ANCILLARY APPENDAGES OF THE ATHALIA GROUP. 263 
claw of clasper in M. varia is bifid; the latter point is very striking, as 
will be seen by reference to Pl. iv., figs. 1 and 2. 
AM. deione.—Differs from M. athalia by the absence of the bifid pro- 
longation of the uncus; the inner surface of the lower claw of clasper 
is serrated almost its whole length; the serrations are very uniform in 
size. See Pl. v., figs. 8 and 4. 
M. berisalensis.—This species, or sub-species, differs somewhat un- 
expectedly and strikingly from its parent,* M/. deione. The serrations 
of inner surface of lower claws of clasper are more pronounced in M. 
berisalensis than in M. deione, and the teeth on upper claws are more 
numerous, and the clasper itself, as will be seen by Pl. iv., fig. 5, is 
much different in outline, being less produced to a point than is the 
case in M. detone. 
These distinctions seem sufficient to constitute a species, but before 
definitely deciding the point it would be necessary to make preparations 
of a number of specimens of M. berisalensis, and also of MM. deione from 
various localities, to ascertain if the differences are constant. 
M. aurelia.—Yintirely without the bifid prolongation of the uncus, 
differs also from M. athalia by the serrations on the lower claw being 
fewer in number and not extending so far from the base. See Pl. y., 
figs. 1 and 2. 
M. asteria.—This has the simplest appendages of any species of the 
group, therefore, as Mr. Wheeler suggests in the Hntomologist, vol. xl1., 
p. 177, it is probably the most ancestral. It is without prolongation 
of the uncus, and has only rudimentary serrations on lower claw, but 
the upper claw has a pronounced tooth on outer edge. See Pl. v., 
figs. 3 and 4. 
M. dictynna.—As the superficial markings of the wings would sug- 
gest, the appendages show this to be the most aberrant member of the 
eroup. The lower claw of clasper is without serrations, out the upper 
claw has a very remarkable spine, which is turned the reverse way to 
the direction of the claw itself. See Pl. v., fig. 5. 
M. dictynna var. britomartis.—A preparation of a specimen kindly 
banded to me by Mr. A. H. Jones, and which was obtained by him at 
Reazzino, was made by Mr. Rayward. Iam unable to find in it any 
points of difference from M. dictynna type. 
EXPLANATION oF PuatTss. 
. Melitaea athalia, Buda Pest. x 20. 
» lowerclaw. xX 75. 
| Melitaea athalia var. dictynnoides, Czernowitz. x 20. 
lower claw. x 76. 
_ Melitaea pete Stalden. x 20. 
upper claw. x 75. 
Melitaea varia, Abries. x 20. 
», upper se ¢ "TBip 
_ Melitaea detone, Digne. xX 20. 
», both claws. x 60. 
; Melitaea berisalensis, Martigny. x 20. 
AY both claws. x 60. 
: Melitaea aurelia, Lugano. x 20. 
3 lower claw. xX 75. 
Pirate Il].—Fig. 
ee] 
+) 
? 
9 
PLats IV.—Fig. 
Puare V.—Fig. 
? 
WE ONR WME Do wre 
” 
* Aga matter of Nomenclature one speaks of WM. deione vay. berisalensis, but 
phylogenetically berisalensis is the ‘‘ parent’’ of deione. Distribution, the early 
stages and details of neuration alike point to this.—G.W. 
