ZEPIIYRUS. 



375 



the secondaries have a broad central band represented as far as the median nervure by two 

 blackish-brown lines, below the median are some irregular-shaped bhickish-brown marks ; 

 the submarginal band is composed of two crenulated blackish-brown lines ; there is a large 

 velvety-black spot surrounded with fulvous in the first median interspace, a similar spot at 

 anal angle ; the latter is preceded by a fulvous patch, and there are streaks of the same 

 colour a short distance along the abdominal margin and along the submarginal band to tlu^ 

 spot in median interspace ; marginal band interrupted, dusky, and not well defined. 

 Expanse 52 millim. 



Female. Primaries blackish ; the discoidal cell is filled up with bright blue, and there is a broad 

 streak of the same colour in the submedian interspace ; an orange spot lies beyond the cell, 

 and this is separated by the third median nervule from a similar spot in the second median 

 interspace. Secondaries fuliginous. Fringes whitish. Under surface grey-brown : the 

 primaries have a darker discoidal spot outlined with white, and a broad silvery central white 

 band bordered on each side with a darker shade of the ground-colour, and terminating on the 

 first median nervule ; submarginal line silvery white, preceded by an ill-defined whitish 

 band : secondaries silvery white, clouded with grey-brown at the base ; central band dark 

 grey-brown, interrupted below the median nervure, its continuation uniting with a patch of 

 the same colour on abdominal margin ; the outer fourth of the wing dark grey-brown, 

 thickly powdered with silvery-white scales towards margin ; submarginal line silvery white, 

 but very ill defined ; marginal line silvery white ; there is a large velvety-black spot, sur- 

 rounded with fulvous, in the first median interspace, and a similar spot at anal angle, the 

 latter is preceded by a fulvous patch, and there is a streak of the same colour along the 

 abdominal margin and another along the submarginal line to the spot in median interspace. 



Expanse 4G millim. 



Appears to be an exceedingly rare species in Western China ; the only 

 specimens that 1 have received are a male and a female taken by 

 KricheldorfF at Moupin in June. 



As will be seen from the figure of the male (pi. xxvii. fig. 5) the black 

 margins of all the wings are much narrower than in typical ataxus ; but as 

 I have only one example of this sex from Western China, I am unable to say 

 whether this is a constant character. 



Mr. de Niceville [I. c.) states that Z. ataxus is very rare in India ; the only 

 records that he has of its capture are from Massuri, where both sexes were 

 taken in June and July at an elevation of 7000 feet, and a small example of 

 the female taken by Capt. Young in Kulu. 



There were no specimens in the collection of the late Otto MoUer from 

 Darjiling, now in my possession ; and Mr. Elwes does not include it in his 

 List of the Butterflies of Sikkim, although Horsfield and Moore record it 

 from Darjiling. Westwood says that the type came from Simla. 



There can be no doubt that the insects described by Hewitson as ataxus 

 and Jcatiira are sexes of one species. 



3d 2 



