ATHYMA. 
169 
margin, the upper oval, the lower narrow ; two indistinct white spots in discoidal cell, and 
some indistinct greenish spots at the base of the wing ; a mai'ginal and submarginal row of 
light brown spots. Hind wing with an inner white band, divided by the veins, and an outer 
or submarginal row of indistinct brownish-white conic-shaped spots ; also a very indistinct 
marginal row of small light brown spots. Eody brown, abdomen with two rows of white 
spots. Underside paler, tinged with ferruginous about the disc ; markings the same, but all 
very distinct, and more or less white ; the spots within discoidal cell and base of fore wing 
divided by black marks ; base of costal margin yellowish white : hind wing with space 
between precostal and costal vein yellowish white ; a curved oval black mark, whitish within, 
between the costal vein and inner band ; a row of black patches between inner and outer 
band; body, and broadly on abdominal margin, yellowish grey. Expanse 2| inches." 
{Moore, 1. c.) 
The foregoing description refers to the Indian type of yl. mahesa. Chinese 
specimens of the species exhibit certain constant points of difference, and 
represent a good local race to which I now give the name of — 
Yar. serica, var. nov. (Plate XVII. fig. 10, S .) Upper surface black in the male, smoky brown 
in the female. The central white markings are narrow in the male, and those on the sub- 
marginal area and in discoidal cell are suffused with blackish. The female has the white 
markings as in typical males. Under surface also darker than in the type-form, and the white 
markings are of less extent in both sexes. The antennae are tipped with ferruginous above, 
and the apical third is generally ferruginous beneath. 
Occurs sparingly in Western China at Omei-shan, Moupin, and Chia-ting-fu 
in June and July, at various elevations up to 4000 feet. 
According to de Mceville, A. mahesa is a common species in Sikkim at low 
elevations, and occurs eastwards as far as Sibsagar in Upper Assam. It is 
also recorded from South India, Ootacamund, and North Canara. 
Athyma asura. (Plate XVII. fig. 7, 6 var.) 
Athyma asura, Moore^ Horsfield & Moore, Cat. Lep. Mus. E. I. C. i. p. 171, pi. v. a. 
fig..l (1857) ; de Niceville, Butt. Ind. ii. p. 168 (1886). 
" Upperside smoky-brown, markings creamy-white. Fore wing with a narrow discoidal streak, 
which is terminated at a short distance by an angular mark ; a band of spots curving out- 
wards from anterior to middle of posterior margin, the lirst spot commencing as a very narrow 
line, second and third long and oval, fourth the smallest, hfth somewhat larger and rounded, 
sixth larger still and oval, seventh the largest, square, indented at the side, eighth narrow 
and on posterior margin ; a submarginal row of well-defined lunular mar^s, terminated on 
the apex of the wing by an inner row of three small spots. Hind wing with a broad inner 
band ; also a less broad band from abdominal to anterior angle, this being intersected by the 
veinlets, and having a single black spot in the middle between each veinlet; a marginal 
pale brown line in both wings ; a narrow bluish-white collar and band across the base of the 
