CHARIS. . 427 
CHARIS. 
Charis, Hiibner, Verz. bek. Schmett. p. 21; Westwood, Gen. Diurn. Lep. p. 452. 
Of this genus we are acquainted with about forty species, distributed throughout the 
whole of Tropical America from Mexico to South Brazil; two species occur beyond our 
northern frontier in the United States, and fourteen are found within our limits. The 
genus is divisible into several groups, which may be readily distinguished by their style 
of coloration. In general size the members of Charis resemble those of Mesene, and 
include some of the smallest of butterflies; but, apart from other characters, the 
constant presence in the former of submarginal metallic lines on the wings is a a ready 
means by which it may be distinguished from the latter. 
In Charis zama the subcostal nervure emits two branches before the end of the cell 
and one afterwards; the discocellulars are atrophied, the middle discocellular and the 
upper radial leave the subcostal at the same point, the lower discocellular meets the 
median a little below the second branch; the costal side of the cell is slightly longer 
than the median side. The secondaries have a strong basal nervure; the discocellulars 
are atrophied—the upper one meets the subcostal a little beyond the first branch, the 
lower meets the median a little beyond the second branch; the costal and median sides 
of the cell are subequal. 
The front legs in the male of C. holosticta have the trochanter inserted before the 
middle of the coxa, femur = 4 coxa, tibia < coxa, tarsus (two-jointed) = tibia. The 
front legs in the female (C. zama) have the terminal tarsal joint a little longer than 
the second, with a setose pad on the under surface; the fourth joint is the shortest, 
and the first, second, third, and fourth each terminate beneath with a strong spine. 
The terminal joint of the palpi is very small and oval, about = 4 middle joint, which 
is slender; basal joint turgid = 4 middle joint. 
The male secondary organs have a bilobed tegumen, each lobe being setose externally, 
and two strong lateral hooks. The harpagones are simple lobes, setose towards the 
extremity, and with two deep lacerations on the outer edge. The penis is simple, 
curved downwards, and pointed; a long strap extends from its base outwards, and then 
curves backwards and unites with the base of the harpagones. 
There is no important difference in the structure of Charis argyrodines or of C. holo- 
sticta, but the latter has a stouter penis, with a row of papille. 
a. Wings beneath suffused with metallic purple or blue. 
1. Charis cadmeis. (Tab. XLIV. figg. 1, 2.) 
Charis cadmeis, Hew. Ex. Butt., Charis, t. 1. f.1*; Bates, Journ. Linn. Soc. Zool. ix. p. 442’. 
Alis glauco-fuscis nigro irregulariter transfasciatis, punctis submarginalibus nigris, venis omnibus ad margines 
externos metallico-plumbeis, ciliis albis; subtus nitide viridescenti-ceruleis saturate cyaneo transfasciatis, 
punctis submarginalibus sicut supra, 
Hab. Cosra Rica, Cache (Rogers).—Ecuapor; Amazons !?. 
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