Mimicry in co-lain Butterflies of New Guinea. 127 



validity of the theory in any form, it will seem probable 

 that some mimetic influence at any rate has here been at 

 work, though it may not be possible to determine its exact 

 extent. 



We have seen that there is little doubt that the markings 

 on the hind-wing underside of D. aganippe are generally 

 homologous with those in the corresponding situation oi 

 I), nigrina; and equally little doubt that the scarlet 

 markings of D. ornytion are an attenuated version of the 

 subcostal patch and red band or chain of spots seen in the 

 two former and many other species of Delias, especially 

 those belonging to what may be called the eucharis sec! ion 

 of that geniis. In Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond., L894, pp. .".no. 

 301, and Proc. Ent. Soc. Lond.. 1.909, p. cxiii, reasons were 

 given, on the combined evidence of wing-markings and 

 scent-scales, for supposing that the eucharis section is a 

 natural group distinct from the belisama section, though no 

 doubt at one time linked with it through a, form more or 

 less resembling Delias aganippe. D. inferna, which is a, 

 local race of I), aruna, Boisd., is shown by both kinds of 

 evidence to be closely akin to belisama, and so to belong 

 to an assemblage in which the red subcostal patch is nearly 

 always present, and the red submarginal chain is as a rule 

 not to be found.* It was therefore rather to be expected, 

 on the theory of a mutual approach between D. inferno. 

 and D. ornytion, that the latter should be more apt to lose 

 the already attenuated submarginal line than the former 

 to revive it or start it afresh. 



Two other points of interest in connection with this 

 assemblage remain to he noticed. 



(1) With regard to Mynes doryca it is to be remarked 

 that not only does the underside recall in a striking manner 

 the appearance of Delias ornytion and Huphina abnormis, 

 but its upperside also is of a Pierine rather than of a 

 Nymphaline character. On a superficial view there is 

 little to distinguish it from the female of D. ornytion or of 

 H. abnormis, and the same applies to the probably con- 

 specific form, M. geoffroyi. The facies is the not unusual 

 Pierine arrangement of a pale area surrounded by a dark 

 border, broader in the Pierine female than in the male. 



* It is, so far as I am aware, only present among Delias of the 

 belisama group in />. eumolpe, Gr. Smith, from North Borneo and 

 D. funerea, Roths., from Halmaheira. 



