592 Mr. J. C. Moulton on some of the principal Mimetic 



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

 Feld., and a Nymiihaline, Protogonius drurii, Butl., have 

 now been added to Blandford's list. 



The princijDal 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)]. 



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

 Lycorea halia, affords a striking resemblance to Mclm/ea 

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

 lost its border of white spots. As noticed in Combination 

 I, the Lycorea 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 

 Melini^a is slightly duller than that of the association gener- 

 ally. Mcchaiiitis ncsiea, besides being smaller, differs 

 slightly from the Mdinma 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 astynoine, enters 

 this association, having in the female the yellow apical 

 spot just as ia Melins&a ethra. It has furthermore acquired 

 the typical Ithomiine 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. praxinoe. 

 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 liind-wing band is not nearly ]so bright in the Lycorea as in 

 other members of the association. Prof. Poulton has given reasons 

 for the belief that the tint may have been even duller about ei:4hty 

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

 359, 360. 



