592 Mr. J. C. Moulton on some of the prmcipal Mimetie 



In sub-division (b) another Hcliconius, H. polyclirous, 

 Feld., and a Nympbaline, Frotogonvus drurii, Butl,, have 

 now been added to Blandford's list. 



The principal characteristics of this association are the 

 presence of a broad yellow band parallel to the costal 

 border of the hind-wing, and an oblique bar crossing the 

 fore-wing and passing from near the centre of the costa 

 towards the hind-margin. This nearly median bar is suc- 

 ceeded by a large apical spot, or group of spots, sometimes 

 yellow [sub-division (a)], and sometimes white [sub- 

 division (b)]. 



Sub-division (a). In this association the Danaine, 

 Zycorea halia, affords a striking resemblance to Melinma 

 ethra, although the hind-margin of the hind-wing has not 

 lost its border of white spots. As noticed in Combination 

 I, the Zycorea possesses a buff or ochreous tint in place of 

 the usual bright yellow markings so typical of this asso- 

 ciation.* It is also noteworthy that the yellow of the 

 MeliniBa is slightly duller than tliat of the association gener- 

 ally. Ilechanitis ncs/va, besides being smaller, differs 

 slightly from the Melin^a in having two small yellow 

 sub-apical spots in addition to the yellow apical patch; 

 there is also a far smaller development of black markings 

 on the basal side of the yellow in the fore-wing ; but in 

 spite of these differences the superficial resemblance is 

 very close. 



A very good Pierine mimic, Dismorphia astynome, enters 

 this association, having in the female the yellow apical 

 spot just as in Meliniea ethra. It has furthermore acquired 

 the typical Ithumiine shape with narrow wings. The 

 yellow bar of the hind-wing is not strongly developed, 

 but sufficiently to bring the species well within the com- 

 bination. The male also has followed the female into the 

 association ; although here the hind-wing band is far less 

 yellow and the ancestral white still prevails in the costal 

 area of the hind-wing as in the male of D. praxince. 

 As in this latter species, the white patch is almost cer- 

 tainly hidden in flight and at rest. The male lacks the 

 apical spot of the fore-wing, although a slight suggestion 

 of it is indicated by a few yellow scales in that region. 



* The hind-wing band is not nearly so bright in the Lycorea as in 

 otlier members of the association. Prof. Poulton hiis given reasons 

 for the belief that the tint may have been even duller about eighty 

 years ago. See Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., ser. 7, vol. xiii, 1904, pp. 

 359, 360. 



