XI. The Species of the Lepidopterous Genus Pamphila. 

 By Samuel H. Scudder. 



Ecad March 25, 1874. 



ixLANY Eiu'opean insects and their closely resembling American types are regarded by 

 some entomologists as identical npon the two continents ; hy others, as distinct ; and so far 

 as butterflies are concerned, there is little to aid one in forming an opinion in any given 

 case beyond the bare statements of naturalists, contending for opposing theories. In view 

 of this condition of things^ unimproved for the past thirty years, it is to be regretted 

 that no one has given a systematic I'eview of different cases, setting forth the reasonable 

 grounds of opinion in each ; this task properly belongs to the American student, since 

 it is easier for him to procure an unlimited number of a given European species, than 

 for a European naturalist to obtain the desired American types. Impressed Avith the 

 importance of investigations in this direction, I have for some time been collecting mate- 

 rial for such a study ; and having recently had the pleasure of examining the extensive 

 series of Hesperians brought by Mr. Theodore L. Mead from Colorado,^ in which are 

 many specimens of Pamphila, bearing close resemblance to P. comma of Europe, it has 

 seemed a favorable opportunity of enquiring whether that species is represented on this 

 continent, as held by some writers.^ The result proves that although we have species 

 ■which in many features closely resemble P. comma, there is not one Avhicli cannot be 

 clearly distinguished from it. The richness of this genus in America, and its extreme 'pov- 

 erty in the Old World (where only a single species is known), lead to the presumption 

 that the genus had its origin in our own country, and that temperate North America 

 is its proper metropolis. Nor is this theory incompatible with the opinion that P. comma 

 is identical with any of the forms described below. 



1 For an opportunity of stiulying these, I am indebted to Speyer, Geogr. Yerbr. Schmett., i, 286 ; states that it is 

 the courtesy of lilr. Mead and Mr. AV. II. Edwards. found on both sides of the Rocky ISIountains, and specifies 



2 For statements of this sort, see the following authorities: Canada and the northern United States (Lacordaire, Boisdu- 

 Boisduval, Ann. See. Ent. Fr., 1852, 313 ; gives P. comma val), Washington or Bahiuiore (Blauel in litt.), and Califor- 



aniong the Californian butterflies, with the remark,— entirely "'-i (Boisduval), as localities. 



similar to our European specimens. Wal.-^h, Proc. Ent. Soc. Philad., iii, 215; gives the home of 



lb., Ann. Soc. Ent. Belg., xii, 23; repeats the same. -P- eomma as Calitbruia and Europe, on the authority of 



Koch, Geogr. Verbr. Eur. Schmett., 71 ; remarks that Boisduval. 

 there are specimens in the Paris Museum from Calitbrnia. 



MESIOIKS BOST. SOC. NAT. HIST. TOL. II. 86 (341) 



