THE ENTOMOLOGISTL. 
Vou. XIX.] JUNE, 1886. [No. 277. 
VARIATIONS OF MELITAA ATHALIA, Rort. 
By W. F. pe Vismes Kang, M.R.I.A., F.E.S. 
In the report of the South London Entomological and 
Natural History Society for i885 there are some interesting 
notes, by Mr. South, on forms of Melitea athalia, Rott., bred 
from North Devon larve. Certain of the specimens are stated 
to approach very closely to Swiss M. aurelia, Nick.; another to 
approximate to Swiss N. dictynna, Esp. ; and some of the under 
sides to resemble those of Swiss M. parthenie, Bkh. 
Mr. South’s notes of these forms are very reconcilable with 
the unstable conditions that at present prevail in the group of 
Melitea, comprising the allied species of athalia, Rott., aurelia, 
Nick., parthenie, Bkh., dictynna, Esp., and their varieties. ‘The 
group is undoubtedly a perplexing one ; and with its topomorphic, 
oromorphic (mountain), and pediomorphic (plain) forms, presents 
a field for laborious but interesting study. 
In the first place I may point out that the patterns presented 
by the under sides are extremely variable and uncertain; that of 
dictynna, however, presenting some remarkable features, variable 
indeed, and partially reproduced among specimens of allied 
species, but still of a distinct character. The pearly band of the 
variety varia also is very characteristic, but merges into that of 
the type, parthenie, Bkh. As all the rest are infinitely changeable 
both in colour and shape of marking, no conclusion can, | 
think, safely be drawn from the under side of Mr. South’s 
Devon insects. 
As to the similarity to M. aurelia, Nick., it will be found that 
ENTOM.— JUNE, 1886. U 
