MECHANITIS. 19 
duals of M. lycidice shows its relationship to M. lysimnia, a species inhabiting the 
eastern coasts of South Brazil, and is thus an instance of the similarity to be traced in 
races and species found inhabiting these widely-separated localities. 
M. isthmia is rarely found beyond the isthmus of Panama and as far north as Costa 
Rica; we have, however, a single specimen of J. lycidice, from Guatemala, picked out 
of hundreds of the common form of that species, which has several characteristics of 
MM. isthmia. 
M. labotas appears to be confined to Panama, Costa Rica, and Nicaragua, no speci- 
mens from elsewhere having as yet come under our notice. 
M. macrinus, though as common in the State of Panama as in Colombia, does not 
spread northward of Costa Rica. 
1. Mechanitis lycidice. (Tab. I. figg. 7, 8.) 
Mechanitis lycidice, Bates, Ent. M. Mag. i. p. 33°. 
Mechanitis doryssa, Boisd. Lép. Guat. p. 31 (nec Bates)’. 
Mechanitis isthmia, Butl. & Druce, P. Z. 8. 1874, p. 334 (partim)*. 
Mechanitis ovata, Dist. Proc. Ent. Soc. 1876, p. xi’. 
Sexus quoad colores fere similes ; alarum anticarum dimidio basali fulvo; posticarum margine anguste nigro, 
macula intra ramos medianos primum et secundum cum nigro alarum anticarum apicum confluente; 
anticarum dimidio distali nigro, maculis aut fasciis flavis trifasciato, fascia harum interna valde distincta ; 
posticis fulvis fascia una longitudinali flava, altcra nigra. 
Hab. Guatemata, Retalhuleu, Duefias, Motagua valley, Chuacus, Chisoy valley, 
Polochic valley (S. & G.1 and H. Hague); Honpuras, San Pedro (G. M. Whitely); 
Nicaracua' (Bridges), Chontales (Belt); Costa Rica (Van Patten®*, Carmiol), Caché, 
Trazu (Hf. Rogers). 
In this race the extent of black on the primaries is variable, some specimens showing 
almost the dark colour of WM. isthmia; the black band of the secondaries in the females 
varies considerably, in some being well defined, in others evanescent and reduced to a 
rudimentary band at the apical angle. The extent of the yellow band on the secon- 
daries is also very variable, in some specimens being well defined, in others altogether 
wanting. In Guatemala, though individuals showing considerable variation are not 
wanting, this race has more constant characters than in Nicaragua and Costa Rica; 
here we find the influence producing J. zsthmia becomes very apparent, and it would 
not be difficult to arrange a complete series of specimens connecting M. lycidice with 
the more southern race. To one of these intermediate forms Mr. Distant applied the 
name JZ. ovatat; but we do not see how its distinctness as a race can be maintained. 
We have no specimens from the southern continent agreeing accurately with J. 
lycidice; but two examples from Chanchamayo in Peru are certainly very closely allied. 
Dr. Boisduval?, under the name Jf. doryssa, evidently describes this species. He gives 
Mexico as one of its habitats: it very probably occurs there; but we have seen no 
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