130 Dr. H. Eltringham on Specific and 



same species. An examination of pattern leaves little 

 doubt that gynaesius is also a form of hecalesia, since 

 octavia forms an almost perfect transition thereto. Indeed, 

 if the basal brown be eliminated from the fore-wing of 

 octavia there is no distinction from that of gynaesius, 

 whilst a proportionate reduction of the hind-wing brown 

 in octavia would leave the hind-wing pattern of gynaesius. 

 If Stichel and Riffarth were satisfied that gynaesius was 

 a form of hecalesia it is strange they should have kept 

 octavia separate. It should further be noted that whilst 

 the underside of the hind-wing in octavia has a very 

 different appearance from that in Jiecalesia, it is practically 

 identical with that in hecalesia formosus, whilst the latter 

 has a trace of the fore-wing basal brown found in octavia. 



H. godmani. 



Stichel and Riffarth place this form in their Aoediformes, 

 presumably on account of its shape. In other respects it 

 differs little in appearance from gynaesius. The structure 

 of the armature would probably settle the point at once, 

 but I know of no example except the type, and this is 

 not available for dissection. 



H. metharme. 



Whilst the difficulty of distinguishing the claspers 

 suggests the specific identity of meilmrme and aoecle, the 

 difference in the shape of the wings suggests their separa- 

 tion. On the other hand, the radiate red pattern in the 

 hind- wing in aoede is repeated on the underside of metharme, 

 and there is an example of the latter in the Tring collec- 

 tion, having indications of the flame pattern on the 

 upperside, though it must be remembered that the radiate 

 pattern is common in several undoubtedly separate species. 

 I think we must be content to regard them as doubtful 

 species, but certainly very nearly allied. 



H. xanthocles, H. hierax, H. egeria. 



These three species are sufficiently distinct on the 

 structure of the armature, and need no further comment. 



H. burneyi. 



The suggestion that burneyi and wallacei are conspecific 

 is strongly supported by their patterns. On the hind- wing 



