E E Y C I N I D .E. 



SOSPITA. Hcccitsoji. 



The genus Taxila of the " Genera of Diurnal Lcjndoptera " — Eniesis of 

 Dr. Boisduval — contaius within itself three groups of butterflies as distinct almost, in 

 contour and in colour, as any that are to be found in the family of the ErycinidfB. It 

 is true that they do not diti'er in some of the characters which usually serve to divide 

 genera ; in the palpi, or the arrangement of the nervures ; but theii" differences are so 

 palpable to the eye, that I have thought it better, on the arrival of many new species, 

 to divide this genus into three. I have done so with hesitation, because I greatly 

 admire (and would wish to follow in the footsteps of) those leading entomologists. 

 Dr. Boisduval and Mr. Westwood, who have been contented to retain undivided large 

 natural groups of butterflies, instead of indulging themselves in the small ambition 

 of creating new genera. 



The genus Taxila, as I propose to leave it, will still contain butterflies of different 

 form, a//, hoiocvcr, beaiififi'Ih/ ((domed on the underside. Beside the insects figured in 

 the Plate, it will contain Drupadi of Boisduval and Pulchra (Argynnis pulchra) of 

 Guerin. It has tite ei/es smooth, or very nearly so. 



The Butterflies of the genus Sospita have the ei/es distinctly hairi/, and are 

 marked at the apex and anal angle of the posterior wing (usually on both sides) by 

 black spots (usually in pairs). It will contain, besides the figures of the Plate, Fylla 

 of the " Genera," Echerius of StoU, and Tepahi of Boisduval. 



The third genus, for w'hich I propose the name of Dodona, will contain a very 

 different set of insects, resembling Nemeobius and Mcjitsea in theii- colouring, with the 

 hind wings of the male protruded at the anal angle ; the antennce distinctlij clubbed. 

 This genus is represented by Durga of Kollar, and Egeou of the " Genera,'' which is, 

 I have little doubt, the male of the said Durga. There are other unpublished species 

 of this genus. 



SOSPITA TANTALUS 1. 



Emesis Tantalus, Boisd. 31s. Taxila Tantalus. Bouhleday, Brit. M((s. List. 



Upperside rufous-brown. Anterior wing crossed at the middle by an ill-defined 

 band of white, and marked beyond the middle by a triangular spot of the same 

 colour. Anterior wing with a single black eye near the apex ; posterior wing with a 

 double eye ; both eyes with a rufous border, and centre of silvery blue. Posterior 

 wing with a short tail, and two indistinct light bands between it and the anal angle. 



Underside as above, except that it is fighter, and that the posterior wing is 

 crossed transversely at the middle by a lighter band. 



E.xpan. HJ in. Hab. Ashanti. 



In tlie Collection of the British Museum. 



3 L 



