MELITMA. 
193 
15. — M. Parthenie, Bkh. ii. 194; Godt. ii. 9, 7, 8; Fit. 295, 1; 
H. S. 136-7; 0. I. 1, 48. 
Expands from 1*25 to 1*30 in. Smaller than Athalia. The 
upper surface much resembles that of Deione, the black markings 
being narrow, but the ground colour is deeper fulvous. Under side 
much more uniform in colour than in Athalia ; hind wings with the 
light spots small ; the central row narrow and uniformly yellow, 
without inclining to white; the fulvous portions lighter and pro- 
portionately broader than in Athalia. PI. XLV., 5. 
Times of Appeaeance. — June and August. 
Habitat. — South-West Germany, Switzerland, France, and 
Piedmont ; Central Spain, and Andalusia. It often frequents 
mountainous districts. I have taken it on the St. Gothard, Furca, 
and other Swiss Passes at moderate elevations. 
Laeva. — Black, dotted with white and lateral yellow sjjots ; it 
feeds on Plantago. 
VAEIETY. 
Varia, Meyer-Diir. Tagf. p. 133; Athalia var. H. S. 370-4. 
— This is the Alpine variety of the species, being only found at 
considerable elevations in the higher Alpine Passes. It is smaller 
than the type ; the female is darker, being clouded with greenish 
black. Both sexes have the central row of spots on the under side 
of the hind wings white instead of yellow. 
16. M. Asteria, Frr. B. 36, 1, i. p. 115. 
Asteeie, H. S. 3, 4, 568. 
Expands from 1-0 to 1'20 in. The smallest species. Bather 
variable in colour, sometimes, especially in the male, being dark 
brown, with a few fulvous bands and spots ; at others, especially 
in the female, almost as light as Athalia or Aurelia. Under side 
much as in the allied species, but duller in colour ; the external 
light band of the hind wings has not the hind-marginal black line 
found in the other species. This line is nearly obliterated in some 
specimens of Aurelia — a fact worthy of note, as some entomologists 
consider Asteria a local form of that species. PI. XLV., 6. 
Times of Appeaeance. — June and July, 
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