black. The inferior wings are black, edged externally with white, and having a central blue band in continuation of the anterior one. On the under side, the base of all the wings is whitish, and the abdominal margin of the under pair is marked with three curved white streaks: abdomen whitish beneath, and having a double row of black dots on each side. In the female the bands on the wings are white.
A few years ago this curious butterfly was to be found in very few cabinets, but it is now received not unfrequently.
THAIS MEDESICASTE.
PLATE V. Fig. 2.
The genus Thais is confined to the southern countries of Europe, the north of Africa, and Asia Minor. All the species are of moderate size, and may at once be known by the peculiar design of the colouring of the wings, which are always yellow spotted with red and black, and bordered externally with a dark festooned line. The palpi are composed of three nearly equal articulations, and rise conspicuously above the head; the antennæ rather short and terminating in a club slightly curved upwards. The body is slender, and the abdominal margin of the
