papilionid/t:. — pontia. 15 



that I venture to propose tliem as novelties to British naturalists ; 

 but I trust that by so doinjr I shall incite some zealous entomologists 

 to investigate this point, and endeavour to imravel the mystery 

 which yet shrouds our views of the specific identity of these insects. 

 So far as my feeble efforts permit me, I have attempted to elucidate 

 this subject, although fully aware that there are many individuals 

 who cordially despise the knowledge of species, and insist upon 

 that of structure alone being useful, a point upon which I intend to 

 dilate at a future period ; for the present I shall content myself with 

 remarking upon the discrepancy of form observable in this genus, 

 by which the entomologist will see, that even in the most modern 

 views, relative structure and habit of all the species in a genus is 

 not invariably attended to, as upon a casual glance the most inex- 

 perienced eye would detect the dissimilarity of structure in this 

 genus as at present constituted ; for it contains not only two very 

 dissimilar forms in the perfect state of the insect, but also in their 

 transformations, though I have not detached them from their hitherto 

 reputed congeners, as I do not choose to increase the number of 

 genera already proposed : although the same principles which au- 

 thorise the separation of Gonepteryx from Colias, or even of Pieris 

 and Leucophasia, from Pontia, would fully justify me. Mr. Kirby, 

 in the Butterfly-Collector's Vade-Mecum, observes, that P. Car- 

 damines should be detached on account of its metamorphosis, and 

 presumes that it ought to be united Avith Colias ; but its organiza- 

 tion in the perfect state will not allow of such an arrangement, as 

 Colias evidently belongs to a different group of Papilionidae, and 

 the structure of the pupa of P. Cardamines is not materially dissi- 

 milar to that of Leucophasia Sinapis belonging to the present 

 group. I shall therefore divide the genus into two sections, corre- 

 sponding with the dissimilarity of form alluded to above : the first 

 of which will embrace the true Pontile ; and the second, those in- 

 sects which, if necessary to create into a new genus, may, after 

 Hiibner, be termed Mancipia. 



A. With the terminal joint of the palpi longer than the second : the apex of 

 the anterior wings obtusely angled : the posterior wings not variegated be- 

 neath : the pupa strongly angulated, with a distinct short process in front, 

 and projecting lateral appendages in front of the wing-cases. (Pontia). 



Sp. 1. Brassicse. Alls albis, anticls supra apicc nigr'icante, subtus 

 maculis duahus nigris, posticis subtus JlavcsccntibiiS. (Exp. alar. 

 2 unc. G— 9 lin.) 



