significance of ivinfi-markiiigs. 99 



we find the whole series of black submarginal spots with 

 their blue centres complete and conspicuous. In the 

 latter insect the crescentic outline of the spots, constant 

 in V. polychloros, is mostly lost ; and the spots become 

 fused into a black band easily distinguishable from the 

 dark chocolate colour of the general surface of the wing. 

 An indication of the formation of this band by the fusion 

 of separate members, each corresponding to an inter- 

 space, is preserved both by the crenated outline of the 

 band and also by the blue centres, which in this species 

 are large and conspicuous, their outline tending to 

 become roundish or oval. The character of this sub- 

 marginal band or chain of spots in V. urtica bears a 

 strong general resemblance to the same in V. polychloros, 

 but in V. urticcB the distinct development of the blue 

 centres in the upper wings marks an approximation to 

 the condition in F. antiopa, which is also borne out in 

 some specimens by a tendency towards complete fusion 

 of the black spots, and the substitution of an oval or 

 roundish outline for the crescentic shape of the centres. 



Having now examined this system of blue and black 

 markings in its almost evanescent condition in P. carclui 

 and P. atnlanta, and its state of greater development in 

 V. poli/chloros, A. prorsa and Icvana, V. urticce and 

 V. antiopa, we will glance at two or three species closely 

 allied to those mentioned, in which we shall find it 

 represented under curiously modified forms ; and then 

 proceed to consider whether there is any evidence which 

 may throw light upon its histor3^ 



If anyone will attentively examine the tip of the fore 

 wing in V. io and compare it with the same region in 

 V. urticcB, he will not be long in coming to the conclusion 

 that the black crescent with its included blue area, 

 which forms the outer portion of the ocellus in the 

 former species, is the exact representative of the first 

 part of the submarginal series which we have been con- 

 sidering in V. iirticce. It has been already pointed out 

 how the spots D a — ^ are modified in V. io in order to 

 help in the formation of the ocellus ; the same applies 

 to the present series. The first part of the series 

 remains, the black spots being fused into the outer 

 crescentic region of the ocellus. The blue centres are 

 in some specimens quite separate, and easily to be iden- 

 tified with those of IV,, 1 — 5 in V. urticce ; in many, how- 



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