156 NATURAL HISTORY OF ARCTIC AMERICA. 



It is remarkable that the collection of butterflies made by the British 

 Expedition, between latitude 78^ and 82°, well toward the Arctic Sea, 

 should exhibit a greater number of species, namely, 5, than is known in 

 Southern Greenland, where we are told but 4 species have hitherto been 

 taken, and this northern series does not embrace the genus Chionobas, 

 one or two species of which are found in Greenland. Besides C. Hccla 

 and Argynnh Polaris, taken by Mr. Kumlien, were Argynnis Charidea, 

 Lycmna Aquilo, and, most surprising of all, ChrysojihanKs Fhlceas, a 

 species represented throughout the northern United States under a 

 slightly different form, Americana. 



Family, NYMPH ALIDiEl. 

 Sub-family, NriviPHAxm^. 

 Genus, Argynnis, Fabricius. 



1. A. Freya, Tliuuberg. 



Two males were taken in Southwest Greenland. This species is dis- 

 tributed over the boreal regions of both continents j in America, from 

 Greenland to Alaska j and it follows the Eocky Mountains as far to the 

 south as Colorado. It is subject to very little variation. 



2. A. Polaris, Boisduval. 



One male was taken at Quickstep Harbor. This species is more re- 

 stricted in distribution than Freya, and, so far as known, is limited to 

 ZSTortheast America, from Labrador to the Arctic Sea. It was taken by 

 the British Expedition as far to the north as latitude 81° 52', and by 

 the American Expedition (Polaris) at 81° 50'. It varies much in color, 

 and the exami)le sent me by Mr. Kumlien is remarkably melanic on the 

 upper surface, the hind wings especially showing scarcely any fulvous. 



Sub-family, Satykin^. 



Genus, Chionobas, Boisduval. 

 1. C. Semidea, Say. 

 Oeno, Boisduval. 



Two males were taken at Quickstep Harbor. One of these has the 

 upper surface dark blackish-brown, and the discal belt on hind wings 

 beneath distinctly outlined on both edges. The other is light or pale 

 black-brown, and the belt is almost lost in the dense markiugs which 

 cover the wing. But specimens from the White Mountains of Xew 

 Hampshire show similar variation. This species inhabits Labrador, 

 and the Eocky Mountains at very high altitudes as far south as Colo- 



