African Species of the Genus Acraea. 47 



Underside. F.-w. almost devoid of scales. H.-w. as above 

 but the yellow or red patch paler and less developed. Black 

 spots very variable in number. In the case of maximum 

 development the following may be observed. A spot in 9, a sub- 

 basal and a central (very small) in 7, one at extreme base of 5, 

 and a double spot at base of 4, two in cell before middle, three or 

 four discal spots progressively larger in size, in 6, 5, 4, and 3, a 

 large spot at base of 2 followed by a spot in Ic and lb, these 

 three nearly in a straight line, but that in Ic slightly nearer base. 

 A basal and a subbasal in Ic, ditto in lb, and a basal and two 

 other spots in la. 



Head black with a few whitish dots and two tufts on collar, 

 thorax black with whitish marks, abdomen black above with 

 whitish segmental lines and lateral spots. Claws unequal. 



$ like the $ and presenting the same variations of pattern. 



In some examples of this species there is a faint reddish 

 or yellowish flush in the f.-\v. especially along the main 

 nervures. Long series have lately been bred by Mr. Lam- 

 born near Lagos, and presented by him to the Oxford 

 Museum. It is clear from these examples that Oberthiir's 

 thelestis cannot be distinguished from pentapolis even as a 

 form. From that author's description the principal dis- 

 tinction between thelestis and pentapolis is the presence in 

 the former of a tawny rather than yellowish patch in h.-w. 

 In the series before me every gradation of colour may be 

 observed, from a mere whitish appearance to a definite 

 brick-red patch. 



A . pentapolis epidica, subsp . 



This is the extreme eastern form of the species and differs in 

 the following respects. It is generally much larger, having an 

 expanse of 80-90 mm. The blackish markings in f.-w. are 

 much darker and more definite. In the h.-w. the basal spots are 

 large and confluent, forming a conspicuous basal black .mark. 

 The patch of pale scales is lemon-ochreous and well developed^ 

 and there are usually a few tawny scales on the hind margin on 

 underside. 



The larvae of the specimens received from Lagos may 

 be described as follows : — 



Upper half dark umber brown with a few irregular dark 

 markings on the upper part of each segment, and a whitish 

 lateral mark on segments 4-12. Head reddish brown with a 

 white, ventrally bifurcated, white line. Legs yellow at base,. 



