162 .WMPHALID^. 



one-jointed, subcylindric, slightly' tapering towards the apex, about two thirds the length of the 

 tibia. 

 Middle and Posterior Legs rather short. Tibiae much shorter than the femora, spiny all round ; 

 the spurs distinct, stout. Tarsi about equal in length to the femora, spiny above and below, the 

 lateral spines, and those of the lower surface longer than those of the upper surface ; the basal 

 joint considerably longer than the rest combined ; second, third, and fourth, progressively 

 shorter ; fifth elongate, oval, scarcely shorter than the second. Claws curved, compressed. 

 Paronychia only rudimentary. Pulvilli jointed, not so long as the claws. 

 Abdomen rather slender, about two thirds the length of the inner margin of the posterior wings. 



Larva and Pupa unknown. 



Lachnoptern is remarkable for the peculiar patch of hair-like scales on the posterior wings of the males, the only sex 

 I have seen. These scales resemble those met with in the males of the Ilipparchia?, and their allies, in being elongate, 

 almost linear, slightly wider at the base, which is deeply notched ; the footstalk by which they are attached to the wing 

 being situated in the deepest part of the notch. Towards the apex they gradually taper to a slender stalk, terminating 

 in a vane, like the tail feathers of the raquet- tailed humming-birds, fringed externally. This patch of scales of peculiar 

 form is probably here, as in the Hipparchia?, a sexual character ; but though I have seen little less than thirty males of 

 this rare insect, I have never yet seen the female, which possibly is the P. Thais of Fabricius. 



The short pulvillus, and the apparent want of paronychia, are good distinctive characters for this genus. 



Its Geographical Eange appears to be limited to the equatorial regions of Western Africa. 



LACHNOPTERA. 



1. Lach. Iole Doubleday cy Hewitson, t. 22. f. 2. (1847). 

 Fab. Spec. Ins. ii. 78. n. 348. (1782). 

 Fab. Syst. Ent. in. i. 99. n. 307. (1793). 

 Arg. Iole Godt. Enc. M. ix 260. n. 11. (1819). 

 P. Laodice Cram. t. 157. f. E. F. (1777). 

 Issoria Anticlea Hiibn. Verz. bek. Schmett. 31. (181(5). 

 ? ? P. Thais Fab Ent. Syst. in. i. 14y. 11. 456. (1793). 



Note. — I have reluctantly followed Godart in adopting the Fabrician name Iole, instead of Cramer's which has the priority. 

 The P. Laodice of Pallas being an Argynnis, it is well not to have the same specific name for two species, which many would 

 consider congeneric. 



