1867.] MR. A. G. BUTLER ON NYMPHALIS CALEDONIA. 8/3 



7. Note on the Nympkalis Caledonia of Hewitson. 

 By Arthur G. Butler, F.Z.S. 



In the first part of his 'Exotic Butterflies ' (p. 86, pi. 43. f. 3, 4) 

 Mr. Hewitson has described and figured a new Butterfly under the 

 name oi Nymphalis Caledonia (incorrectly printed calydonia). It is 

 one of the most beautiful of the species of Nymphalidce, and has until 

 quite recently been unique in the collection of Mr. A. R. Wallace. 



Mr. Hewitson says of this insect, " This glorious butterfly is be- 

 yond description. Both of the posterior wings are so much injured 

 that I have had to imagine part of the outer margin, but have little 

 doubt that, if we ever have the good fortune to see a perfect example, 

 it will prove to be of nearly the same form as N. berenice of Drury." 



As it has fallen to my lot to see the second specimen of this beau- 

 tiful species in the collection of Lieutenant H. Roberts, I have 

 asked his permission to figure the hind wing ; he has kindly con- 

 ceded to my wishes, and I am thus enabled to give a correct drawing 

 of the outline*. 



The hind wings of N. Caledonia are certainly somewhat similar to 

 those of the female of iV. berenice ; they, however, more nearly re- / 

 semble those of Prothoe francki {Nymphalis franck of Godart) : 

 moreover the markings and general colouring of the underside ap- 

 pear to be a modification of the markings and colouring of that spe- 

 cies ; therefore, though N. berenice and N. Caledonia have hitherto 

 been looked upon as species of Charaxes (Nymphalis of Westwood), 

 and are as such included in my monograph of that genusf, I should 

 recommend that they be henceforth referred to the genus Prothoe, 

 the great size of the thorax being the only character that I can dis- 

 cover to warrant their admission into the genus Charaxes. 



Hind wing of Nymphalis caledonia. 



The synonymy of A', caledonia must therefore stand as follows :— 



Prothoe caledonia. 



Nymphalis calydonia (misprint), Hewitson, Exot. Butterf. i. p 86 

 pi. 43. f. 3, 4 (1855). ^ * 



* Since writing the above a third specimen has arrived from Labuan (Borneo). 

 It is now in the collection of Mr. Hewitson. 

 t P. Z. S. 1865, pp.637, 638. 



Proc. Zool. Soc — 1867, No. LVI. 



