JOURNAL OF ENTOMOLOGY. 
No. VII.—January 1863. 
‘.—Notes on the Genus Iphias; with Descriptions of two new Species 
from the Moluccas. By Aurrep R. WALLAcE. 
genus Iphias (Boisduval) has hitherto consisted of but two 
sies, both known since the time of Linneus. Having myself 
covered in the Moluccas two new species allied to I. lewcippe, and 
ding that J. glaucippe consists of several distinct varieties, each 
e inhabiting a limited district, I propose to point out the characters 
3tinguishing these, and make some remarks on the habits and dis- 
ibution of this interesting genus. 
The species of Zphias are all large and handsome butterflies, fre- 
_ quenting the skirts of forests and the margins of streams in forest 
districts. The males often settle on the ground in damp or muddy 
places, in company with many Papilionide and Pieridae. When 
thus resting, with wings erect, they are at once distinguishable from 
ul around them by the peculiar attitude they assume, the upper 
wings being depressed between the lower pair, so that its basal half 
is completely hidden by them. As probably a consequence of this, 
we find that this basal half of the upper wings is always pale in 
colour on the under side, and devoid of the characteristic markings 
of the exposed portions. The females fly rather low, in woods and 
thickets, and, seldom coming out into the open grounds, are therefore 
less frequently captured. 
The three species found in the Moluccas are all scarce insects, 
whereas that which inhabits the western islands of the Archipelago 
and the continent of India (J. leucippe) is much more abundant, and 
is one of the most striking and beautiful of the insect ornaments of 
these regions. When in fine condition, the red patch on the upper 
Wings has iridescent violet reflexions, which are still more con- 
spicuous in the superb J. leweippe of Amboyna. 
VOL. II. B 
. rth f\ 
