KYMPHALTN^. 
237 
hrown than above ; the transverse band very conspicuouSj white, with 
a creamy tint on its edges, and with a faint violaceous lustre. Fore- 
wing : some scarcely distinguishable, thin, dark, transverse lines in 
cell ; between which lines are occasionally a few scattered whitish 
scales ; row of spots conspicuous, the lowest one geminate ; apex 
I more or less clouded with white scales ; double row of lunules dis- 
tincter than on upper side, some of them marked with white scales. 
Hind-wing : spots in band as on upper side ; an ochreous-yellow tinge 
on inner margin at conclusion of band ; lunular streaks as in fore- 
wing. 
This near ally of P. Archcsia (Cram.) is easily known by its paler, 
wider, differently-coloured transverse bands, which on the under side 
are very conspicuously creamy-white, and most distinctly defined on 
both edges. On the upper side also it almost totally wants every 
trace of the pale-blue markings of Archesia ; while the ground of the 
under side is uniform dark-brown, with little if any paler striee or 
varied clouding. 
P. Ghapunga (Hewits.), from the Zambesi, is still more closely related to 
Pelasgis, The two examples on which the late Mr. Hewitson founded the 
species both exhibit the striking features of the discal common band being so 
reduced as to consist (except as regards the costal bar at the upper extremity) 
only of reddish rings round the small black spots. The lunulate marginal 
rows on the upper side of the fore-wing are of the same reddish tint and well 
marked. On the under side the band is of the same character as in Pelasgis, 
but considerably narrower. 
The range of P. Pelasgis agrees nearly with that of P. Archesia, and the 
habits of the two butterflies are much the same. I have frequently found them 
in company, haunting the same spots, and settling on the same rocks or flowers. 
At Highlands, near Grahamstown, I noticed, however, a habit in the $ Pelasgis 
which I have never witnessed in the case of Archesia, viz., that of perching 
himself on the projecting twig of some high bush at the edge of a wood, and 
thence giving chase to other passing butterflies. Mrs. Earber informed me 
that in the same locality she had noticed the $ Pelasgis laying her eggs on 
a white-flowered Labiate of the genus Plectra7ithus. This butterfly also keeps 
on the wing during part at least of the winter season, as I saw several examples 
at Grahamstown during June 1883. 
Localities of Precis Pelasgis, 
1. South Africa. 
B. Cape Colony. 
h. Eastern Districts. — Grahamstown. Bedford (/. P. Man^^el Weale). 
Keiskama Hoek, and King AVilliam's Town (IF. S. M. D' Urban). 
Windvogelbcrg, Queenstown {Dr. Bat! 10), 
D. Kaffraria Proper. — Mouth of St. John's Kiver {Sir H. Barlihj). 
E. Natal. 
a. Coast Districts. — D'Urban. Yerulam. Umhlali. Umvoti. Mapu- 
mulo. 
h. Upper Districts. — Fort Buckingham. Hermansburg. Pieter- 
maritzburg {Miss Colenso). Estcourt (/. M. Hutchi7ison). 
Rorke's Drift (/. H. Boivker). 
K. Transvaal. — Potchefstroom {T. Ayres). 
