Plate [XV]. fig. 5. 6.
Order: Lepidoptera. Section: Diurna. Family: Nymphalidæ, Swains.
Genus. Hipparchia, Fabr. Stephens. Satyrus, Latr. et God. Argus p. Scop. Orcades, Hubn. Papilio (Nymphales Gemmati), Drury.
Hipparchia Leda. Alis angulatis supra corticino-fuscis; anticis ocello apicis sesquialtero in plagâ magnâ luteâ, posticis ocellis duobus; omnibus subtus griseo-reticulatis strigâ ocellorum. (Expans. Alar. 3 unc.)
Syn. Papilio (Nymph. Gemm.) Leda, Linn. Syst. Nat. 2. 773. No. 151. Drury, App. v. 2. Fabricius, Ent. Syst. 3. 1. p. 108. 333. Cramer, Pap. pl. 196. C. D. and pl. 292. fig. A. Encycl. Méth. ix. 478. No. 4. (Satyrus L.)
Papilio Solandra (var.?) Fabr. Ent. Syst. III.1. 106. 328. Donovan Ins. New Holl. pl. 23. f. 1.
Habitat: China (Drury). Ind. orient. (Weber MSS.). Sierra Leone (Fabr. ??). Mauritius (Encycl. Méth.). Otaheite and New Holland (Fabr. and Donovan, P. Solandra).
Upper Side. Antennæ, thorax, and abdomen of a dark brown colour. All the wings dark olive brown. On the anterior wings, near the tips, are two black circular spots united together: the lower one being the largest, each having a small white one in its centre. On the posterior wings are two black circular eyes, towards the anal angle; their irides being of a gold colour, and the pupils white. The superior wings are a little dentated, the inferior ones being angulated.
Under Side. All the wings, on this side, are of a very pale brown, marked all over with short, crooked, wave-like stripes, of a dark brown colour, almost black. On the anterior wings are four eyes, the largest, situated near the middle of the wing, is encircled with yellow, its centre being white; below this is a small one, and two other small ones are placed near the tips. Posterior wings, with a row of six black eyes near the external edge, whereof two are much larger than the rest; the irides of all being yellow, and the pupils white. That next the anal angle is sesquialterate. In some specimens these eyes are less distinct than in others; in some there are not more than five to be discerned, and only one on each superior wing; in others not more than three can be distinguished, the small ones being entirely wanting.
Drury observes (Introd. to vol. iii. p. 16.) that this insect very much resembles a species sent by Mr. Smeathman from Africa, which comes out only about sunset, and is then to be found in dark shades, wavering about amongst the early flying noctuæ, and other nocturnal species. In some manuscripts of the late Professor Weber of Kiel, in my possession, the East Indies are given as the habitat of this species.