to limitations of the Milllerian Hypothesis of Mimicry. 125 



VIII. The mimetic relationshijp hetivcen the Danaine Melinda 

 forraosa and Papilio rex. 



This point has been discussed by Mr. S. A. Neave in 

 Trans. Ent. Soc. 1906, p. 216 {cf PL XI and XII), where 

 he advances the proposition that Pap. rex and its local 

 race, mimeticus, are not Batesian mimics of Melinda formosa 

 and mercedonia respectively, but that they are themselves 

 unpalatable insects, which have in some respects mimicked 

 the Danaines, in others served as models for them. 



There is no tangible evidence as to the existence of 

 nauseous qualities in these Papilios ; it is merely deduced 

 from the supposed reciprocal nature of the mimicry. 

 According to our present knowledge these are very much 

 rarer than the Melindas; indeed, in the case of mimeticus, 

 I am not aware of the existence of any specimens beyond 

 the unique type from Uganda, although its suggested 

 mimic is stated by Mr. Neave to be common in that 

 district, and is also recorded from a good many localities 

 in German East Africa. 



The foundation of Mr. Neave's argument consists in the 

 assumption that the three species of the African group, 

 or sub-genus, Melinda, have been directly derived from 

 Tirumalct p)ctiverana, which is the African representative 

 of the two common Asiatic species T. limniace and 

 septentrionis. 



Now, the Melindas differ from petiverana. in having the 

 fore-wings considerably more elongated, and also in having 

 the pale markings at the base of the hind-wing more con- 

 solidated, so as to form a continuous pale area, interrupted 

 only by the darkened nervures. These are therefore 

 stated to be " new developments and non-ancestral 

 characters" which have been acquired by the Danaines 

 from Papilio rex. 



But the validity of this suggested genealogy seems open 

 to serious doubt. The fact that T. petiverana represents 

 merely a recent modification of some Eastern Tirumala is 

 so clear that it is generally treated as only a local race of 

 T. limniace. On the other hand, the Melindas differ from 

 the true Tirumalas not only in the structure of the ^ brand 

 (upon Avhich Moore founded his genus), but also in several 

 characters in the $ genitalia, as well as their general facies. 

 There is no species of Melinda in Asia, and these differences 

 appear to indicate that the African forms have been isolated 



