[Illustration FIG. 105.--Neuration of the genus _Hypolimnas_.]
(1) =Hypolimnas misippus=, Linnæus, Plate XXI, Fig. 9, ♂; Fig. 10, ♀ (The Mimic).
_Butterfly_, ♂.--On the upper side the wings are velvety-black, with two conspicuous white spots on the fore wing, and a larger one on the middle of the hind wing, the margins of these spots reflecting iridescent purple. On the under side the wings are white, intricately marked with black lines, and black and reddish-ochraceous spots and shades.
♀.--The female mimics two or three forms of an Oriental milkweed butterfly, the pattern of the upper side of the wings conforming to that of the variety of the protected species which is most common in the region where the insect is found. The species mimicked is _Danais chrysippus_, of which at least three varietal forms or local races are known. The American butterfly conforms in the female sex to the typical _D. chrysippus_, to which it presents upon the upper side a startling likeness. On the under side it is marked much as the male. Expanse, ♂, 2.50 inches; ♀, 3.00 inches.
_Early Stages._--What has been said as to the early stages in the description of the genus must suffice for the species. But little is as yet accurately known upon the subject.
The range of _H. misippus_ is southern Florida, the Antilles, and the northern parts of South America. It is not common on this side of the Atlantic, but very common in Africa, tropical Asia, and the islands south as far as northern Australia.
_Butterfly._--Head large; the eyes are large, naked; the antennæ are moderately long, with a distinct club; the palpi are compact, stout, produced, densely scaled. The fore wings are subtriangular, the apex well rounded, the lower two thirds of the outer margin slightly excavated. The first two subcostal nervules arise before the end of the cell. The hind wings are rounded, crenulate.
_Egg._--Nearly spherical, with the surface pitted with large hexagonal cells (see p. 3, Fig. 1).
_Caterpillar._--The caterpillar in its mature state is cylindrical, somewhat thicker before than behind, with the second segment adorned with two prominent rugose club-shaped tubercles. The fifth segment, and the ninth and tenth segments also, are ornamented with dorsal prominences (see p. 8, Fig. 20).