ERYCINIDAE; LIBYTHEA. By H. Fruhstorfer. 
767 
7. Family; Erycinidae. 
In order to agree with the corresponding volumes of the other faunae in this work, we unite the two 
groups of Libytheidae and Erycinidae (called Riodinidae, according to the process of Grote). In Vol. V where 
the extremely numerous American Erycinidae are dealt with, this group is treated at large, but for the present 
we refer to* what has been said in Vol. I, p. 251 and Vol. XIII, p. 293. (Dr. Seitz.) 
A. Subfamily: Libytheini. 
The character of the Libytheini is rather very unsteady in the history of lepidopterology, and in appre¬ 
hending the familiar value, the systematizers are divided into two unequal sections. The majority is inclined 
to regard the three noted genera of Libytheini as belonging to a separate, highly qualified family, whereas 
the minority considers them to be only a collateral branch of the Erycinidae. But on considering the structure 
of the sexual organs, we find that the Libytheini are much more closely united with the Nymphalidae than 
with the Erycinidae. 
The well-developed, chitinous uncus and an entirely nymphaloidal valve are characteristics which 
induce us to subordinate the Libytheini to the N ymphalidae as a subfamily, especially when considering the 
fact that the inner organs offer more reliable conclusions as to the affinities, than the extremities which have 
hitherto been exlusively used for the characterization. 
The sexual organs are diametrically opposed to those of the Nemeobiines. The penis-canal is of the 
plainest structure without the complicated appendages of the Erycinidae. Uncus very short, clistally but quite 
slightly curved, obtuse. Valval structure analogous to that of Symbrenthia, except that the point is turned 
upwards instead of downwards. Base with a hemispherical lamella, the point slender, slightly curved inwards. 
Penis long, bent distally, as pointed as a needle. 
The Libytheini are sharply separated from the Erycinidae by the complete uncus which in the latter 
consists only of a skinny formation, and by the absence of the horns being most multiformly shaped in the 
Erycinidae. On the other hand there exists also a resemblance with the neotropical Riodinids: the beginning 
of a basal vein of the hindwings which, moreover, is also absent in the Nemeobiines. 
In contrast with the Erycinidae, the Libytheini have a distinct though short anterior discocellular; 
the conspicuous, uncommonly long form of the palpi, however, forms the essential characteristic of the Liby¬ 
theini by which they differ from the Nymphalidae. 
The formation of the palpi is not subject to any variations at all, even when considering the Ethiopian 
and American allies. The shape of the wings likewise remains in the Indo-Australian members just as invariable 
as in vicarious genera of the said continents. 
1. Genus: I^lbytliea E. 
(Cf. Vol. I, p. 251.) 
The members of this genus attain, in our district, the highest development of the number of species 
as well as of the beauty of the specimens. At the same time we are able to ascertain beside the magnificent 
coloristic transformation of this group which otherwise are so poorly coloured, also a vast differentiation of 
the sexes in Austro-Malayan species. 
By the extraordinary development of the palpi, as it does not occur again among the day-butterflies, 
this genus deviates from all the Nymphalidae and, at the same time, from the Nemeobiines. With respect to 
the scheme of markings, the eastern species can be divided into three groups: a) with predominant macular 
