514 
ARGYNNIS. By II. Fruhstorfer. 
gemmata. 
genia. 
dura. 
munis. 
lathonia. 
issaea. 
messoa. 
aglaja. 
vithata. 
yopala. 
This partial union is probably the beginning of a complete fusion of both veins, which is already developed 
in the stronger-winged cd, whereas the $ does not show it. This places the Argynnis, phylogenetically speaking, 
into a higher class than the more ancient Boloria , in which the veins are still farther separated. Whereas 
all the species of Argynnis show this more or less perfect coalescence, the Dryas- group is, moreover, distinguished 
by the fact that in the forewing the position of the lower discocellular is changed. This causes the cell to 
assume a different shape, being in the cd distally oblique, but quite broad in ?. At the same time the median 
nervules are in the cd drawn more closely together,’ with the result that the discocellular, notwithstanding its 
basal direction, arises in cd distally farther from the origin of the central median branch than it does in the ?, 
in which the discocellular approaches quite closely the point where the two median nervules furcate. This 
is most distinctly seen in A. ninja, papilla, anadyomene, sagana and kamala, whereas ruslana and laodice as 
well as childreni approximate to lire type (A. aglaja), in which the cell of the f. w. does not display in its shape 
any essential sexual difference (A. adippe , niobe). As regards A. hyperbius , it was formerly considered to be¬ 
long to a separate genus, on account of the extraordinarily long fork formed by the fourth and fifth subcostal 
nervules of the forewing. But this distinction which in comparison with aglaja is quite remarkable, conside¬ 
ring their relative size, begins to grow less marked in A. maja, disappearing almost completely in childreni. 
Hand in hand with this structural divergence goes the development in the cdcd of the sexual striation which, 
culminating in Dryas, grows less distinct in the Argynnis, and is almost obsolete in the Acidalia and Brenthis 
groups. We may therefore distinguish; 
Group a) Argynnis F. (= Acidalia Hbn., Brenthis Him.) 
In cd the sexual striation is indistinct or quite obliterated; the subcostal nervules coalesce but slightly; 
the shape of the cell is not altered; the course of the discocellular is the same in both sexes. 
Group b) Dryas Him. 1806 (= Argyronoma Hbn. 1816). 
cd with highly-developed sexual striation, and marked coalescence of the subcostal branches; the cell 
is contracted, and the discocellular of the f. w. running obliquely toward the base. 
Group a) Argynnis. 
A. gemmata is found from western China to Tibet and in the Himalayas from Sikkim as far as Kumaon. 
Two forms are now known to exist: — gemmata Btlr. (Vol. I, p. 233, pi. 68 d, e) described from Sikkim; not 
uncommon during July near Chumbi and in western Bhotan, lately also mentioned from the Kumaon-Himalayas 
by Bingham. — genia Fruhst. (Vol. I, pi. 68 e) is smaller in size, ? rather darker, also on f. w. This species 
has been erroneously described by me as eugenia Ev. in Vol. 1, p. 233. 
A. clara is a graceful alpine species, approaching in size A. aglaja elisa Godt , with sexually dimorphic 
¥?. Two Indian forms exist: clara Blanch. (Vol. I, p. 236). In ? the base of both wings is blue-green, the 
under surface of the h. w. light moss-green, traversed by a gorgeous, silvery median band, broadest toward 
the costa. So far only found in the north-western Himalayas, at elevations varying from 12—14000 ft.; Hies 
in August and September. — manis Fruhst. (Vol. I, p. 236, pi. 69a) is a smaller form; in ? the upper 
surface is of lighter colour, with larger yellow submarginal spots. Has been found in Tibet at elevations 
exceeding 15 000 ft.; possibly also occurs at Chumbi, Sikkim. 
A. lathonia has quite an enormous range of distribution both from north to south and from east to west. 
It is found on both sides of the Himalayas, from Chitral as far as Sikkim, reaching even Upper Burmah. The 
Indian form described as issaea Dbl. (Vol. I, p. 236, pi. 69 a) is found in several broods all the year round, 
at elevations of from 15—16000 ft., where its favoured haunts are dry, grassy slopes and summits; flying 
even at times when the valleys farther down are covered with snow; wet places it avoids. Specimens caught 
at elevations of 17 000 ft are of very small size. The silvery discal spot on the under surface of the h. w. 
is distally more elongate and pointed than is the case in lathonia L. from Europe, and the subanal, macular 
band extends as far as the border of the cell. Quite common at Mardan, North-West Province, and in Bhotan. 
- messoa subsp. nor. exceeds in size by more than one third specimens from India, being nearly twice the 
size of the European form. Above very pale; beneath it may he distinguished from issaea by the still more 
profuse silvery markings. Western China; type from Ta-tsien-lu. 
A. aglaja is found along the border between the Palaearctic and Indian Regions in two forms: 
vithata Moore (Vol. 1. p. 237, pi. 69 c), originally described from Cashmere, where it is found in July at 
elevations of from 12 15 000 ft. I have not any specimens from India, but one pair from Kashgar, which 
closely corresponds to the figure. According to Moore it also occurs in both Pameers. — yopala snbsj). nov., 
a local form which displays, particularly in ?, melanotic character, both wings being shaded with a dark blackish- 
purple. On the f. w. we notice a white spot near the costa beyond the cell, the two foremost black spots 
