88 PROCEEDINGS OF THE CALIFORNIA 



looks as if it was tbe transposition of a foreign species separated by a pecu- 

 liarly Califoruian character, afterwards to be pointed out, from its European con- 

 gener, and separated amongst themselves by the very same characters that 

 separate the four European parallel species from each other. Their analogies 

 are as follows : 



California. Europe. 



M. Palla, M. Dictynna, 



M. Whitneti, M. Athalia, 



M. Gabbii, M. Parthenie, 



M. HoFFMANNI, M. ASTEKIA. 



The Californians differ from their European analogues in the orange color that 

 fills the space between the margin and the marginal line on the underside. In 

 the European species this space always has the same pale tint that forms the 

 ground color. 



Then the two waving lines that inclose the submarginal band on the under- 

 side of the hind wings, are not entirely filled by the orange or fulvous spots as 

 in the European, but have an empty space between the first and second, and 

 the second and third veins. 



1. Melitoca Palla, Boisd. 



Alae maris supra fulvae nigro clathratae, feminae nigrae nonnullis fasciis 

 macularibus gilvis instructae. 



Alae posticae subtus gilvae lineis nigris et maculis aurantiacis ordiuariis 

 instructae, necuou serie lunularum fasciae submarginalis fulvarum a vena ter- 

 tia inchoantium usque ad ultimam decurrentium. Quaeque lunula continet 

 ocellum. 



I repeat the diagnosis for the purpose of adding a character that has been 

 hitherto overlooked but is essential for separating this species from the follow- 

 ing. It is the eye-spot contained in each of the orange-colored spots of the 

 submarginal band. It is true that these spots are not in every specimen equally 

 visible, and often require the help of the glass to make them visible, but still 

 they are never wanting as in the following species. 



M. Palla is the only one of this type found in the vicinity of San Francisco, 

 where it is rather common. Nevertheless I have not yet succeeded in finding 

 the caterpillar, but have heard from our celebrated entemologist, Mr. Lorquin, 

 that he has raised this butterfly from a caterpillar found on a species of 

 Plantago. 



2. Melitaea Whitneyi, Behr, n. sp. 



Alae maris supra rubricautes nigro clathratae feminae, fere esedem, colore 

 tantum dilution hinc et illinc paululum alternantes. 



Alae posticae subtus iis 31. Pallae similes sed lunulae fasciae submarginalis 

 ocellis omnino destitutae. 



At the first look the difference between this species and M. Palla is striking 

 enough, for the coloration of the upperside is quite different and the reticulate 

 black marking runs in much thinner lines and is more regular than in M. Palla, 

 where towards the margin the black markings unite more or less and cover the 

 ground color. The striking alteration in the colors of the upper side in 



