RHOPALOCERA MALA VAN A. 



17 



here figured, with a Nepaulese male* to represent the J), mnu'thu, F:il>r., as a distinct species,, 

 especially as the Fabrician type is not contained in the British Museum. Moreover, the same 

 author f has given Donovan's figure as agreeing with the I), menetha, Fabr., but this is unlike 

 the female Malaecan form, and if such wide variation is allowed (as appears only reasonable 

 and just) it is difficult to understand how the distinction of the two proposed species can be 

 maintained. 



The larva is figured by HorsMd (ante, p. 67, fig. 19), and is described as feeding, m Java, 

 on the young leaves of Goveos nadfira from December to January 4 This i R tne larval food-plant, 

 according to the same authority, of Amathtma phidippus. 



Genus THAU MANTIS. 



TAatmunUtot Hiimier, Samnil. Ex. Schmott. (1816—1824); Blanch. Hist. Nat. his. iii. p. 465 (1840>; Westw. 

 Gen. Diurn. Lep. p. 835 (1851); Trans. Ent. Soc. ser. 2, vol. iv. p. 170 (1858). 



Anterior wings subtri angular ; costal margin very much arched, the apes more or less rounded, the 

 inner margin nearly straight. First subcostal nervule emitted a little before the end of the cell, anastomosing 

 with the costal n en ure for some distance, and then apparently relloxcd to costa; the second pursuing a like 

 course a Little before apex of costal nervure j remaining nervules emitted before or near apex of costal 

 nervure. Discoidal nervules well separated at their origin. First median nervule strongly arched, but not 

 angulated beyond apex of cell. Posterior wings more or lesB ovate, the anal angle sometimes moderately 

 produced; disk of costal margin nearly straight. First median nervule strongly arched and angulated 

 towards discoidal nervule, Diseoidul cA\ with tin- apex quite unclosed. 



.ThitwnutUis is a genus which is found in Continental India, Tenasserim, the Indo-Malayan 

 Region, Siam, and as far north as Shanghai, and comprises at the present time abont a dozen 

 described species. Allusion has already been made to its striking genetic affinity with the 

 American genus Movpho, and, as in that genus, ThaumanHs also possesses two typical forms of 

 coloration, which may Toughly be described as the blue and the tawny types. 



A good example of the blue species of Thmmmntis is afforded by T.hdpor (Tab. IX. f. 8 & 9), 

 which approximates towards the predominating fades of Morpho, while T. pseitdaliris (Tab. VIII. 

 f, 8) and T\ kmsa (a Tenasserim species) reflect more or less faithfully the features of that portion 

 of the genus }forpho which is represented by .V. nwtfltus and allies. 



Three species only have, as yet, been received from the Malay Peninsula, j 



1. Thaumantis lucipor, (Tab, IX., fig. 8 £ «) 



ThanmantU Lutipor, Westwood, Gen* Diurn. Lep. p. 837, n. 5, w*tr (1851) ; Trans, Ent. Soc. ser. 2 t vol. iv. 

 p. 173, li. 5, t. 19 (1858) ; RomL & Moore, Gut. Lep. Mus. E. t C. i, p. 215, n. 448 (1857) ; Druce, 

 Proc. Zool. Soc. 1878, p. 341, n. & 



Mule. Wings above pale chocolate-brow n, the disks of both wings darker, ami with dark and resplendent 

 bluish reflections, which do not extend to the costal arua and wide outer margin (diminishing from ap<?xt of 



* I lessens n mfilc from Borneo winch ureutly rt^oml.')':^ this specimen, f Cat, Fabr. Lop. p. 45, n* & 



| Horsf. & Moore. Cat. Lop, Mus, E. I.C. L p. '212. 



j tn ihv 'Cat. of Ilium, Ia<[>h\. l\,rin.-i! l.v W. C. H-wits -is,' p. lii^l^T'.K T. >ttir:*. \W.tsv\. is etad-il lo \ KiV ,. ' • -n 

 rccoivrtl from Mnlaecu. Thin, however, from oTiuufiiiition. provei to be An erroneous habitat, as the Malaccau specimens 

 represent tin? T. ptmdalirUt Batl., wliich ir here described. Although Mr. Kirby compiled the catalogue be is in no way 

 answerable for tht iilcntilieatioii*. ]nivin» 1'ollnwuil tliow of Uowitaon throughout. 



September 30, 1882, * 



