ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES. 85 



5. Argijnnis Antithore, Boisd. 

 One specimen only from Yosemite Valley. 



Melitvea, Fabr. 



It will be necessary to give a monograph of this genus before we go on with 

 the enumeration of the mountain species. 



We have in California eleven well-marked species, a number far exceeding 

 those of the Atlantic Slope, and about equal to those of tbe whole of Europe. In 

 the " Synopsis of North American Lepidoptera," written for the Smithsonian 

 Institution by John G. Morris, I find only two Oalifornian species mentioned 

 and described, viz. : 31. Editha and 31. Folia, the "31. Zerene " of the same 

 work being without doubt an Argynnis. In a catalogue published by the same 

 author in I860, 1 find besides those just mentioned another, viz ; M. Chalcedon. 



Dr. Boisduval names several Melitea in bis letters to me, but gives no 

 diagnosis. 



Our Oalifornian Melitrca belong to four types. 



Type S. The first is that of 31. Thaws, represented by four distinct species 

 in California. This type is peculiar to the American Continent, occuring also 

 in tbe Atlantic States, and in the tropics. 



Type II. That of 31. Athalia, represented by 31. Valla, and several others. 

 It is also abundantly represented in Europe, but seems to be wanting in the 

 Atlantic States. 



Type III. That of 31. Phaeton, corresponding exactly to the European, 31. 

 Maturna, 31. Artemis, etc., is represented in California by 31. Editha, 31. 

 Chalcedon, and others. 



Type IV. That of 31. Leanira is numerous in the tropics of America but 

 seems to be wanting everywhere else except in California. 



Melitaea, Type I. 

 1. 31. montana, Behr. Syn ? 31. Pyrrha, Doubleday. 



Alae supra aurantiacae, nigro clathratae, inter secundam et tertiam fasciam 

 nigram magis dilutae ; posticae inter primam et secundam fasciam, serie 

 punctorum nigrorum signatae, fascia prima ab angulo anteriori interrupta, et 

 costam versus quintam tautum denuo cursum ad angulum posteriorem 

 recipiente. 



Alae anticae subtus aurantiacae, disco fere concolori, nee maculis pallidioui- 

 bus nee fasciis obscurioribus bene distiuctis, apicem versus flavidae, maculis 

 fasciisque fuscis, et prope angulum posteriorem macula nigra signatae. Alae 

 posticae flavidae signaturis plus minus obscurioribus, in morem Argynnidum 

 undulatis, serie punctorum brunneorum inter primam et secundam fasciam ut 

 supra pertranseunte. Insuper inter costam quintam et sextam exstat lunula 

 submarginalis pallidior, interdum Candida pruinaque argentea induta, quani 

 umbra ampleetitur obscurior. Altera umbra a margine anteriori prope 

 apicem extenditur. 



This species is very variable as to the markings of the underside of tbe hind 

 wings. Two specimens, which I received through the kindness of Mr Lorquin, 

 have scarcely any markings there. These were collected in the neighborhood 



