MARIAN ELLIS ROWAN (1848-1922)

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MARIAN ELLIS ROWAN (1848-1922)

Ninety-six Lepidoptera, in seven columns, mostly butterflies belonging to the HESPERIIDAE e.g. Notocrypta (16,17), Prada papua (85,86), and Allora doleschalli (72-75), LYCAENIDAE e.g. Danis danis (30,31), RIODINIDAE e.g. Dicallaneura decorata (24,25), NYMPHALIDAE subfamily NYMPHALINAE e.g. Precis erigone (28,29) and Phalanta alcippe (26,27), and NYMPHALIDAE subfamily SATYRINAE. The satyrines are notable, including Xois arctous (20,21), Hypocysta osiris (22,23), Harsiesis hygea (34,35), Orsotriaena medus (38,39), Mycalesis mucia (42,43), and M. duponcheli (44,45)

signed 'Ellis Rowan'; watercolour with bodycolour on green paper
22¼ x 15in. (56.5 x 38.1cm.)

Lot Essay

Potentially the most interesting of all, in the middle column there is an upper-under-side of what could be a new species, or even new genus of melanitine satyrid (48,49). The wing shape and pattern seem irreconcilable with any described species, yet look sufficiently convincing to suggest something unknown but closely related to the genus Melanitis. This group of butterflies includes several very narrowly distributed genera, and it would not be too surprising if one was to be found restricted to New Guinea.

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