though breeding may prove it to be a dark 
form of 7. ¢heophrastus only, occurring in the rains. It is the largest species of the genus, has 
a very broad outer black margin on the upperside of both wings, the markings below large 
and prominent. The number of the black spots on the upperside of the forewing in the male 
varies considerably, five being the common number, I tovk aconsiderable series of it in the 
Kulu Valley, in July, the specimens hovering round and settling on a Zizyphus bush, on which 
the larva doubtless feeds. Mr. A. Grahame Young has also taken it in Kulu in August. As 
typical 7. xara and 7. alteratus occur also in the same spot, it is by no means improbable 
that they are all one species, 7. a/teratus being the spring broad, 7. venosus the rains’ brood, 
and 7, mara appearing just before or just after the rains. Major J. W. Yerbury reports that 
7. venosus occurs commonly at Campbellpore almost all the year round, also that he gets it 
commonly on the lower slopes at Murree and Thundiani in August and September. The 
former statement requires verification ; it is most desirable that accurate observations should 
be made as to the exact times of appearance of this species. My own belief is that it occurs 
only in the rains. Mr, W. H. Irvine has sent me a single male taken at Bholahat in the 
Malda district, which I am unable to separate from this species, 
25 
