200 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 



what intermediate between Sikhim form No. 2 and the one I am 

 about to describe. 



No. 3. — This form is totally distinct from either of the other 

 two taken in Sikhim, although it is much closer to No. 2. In 

 expanse, and in the narrow pointed shape of the wings, it agrees 

 with the latter very closely, but the colour of the upper side of 

 all the wings is totally different. 



The following is a description of form No. 3 : — Expanse, "8 to 

 "9 in. Male, slaty grey-brown, powdered with pale blue scales, 

 more especially at the base of the wings, with a pale blue dis- 

 coidal spot on the fore wings, and frequently on the posterior 

 pair ; all the margins brown, but rayed with pale blue, more 

 distinctly in some specimens than in others. In most of the 

 examples the white spots of the under side show through on both 

 the anterior and posterior wings, but are occasionally indistinct 

 on the latter pair. The female differs from the male in being 

 browner, and of a less slaty grey colour, with fewer blue scales 

 at the bases, but the discoidal spots rather more distinctly 

 marked. The under side in both sexes is very similar to those 

 of Nos. 1 and 2, but the marginal border of pale brown spots is 

 much more distinctly defined. 



The peculiar greyish brown colour, with the blue rays and 

 discoidal spots, give this butterfly altogether a very curious and 

 distinctive appearance, totally different to either of the other two 

 forms described, and no forms whatever connecting them were 

 found; so that it appears to be quite distinct, and, in my opinion, 

 deserves to rank as a species. It occurs at the highest altitude of 

 any of the Lycsenidae in the Sikhim Himalayas, having been found 

 by myself between the heights of 15,000 and 18,000 ft. on the 

 extreme upper limits of phanerogamic vegetation. At the former 

 altitude it was very plentiful in July at Momay Samdung, flying 

 among the numerous alpine flowers which flourished in that 

 region ; many specimens were also taken at rest on a species of 

 purple aster. From thence right up to within 500 ft. of the 

 summit of the Donkia Pass it was found sparingly in company 

 with two species of Partiassius, two of Argynnis, one of Colias, 

 and one of (Ends. To this interesting little butterfly I should 

 like to give the name Lyccena altissima. 

 Longfleet, Dorsetshire : May 30th, 1900. 



