PARTHENOS. P>y H. Frtthstorfer. 
645 
far beyond the cell; the discocellular bent at a sharp angle outward. This characteristic distinguishes 
Parthenos from all the other Nymphalid genera. On hindwing cell closed as in Lebaden. Tegumen unusually 
develop.d. Uncus as in all other Limenitidi, but with heavy, broad base, slightly curved distally. Valve most 
characteristic, sharply angular, provided with long bristles, constricted before the very broad extremity 
which is armed with unusually sharp teeth. At the base and over the dorsal ledge there is a long spur whose 
motion is controlled by separate muscles, similar to that found in the genus Neurosigma. As far as known, 
the Indian forms have the valve more elongate than the species of the Papuan Region. The marginal teeth 
of the valve vary according to the species, but this is hardly to be depended on to furnish a sure means of 
distinguishing between the frequently very similar forms. Thus it must for the time being be left undecided, 
whether one or the other Melanesian form deserves to be accorded specific rights or not, the more so since 
also the earlier stages are quite similar and subject to variation. Of the two species inhabiting German New 
Guinea, the pupae are, according to Ribbe, hardly to be distinguished from one another. Larvae feed on 
various vines f. i Zehneria umbellata (of the family of Cucurbitaceae); they resemble those of the Subgroup 
Moduza, are chiefly green, with brown head and two rows of finely branching dorsal spines; pupa brown 
or green, pointed on either side of the head, in shape resembling a boat. Imago as a rule quite common: 
its flight soaring or sailing, the wide-spread wings being scarcely moved; a peculiarity of theirs consists in 
their turning most unexpectedly and racing away at full speed, rendering their capture difficult, unless one 
happens to find them sipping the honey from flowers. As a rule they inhabit the low-lands, only in Burma 
they were observed at altitudes of from 3—5000 ft. They are mostly encountered during the wet season, and 
it is, at least on the main land, a rare occurrence to find a really good specimen during the dry season. Its 
range extends over the entire Empire of India, the Philippines, Macromalayan Archipelago, Celebes and New 
Guinea as far as the Solomon Islands. In the Micromalayan Islands and in Australia the genus is not re¬ 
presented, probably because the larvae are unable to survive the protracted dry periods of those arid regions. 
P. cyaneus Moore (120 d) distinguished from all the other known species by the gorgeously brillant, cyaneus. 
pale greenish grey-blue colouring of the upper surface, and by the unusually large white spots. Underneath 
it closely resembles the other Parthenos species; but the different shape of the pupa with its greatly distented 
wing-cases in which it deviates from that of P. virens, points to its being a separate species. Larva pale yellow 
suffused with purplish-brown; abdomen darker; on the back striped with dark brown, each segment ringed 
with spots of white; head armed with thin spines, much finer than in Moduzi calidasa ; segments covered 
with fine hair. The back is moreover covered with spines, longest on the first and ninth segments. Feeds 
on Modecca. Pupa purplish-brown. Imago is found from May until July, and again in November and De¬ 
cember, from the lowlands up to about 5000 ft. It is a slow flier, but very wary, resting on large leaves with 
expanded wings. Ceylon. Valve more elongate than in the Melanesian species. 
P. sylvia Cr. has developed among all the species of the Indo-Malayan Region the greatest number sytvia. 
of forms, being exceedingly sensitive toward climatic and local influences. On the mainland and the Anda¬ 
mans we encounter, moreover, seasonally dimorphic forms. — sylla Don., of relatively small size, originally sylln. 
described from southern China; my specimens came from Manhao (Yunnan); in Tenasserim it occasionally 
is found together with gambrisius. Forewing has the submedian, and the hindwing the basal area suffused 
with blue-green. — gambrisius F. above pale green, slightly suffused with bluish-green. — apicalis Moore yamlrrisim. 
(120 d), the form of the dry season, has the white spots on the forewings united into a sort of band. Ranges n pirabs. 
from Eastern Bengal to Assam and Burma, and the Mergui Archipelago. I collected die fa. apicalis Moore 
near Tanelong in Tenasserim in May, in Siam in January, in South Annam in February; the rainy season 
form in Tonkin during August and September. - roepstorffi Moore closely resembles gambrisius ; the form rocpstorffi. 
of the dry season approaches apicalis. Its size somewhat smaller, the colouring of the upper surface moss- 
green, underneath faded grey-green, rather paler than in specimens from North India. Andamans, Nicobars. 
virens Moore is a highly specialized form, easy to tell by the broad black border and the greenish golden virens. 
colouring of the upper surface of the wings. Under surface with very heavy black submarginal 
spots, which distinguish it from cyaneus of Ceylon. Larva according to Moore’s figures green with 
yellow lateral stripe and reddish or blackish spines; head brown. Pupa brown, smoother than that of P. 
cyaneus Moore ; according to Moore it takes but three days to develop the imago. South India, as far as 
the North Kanara District. -— lilacinus Btlr., a lovely form of the Malay Peninsula, excelling by the beautiful lUacinus. 
violet-blue stripes along the submedian on the forewing and on either side of the black median band on the 
hindwing. — sumatrensis Fruhst. (120 c). Upper surface striped with paler blue, on the under surface sumairensis. 
of the hindwing the basal area uniform pale green, not blue-green as in Perak specimens. My collection con¬ 
tains only specimens from North-Eastern Sumatra, but none from the western part of the island. According 
to Hagen it frequents the borders of sunlit open woods; some time ago hundreds of these butterflies were seen 
on a newly made field-road bordered with Ipomoea, apparently without paying any attention to one another. 
Its flight is strong and rapid, sailing, being supported almost without moving the wings. Martin reports 
