112 
SOUTH- AFRICAN BUTTEK FLIES. 
Pupa. — Smootli, tliick, rounded (especially about middle) ; cepbalic 
prominence obtuse, dorso-tboracic prominence rather acute. 
I have felt obliged to unite Gnopliodes to Melanitis, not being able 
to discover any characters warranting its being held generically dis- 
tinct. Westwood himself {loc. cit.) doubted the propriety of treating 
it as a separate genus, noting that the tuft of hair and dilated inner 
margin of the fore-wings of the J were the chief distinguishing features, 
and that the former character was wanting in the West- African G. 
Morpcna (= Pythia, Fab.) The only other differences from Melanitis 
that I have detected are the longer upper and middle disco-cellular 
nervules in the fore-wings, and the less curved lower disco- cellular 
nervule in both fore and hind wings.^ 
The rather large and striking insect, M. Lcda of Linnseus, which 
is the type of this genus, is one of the most variable of known butter- 
flies, and has an immense geographical x^-ange over the Ethiopian, 
Oriental, and Australian Regions. Although several Indian and 
Malayan variations are still marked in collections as distinct species, 
I am most strongly disposed — looking to the large number of so-called 
species which have, with common consent, been sunk as varieties of 
Leda^ and knowing the remarkable extent to which this butterfly 
varies, alike in outline of wings, pattern, and colouring in one and 
the same locality even (c.g.^ Port Natal) — to think that there exists in 
reality (besides the species hitherto referred to GnopJwdes) but one 
Melanitis, spread over all the warmer parts of the Old World. 
The nocturnal habits of Melanitis lend it an additional interest. 
During the day it frequents the darkest and shadiest spots in woods 
or plantations, sitting on the ground or among dead leaves, where its 
under-side colouring well conceals it from notice. When roused from 
these retired spots, it takes a short but wild, uneven, flapping flight, 
and drops again into some shaded nook. At sunset it becomes active, 
and ventures into open spots, where it may be observed sporting 
about until dark. 
29. (1.) Melanitis Leda (Linnaeus). 
Papilio Leda, Linn., Syst. Nat, i. 2, p. 773, n. 151 (1767). 
„ ,, Dru., 111. Nat. Hist., i. pi. xv. If. 5, 6 (1770). 
,, Cram., Pap. Exot., iii. t. cxcvi. If. c, d, and iv. t. ccxcii. 
f. A (1782). 
Fab., Ent. Syst., iii. i, p. 108, n. 333 (1793). 
Oreas marmorea Leda, Hiibn., Samml. Exot. Schmett., i. t. 91 (1806). 
Sati/rus Leda, Godt., Enc. Meth., ix. p. 478, n. 4 (18 19). 
^ Mr. A. G. Butler [Cat. Sat. Brit. Mas., p. 5, pi. ii. f. i) describes and figures an 
Indian butterfly which he names Melanitis Gnopliodes, with the following note, viz. : — "The 
i of this species resembles Gnopliodes Parmeno on the upper side ; the ? has a brighter 
orange band, and resembles the Natal form" [afterwards named by Mr. Butler G. diversa] 
" of the same insect. It may possibly be a link between the two genera, though a true 
Melanitis." 
