29 



fawn-coloured. The latter with several indented and waved lines, some being darker and some lighter 

 than the general colour of the wings. On the anterior is a large chocolate patch, situated on the middle 

 of the wings, and joining to the anterior edge ; between which and the shoulders is another that is much 

 smaller. 



Under Side. Tongue obsolete. Palpi, breast, abdomen, and wings brown, as on the upper side ; 

 the latter immaculate, except a dark patch on each wing near the shoulders. Margins of the wings 

 slightly dentated. 



NYMPHALIS ERITHONIUS. 



Plate XV. fig. 1, -2. 



Order: Lepidoptera. Section: Diunia. Family: Nymplialidne, Sicajn*. 



Genus. Nvmpiialis, Lutr. God. Papilio (Dan. Festivi), Linn. Drury. 



Xymphalis JIedon. Alls deiitatis, supra fiiscis ; aiiticis utrinrpie fascia obliquft lutca, apice albo ; posticis fascia 

 violaceo-coerulpsccnti, singulis subtiis punctis tribus, (^Expans. Alar. 3 unc. 7 lin.) 



Syn. Papilio (Nymi)h.) Ei-ithonius, Ftihr. Eat. Syst. 111. 1. p. 82. No. 2o.'i. Lntr. S.- God. Em: Mcth. ix. 

 p. 390. No. 142. (Nympbalis F,r.) 

 Papilio ( Dan. Festivi) Eupalus, Fair. Eat. Syst. 111. 1 ij. 48. No. 148. 

 Papilio Harpalyce, Cram.pl. Ii5. Jiff. D. E. 

 Papilio (Eqn. Achiv.) Medon, Drury, App.voL 2. (Exclus. Syn. Liiiii. S; Fnbr.) 



Habitat: Sierra Leone. 



Upper Side. AnteniiEe black, lighter at the tips. Head black. Thora.\ and abdomen dark brown. 

 Anterior wings dark red brown, tipped with white ; but next the shoulders of a purplish hue, with a 

 dark yellow streak near the tips, extending obliquely from the anterior towards the external edge. 

 Posterior wings also red brown; but towards the middle and shoulders of a purplish blue, which they 

 reflect more or less according to the position they are held in. 



Under Side. Palpi and breast yellow. Anterior wings olive brown, tipped with white ; but along 

 the external edges of a hazel colour, and near the shoulders having three round black spots on each. 

 Posterior wings similar to the anterior, being of a brown olive, variegated, and clouded, with three small 

 spots placed near the shoulders, as in the superior ones. W\ the wings are a little dentated. 



There are several African species closely allied to the present insect, which was re- 

 garded by Drury as the Medon of Linnaeus. I have followed the Encyclopedie Metho- 

 dique in rejecting this reference ; although it will be seen that the Linnsean description of 

 that insect, " alis supra nigris primoribus fascia lutea apiceque albo ; posticis disco coeru- 

 lescentibus," does not disagree with the character of this insect. 



According to Mr. Smeathman this species was taken at some distance inland upon the 

 continent of Africa ; adding, " there are several Papiliones nearly of this colour, that is to 

 say, with the upper sides of the wings having a changeable purple, and the under sides 

 being inclinable to green, sometimes with marks of the most beautiful crimson. The 

 differences between them arise so gradually, that he thinks them varieties of the same 

 species, some, apparently very different, being found coupled together. They are all found 

 congregating in the paths, and in the thick shade of a forest, ten or a dozen in a circle 

 round a little puddle or moist spot, and seem to like the most gloomy places." 



