NYMPHALIS (CHARAXES) ATHAMAS.
Plate [II]. fig. 4.
Order Lepidoptera. Section: Diurna. Family: Nymphalidæ, Sw.
Genus. Nymphalis, Latr. Subgenus. Charaxes, Boisduval. (See page 1.)
Nymph (Ch.) Athamas. Alis supra nigris, utrinque fasciâ mediâ latâ glaucâ subhyalinâ, subtus lunulis ferrugineis marginatâ. (Expans. Alar. 3. unc.)
Syn. Papilio (Equit.. Achiv.) Athamas, Drury, App. v. 2. Cramer, Pap. pl. 89. f. C. D. Encycl. Méthod. 9. 353. (Nymphalis A.)
Papilio Pyrrhus, Donovan. Insects of India, pl. 4. f. 2. (exel. syn. Linn.)
Habitat: China (Drury). India (Donovan). Java (Latr. et God.).
Upper Side. The head is brown, with four minute yellow frontal spots. The wings are dentated, and of a fine red brown, each with a broad brimstone coloured bar, rising near the middle of the anterior wings; and, crossing them and the posterior ones transversely, meeting near the extremity of the body. Above these, near the tips, are two small oval spots of the same colour. The posterior wings have four tails, of nearly equal length, above which are seven small brimstone spots, placed on each, along the external edge.
Under Side. The broad transverse bar is of a pearl colour, being surrounded next the body by a narrow red brown border, edged with black, between which and the base, are two small black spots. The two spots, near the tips, are also seen on this side, being of a pearl colour. The external edges of the anterior wings are of an olive colour; the remaining parts being of a very resplendent greyish purple. Several small kidney-shaped marks are placed along the outer side of the pearl bar. The posterior wings have a narrow orange-coloured border running along their external edges; and above it, are seven small black spots, edged at the top with white. Above these is a shade of brown olive, over which are some black angular marks, with red crescents above them.