LYC^ENIDiE. 
77 
Iraota maecsenas, Fabr. 
The third subcostal nervule of this species emits but, one branch, yet I believe that I. 
timoleon and mceccenas are but seasonal forms of the same butterfly ; unfortunately I have not 
yet bred them. The habits of 1 . mceccenas are the same as those of the foregoing insect ; the 
blue of the upperside inclines to purple or violet. 
/. timoleon in the dry season has the underside like the figure of 1 . mceccenas , the latter 
insect in the wet season having the underside similar to 1 . timoleon , and I think they are $ and $ 
of the same species. Intermediate forms as regards the underside are to be commonly met with at 
change of seasons, the uppersides of both insects remaining practically the same throughout the 
year. 
Curetis dentata, Moore 
Very scarce here, and I have taken but three or four specimens at Hongkong, in May 
and July. Commander Walker saw it there in January and December, and found it in the Chusan 
islands in August, and near Ningpo in November. I have taken it at Tam-chau (sometimes called 
Sun-chau) in Kwangsi in August. 
This insect has a swift and devious flight, and the peculiar silvery whiteness of the under¬ 
side makes it rather conspicuous when seen against foliage, whilst the bright orange upperside of 
the $ contrasting with the white under-surface gives it a curious appearance in flight. As will be 
seen from the figures, the sexes differ much in the colouring of the upperside. 
This butterfly frequents well-wooded districts, and in fact seems to prefer thick forest. 
Fig. 6, PI. VIII is from a $ taken in July ; Fig. 9 of the same plate a $ of May. 
Ilerda epicles, Godart 
This beautiful little butterfly is apparently very scarce here, and I have only taken it in 
this district near Hongkong, at flowers in rank undergrowth beneath large trees. I have also taken 
it at How-lik and Tam-chau. The ? seems to be more common than the opposite sex, but this is 
probably due to the striking colouration of the $, the $ on the upperside being dark, shining 
purple or violet and perhaps liable to be confused at a distance with other Lycaenids. 
Fig. 3, PI. VIII is from a $ taken in July. 
Pratapa deva, Moore 
This butterfly is included on the authority of de Niceville, to whom specimens were sent. 
Both $ and $ are exceedingly like the respective sexes of Tajuma cippus , Fabr. 
