Plate XXI. fig. 1. 2.
ORDER: Lepidoptera. SECTION: Diurna. FAMILY: Nymphalidæ, _Swains_.
GENUS. ARGYNNIS, _Fabr. Latr. et Godart_. Argyreus, _Scop._ Dryades,
_Hubn_.
ARGYNNIS PHALANTA. Alis subdentatis, fulvis nigro maculatis, posticis
subtus ad extimum argenteo-purpurascentibus, ocellis aliquot fulvis.
(Expans. Alar. 3 unc.)
SYN. Papilio (Nymph. Phal.) Phalanta, _Drury, App. v._ 2. _Fabr. Ent.
Syst._ III. 1. _p._ 149. _Latr. et God. Enc. Méth._ ix. _p._ 259. Papilio
Culumbina, _Cram. pl._ 337. D. E. ([male]) _pl._ 238. A. B. ([female]).
HABITAT: China (_Drury_). East Indies (_Fabricius, &c._). Isle Mauritius
(_I. O. W._).
_Upper Side._ Thorax and abdomen of a dirty clay colour. Anterior wings
of a fine deep clay colour, the tips being of a dirty black; which colour
is continued, by irregular and indented marks, along the external edges,
almost to the interior angle, where are several clay-coloured spots and
marks. Above these are four round spots, running obliquely toward the
shoulders. Several other black marks are dispersed on different parts of
the wings, particularly near the anterior edges. Posterior wings deep
clay-coloured, with two black waved or indented lines, running along the
external margin. Over these {39}are four small, round, black spots,
placed two and two. Above these, nearer the shoulders, are several small,
black, oblong spots, placed irregularly. The wings, particularly the
posterior pair, are a little dentated.
_Under Side._ Anterior wings, at the base and along the posterior edges,
clay-coloured. Near the interior angle of each wing is a round black
spot; several others which are very small, oblong, and fainter, being
scattered about on different parts. Posterior wings, at the base, fainter
clay-coloured. About half the wings, from the external edges, are of a
blueish clay colour, which is separated from the other part by a faint
waved line of a reddish hue. Two other faint waved lines also run along
the external edges, answering to the black ones on the upper side; and
the four black spots seen there are very small on this side, being but
just perceptible.