NEPTIS. By H. Fruhstorfer. 
619 
Group III: Bimbisara *) Moore. 
The second subcostal arises before the end of the cell, on hindwing the precostal is invariably curved 
outward. 
N. sankara (Vol. I, p. 177), an Indian-Chinese species, of which we know a number of distinct local 
forms that are moreover subject to seasonal variation. Characteristic of this species are the oblong subapical 
stripes and four elongate intramedian spots on the forewing, either white or yellow in colour. — antonia antonia. 
Oberth. (Vol. I, p. 177,pi. 54 a) surpasses in size the Indian subspecies, with pale ochreous patches above, 
sinica Moore is the corresponding light form from Omei-shan, and ambina Fruhst. another pale subspecies sinica. 
from Chang-yang in Central China. - genulfa Oberth. appears to replace sankara in Yunnan, differing from it am hina. 
above in the prominent white submarginal band on both wings, and in the smaller and more isolated white 
intramedian spots, the upper one of which is placed more inwards. Under surface with more strongly undulate 
white submarginal band and darker brown median stripe. Tseku, at about 6000 ft. of altitude. —- quilta quilt a. 
Swinh. (125 e) is found in Assam and, according to Bingham, also in Sikkim and Bhotan where it ascends 
to about 3000 ft. Beneath the ground-colour is pale grey-brown, with clear white, outwardly rather faded 
stripes on both wings and a dark brown median band on hindwing. Moore reports it also from Burma. In the 
northwestern Himalayas we find the name-type sankara Roll. (= amba Moore), which is very rare in continen- sankara. 
tal collections. 1 have only one $ from the Nairn Valley. Moore distinguishes between two seasonal forms, 
that of the wet-season (= amboides Moore) being smaller than the rainy-season form, but with broader white amboides. 
hands. From Cashmere to Nepal; found by Doherty in the Kumaon Himalaya at elevations of from 2—5000 ft. 
—■ nar Nieev. refers to an interesting insular race with yellow instead of white streaks in the cell of forewing nar. 
and with yellow-margined median fascia on under surface of hindwing, which latter are, moreover, traversed 
by grey-blue anteterminal bands. Andaman Islands, scarce, only 3 $$ known. — yamari Fruhst., much smaller yamari. 
than sankara Roll, and, as has already been observed by De Niceville, much deeper black. The chief difference 
lies in the discal band on the hindwing beneath, distinguished by its broad black bordering. Sumatra, Battak 
Mountains, 1 $, type in Martin collection. 
N. narayana is a rare species from the 5 Himalayas occurring in two forms: narayana Moore, above narayana. 
resembling quilta, but with broader transverse bands and spots of white colour. Under surface characterized 
by two broad, white bands on hindwing surrounding another, narroiver and less distinctly white middle space. 
Western Himalayas; type from Naini Valley in Kumaon District; also from Kulu, Kunawur and Chini, at 
altitudes of from 5500—6500 ft. — nana Nieev., extraordinarily scarce in Bhotan and Sikkim, has the bands nana. 
above suffused with yellowish, and on the hindwing only a submarginal line instead of a broad stripe as in 
narayana ; beneath the white areas larger than in the West Himalayan form. According to Orerthur it flies 
also at Tseku, Yunnan. —- Sylvia Oberth. (Vol. I, p. 177, pi. 54 a) with yellow spots above; Siao Lu, West China, sylvia. 
N. manasa occurs together with narayana-, already mentioned in connection with some species of the manasa. 
Neptis Group. In Tibet we find a local form narcissina Oberth. (Vol. I, p. 178, pi. 54 e). narcissina. 
N. radha is one of the largest Neptis species, surpassing in size all other Indian species. Three local 
forms are known: radha Moore (Vol. I, p. 177) (IX, pi. 125 f) is found from Nepal to Assam, but hardly below radha. 
altitudes of 3000 ft. It is very scarce, especially in Sikkim, where it is found between April and December, 
occasionally even at altitudes of 7—8000 ft. ■— asteratilis Oberth. is a smaller, paler yellow form, with narrow asteratilis. 
bands and with yellowish under surface slightly suffused with purplish. From near Bhamo and Bernardmyo 
in Upper Burma, and a few localities in Western China. — sinensis Oberth., described from Siao Lu and Mupin, sinensis. 
has likewise the yellow spots reduced. 
N. arniandia, an exclusively Chinese species, is divided into 3 local forms: mothone FVwAsi (Vol. I, p.244) mofhone. 
has all bands and spots above paler and rather broader than armandia, also the violet and brown bands more 
faded. China, presumably from Chang Yang, since Leech reported from thence paler specimens than from 
Mupin. — arniandia Oberth. (Vol. I, p. 178, pi. 54 d) from Mupin, with which Stichel unites also hesione Leech armandia. 
(54 d). — taphos Fruhst., larger than mothone, with darker and more prominent ochreous bands than either taphos. 
of the two other forms. Underneath the yellowish spots as well as the violet median ziczag band on hind wing 
much broader. Western China, locality not mentioned, probably from Omei-Shan. 
N. ananta, au Indo-Chinese species, lately discovered also in Formosa. — chinensis Leech (Vol. I, chinensis. 
p. 178, pi. 54 b) appears on Omei-Shan in two forms, one of which approaches ananta from Sikkim and the 
North-Western Himalayas. In $<$ we observe three different shades of colour, some having the bands dark 
ochreous, others chocolate-brown, and still others reddish-brown. Of the latter form I possess 5 from 
Tien Tsuen, Szetchuan, whereas my specimens from other parts of Szetchuan have the bands much broader 
and pale ochreous and the under surface pale throughout; this I name fa. areus Fruhst. Western China, Yunnan, areus. 
*) A mythical king, who wished to divide his kingdom with Budha. 
