146 MR. A. G. BUTLER ON INDIAN LEPIDOPTERA. [Apr. 3, 



beyond the white discal series of spots on the secondaries ; it differs 

 from the preceding species in this character and in the reduction of 

 the suhapical series of white spots on the primaries to three, also in 

 the absence of the submarginal white line on the secondaries ; below 

 it is yellower even than N. eurymene, the white cuneiform spot 

 beyond the cell of primaries is shorter, the white band of the secon- 

 daries broader and straighter, and the yellow belt following it also 

 broader, straighter, and less tapering ; from N. aceris below the 

 yellow coloration at once distinguishes it. Expanse of wings 45 mm. 



Nilgherries. 



" This is marked in my collection ' Neptis aceris J I have this 

 also from Port Blair and from the Himalayas ; have also Moore's 

 variety nicobarica from British Burmah." — C. S. 



N. nicobarica is, however, a good species. 



5. Neptis astola. 



Neptis astola, Moore, P. Z. S. 1872, p. 560. 



Allied to N. varmona, but the submarginal series of white spots 

 on the primaries five in number towards apex ; the white subbasal 

 band of secondaries straighter and of more even width throughout ; 

 the interrupted submarginal pale line whitish towards anal angle, but 

 sometimes wanting ; colour below red-brown, redder than in N. var- 

 mona ; the white subbasal band of secondaries not distinctly black- 

 edged, the reddish belt following it even and tapering towards the 

 apex ; the macular discal baud a little narrower and not distinctly 

 black-bordered ; the interrupted white submarginal stripes wider. 

 Expanse of wings 56 ram. 



Belgaum. 



" This also seems to be astola ; but there are local differences 

 between my Aboo, Belgaum, and Matheran examples." — C. S. 



Unless these locally distinct forms are to be regarded as species, 

 we must cease to name Lepidoptera, or, at least, confine ourselves to 

 naming types of genera ; in not a few genera we can even now form 

 a gradational series of allied forms, constant to locality, yet exhibiting 

 distinctive characters, which to any but those who have long studied 

 the Lepidoptera might appear to be mere variations ; their constancy 

 however, in my opinion, warrants their separation as species. 



6. Hypanis polinice. 



Papilio polinice, Cramer, Pap. Exot. iv. pi. 375. f. G, H (1782). 

 Madras'. 



7. Hypanis simplex, sp. n. (Plate XXIV. fig. 8.) 



Allied to the African H. cora. Wings above tawny with black 

 markings as in little-marked females of H. ilithyia of Africa ; on the 

 under surface very like H. cora, but the black discoidal markings of 

 primaries distinctly white-edged, the suhapical white spots larger and 

 clearer, the submarginal black band near external angle reduced to a 



1 A note sent with this species appears to refer to a form unknown to me. 



