BUTTERFLIES OF MOUNT PENRISSEN. 35 



the underside is that presented by such genera as Xaca- 

 <l>ih(i. Lampides, C//aniiis. Catachrysops, consisting' of 

 catenulated bands or bands and spots crossing the discs 

 of the wings in a more or less definite manner, at the 

 anal angle of the hind wing is almost invariably present a 

 conspicuous eye-spot : this eye-spot is supposed (and 

 there is evidence to justify the supposition) to direct the 

 attacks of enemies such as birds or lizards to a non-vital 

 part of the body, the eye-spot being highly conspicuous 

 when the butterfly is at rest (the bright patches of colour 

 at the tips of the forewing'S of soberly coloured butterflies 

 of other families is supposed to serve the same purpose : cf . 

 also the Orange Tip of Europe). Xow if the pattern dis- 

 appears from the discs of the wings, this eye-spot, which 

 by the way may degenerate into a mere patch or streak 

 of bright colour, becomes still more conspicuous and con- 

 sequently of greater value to the butterfly, whilst the 

 risk of the main body of the wings proving a source of 

 attraction to enemies is now much lessened, seeing that 

 • they are unornamented : in Loxura atymmits the absence 

 of eye-spot is compensated for by the long tails into 

 which the hind wings are drawn out. The axiom then 

 with which this short dessertation commenced that the 

 more highly organised the Lycamid the more the under- 

 side wing-pattern concentrates outwardly, seems to follow 

 naturally on the more general axiom, that the more highly 

 organised the animal, the more diverse and complete are 

 its methods of defence. The species under notice is of in- 

 terest as affording a glimpse of the manner in which the 

 diffuse wing-pattern of Biducmda thesmia (Hew.) may be- 

 come outwardly concentrated as in B. hewitsoni (Bruce). 



Fain. Pitrtduj. Sub. fam. Piennoe. 



(38) Delias eumolpe (Grose Smith). 



9 upperside Black. Forewing with a large white oblique spot 

 closing the cell and extending somewhat above and below 

 it; Hind whig with a large discal area whitish dusted with 

 ochreous and black scales. Underside, Forewing, black, 



