240 MESSES. H. J. ELWES AND JAMES EDWAEDS : 



from the much larger typical feisthamelii (which we have also from Java), with its broad 

 white band on the fore wing and five white spots besides ; but there is nothing in the 

 male genitalia of the two forms to prevent us from regarding the former as a 

 depauperate local form of the latter. 



The main differences in the several named forms consist in the greater or lesser 

 number of white spots on the fore wing above, exclusive of those forming the discal 

 band, and in a lesser degree the differences in the shape of the band itself and whether 

 or not it is extended to the costa on the underside by a pale patch. Beyond those 

 which form the discal band the largest number of white spots found on the fore wing 

 above appears to be seven, namely, one in each of cells 3-9 inclusive ; all or any of these 

 may be absent, and specimens might in this respect be grouped under three heads : 

 (a) those with no white spots, except those forming the band ; (b) those with one spot, 

 that in cell 4 ; and (c) those with more than one spot, i. e. with any number from 2 to 7, 

 and of these the specimens with five or six spots are perhaps the most numerous. Such 

 a grouping, however, would be purely artificial and would answer no useful purpose. 



Though at first sight it might seem that we have united several forms more distinct 

 inter se than others which we have previously treated as good species, yet a careful 

 study of no less than 35 males and 26 females from all parts of India and the Malay 

 Islands, representing all the named forms, together with the fact that the genitalia of 

 all the specimens examined seem to be identical in structure, convinces us that it is 

 impossible to separate them. The principal points which have been relied on by 

 authors are the number of the spots beyond the band on fore wing above, the form of 

 the band, and whether or not it is extended to the costa below. 



P. albifascia, Moore, is a small form from Java, Borneo, and Bali, with a narrow 

 band and usually no spots beyond the band. 



P. volux, Mab., of which we have seen the type in Dr. Staudinger's collection, 

 is also spotless. 



Mr. Leech, who has given much attention to these insects, divides the specimens 

 found in the region treated of in his book as follows : — 



Pale band on fore wing below continued to the costa by a pale patch .... feisthameli, Bdv. 

 Pale band not so continued. 



Fore wing below with a white dash in each of cells 9 and 10 between the hyaline 



spot in cell 8 and the costa curvifascia, Feld. 



Fore wing with no such dashes restricta, Moore. 



In this connection I may say that I have specimens from Java which combine the 

 characters relied on by Mr. Leech for the separation of feisthameli and curvifascia. 



Hab. India, generally distributed. Burmah, Perak, Andamans, Bali (Doherty) ; Java 

 (Piepers) ; Nias (Modigliani) ; Philippines (Semper) ; Borneo, Arjuno, Java (Doherty) ; 

 China (Leech); Liu Kiu Islands (Pryer). 



