1883.] IN SPECIES OF AGRIAS. 385 



the expense of the green on the upper surface, and the greater size 

 of the black submarginal spots of the secondaries beneath. To this 

 we may add that the bkie of the primaries is almost uninterruptedly 

 black, whereas iu J. beatifica a nearly continuous black band extends 

 across from the costa to the inner margin. These differences are 

 entirely broken down by the series now before us. 



One of Mr. Stuart's specimens has a broader green submarginal 

 band than even the type of A. beatifica, another has still less than 

 the type of A. stuarti, while the remaining specimens, including 

 those of Dr. Staudinger, serve to link the whole series together. 

 There are other points of variation to which it is necessary to allude. 

 One of these refers to the innermost or first band of black spots on 

 the secondaries beneath. In the type of A. beatifica and in one of 

 the Pebas specimens they are clearly defined ; in the other Pebas 

 specimen they are entirely absent, while in the remaining Yquitos 

 examples they appear to a variable extent. The colour of the 

 base of the secondaries on the underside varies from Indian red to 

 orange. Seeing, therefore, that no two of the series are alike, and 

 that the two extremes of variation are found in insects flying in the 

 same forest, we are compelled to alter our views as to the distinctness 

 of A. stuarti, and to consider it but a variety of A, beatifica. 



Respecting the habits of this insect, Mr. Stuart informs us that 

 though he frequently observed this species in the forests of Yquitos, 

 they were nowhere abundant, two specimens or so appropriating a 

 limited portion of the forest to themselves. Their rapid and lofty 

 flight is well known ; but Mr. Stuart observed that they passed the 

 same place about once only in every four hours during the day. 



The synonymy of A, beatifica will now stand as follows : — 



Agrias beatifica. 



Agrias beatifica. Hew. Equat. Lep. p. 30 ; Ex. Butt. iii. t. 2. 

 f. 5, 6 ; Godm. & Salv. P. Z. S. 1882, p. 338, t. 19. f. 3, 4. 



Agrias stuarti, Godm. & Salv. P. Z. S. 1882, p. 338, t. 19. f. 1, 2. 



Hab. Ecuador, Sarayacu (i?2<cA;Zey) ; Upper Amazons, Yquitos (-4. 

 M. Stuart), Pebas {Hauxwell and Hahnel). 



Mus. Brit,, Godm. & Salv., Dr. O. Staudinger. 



The two specimens of A. phalcidon already referred to as sent 

 us by Dr. Staudinger are interesting as showing that a similar 

 state of variation exists in this species as we have already stated is 

 found in A. beatifica. 



A. phalcidon was discovered at Villa Nova on the Lower Amazons 

 by Mr. H. W. Bates during his memorable expedition. Seven 

 specimens in the British Museum (including four in the Hewitson 

 collection) and four in our own were all probably taken by Mr. 

 Bates. The two examples in Dr. Staudinger's collection were cap- 

 tured by Dr. Hahnel at Villa Bella, a more recent name apparently 

 than Villa Nova for the same village, which is situated on the south 

 bank of the Amazons between the mouths of the Tapajos and Ma- 

 deira rivers. 



These eleven specimens are all males, and the green submarginal 



