148 LEPIDOPTERA 



In the majority of cases the pupa is, however, suspended 

 as is usual in Xymphalidae. Nothing is known as to the 

 nature of the peculiar inflation of the bases of the nervures of 

 the front wings ; it is well shown in our common species of 

 Coenom/mpJia; this character is not, however, constant through- 

 out the family. There is in Soutli America a very remarkable 

 group of Satyrides consisting of the genera Cithacrias and 

 Hactera, in which the wings are very delicate and transparent, 

 bearing on the greater })art of their area ronote fine hairs instead 

 of scales ; there are nevertheless some scaled patches al)Out the 

 margins, and one or more of tlie ringed marks characteristic of 

 the Satyrides ; while in some species tlie distal portions of the 

 hind wings are tinted with carmine. The species of the genus 

 Ficrclla connect these transjtarent Satyrids with the more 

 ordinary forms. According to Wallace the habits of these 

 fairy-like forms are those characteristic of the family in geueral. 

 The genus Myiiinias has been separated l)y some authorities as 

 a sulj-family, or even as a family, Elymniidae, cliiefly on the 

 ground of a slight peculiarity in the termination of the liranclies 

 (if the veins at the outer angle of the front wings. The Elymnins 

 are said to be of a mimetic nature, having a greater or less 

 resemblance to butterflies of various other divisions ; there is 

 also a considerable difference in appearance between tlieir own 

 sexes. The larva of E. undidaris is known ; it is of the form 

 usual in Satyrides, and lives on the palm Corypha. Al)0ut 

 50 species, ranging from India to Australia, with two in Africa, 

 are known of this interesting group. 



Sub-Fam. 4. Morphides. — There is no cell on the hind wing, 

 the discocelhihir nervuh being ahsent (Fig. 161,11. B). CaterjnUars 

 smooth or spiny, with the extremity of the body divided ; frequently 

 gregarious. These Insects have become notorious from the extra- 

 ordinary Inilliancy of blue colour exhibited by the upper surface of 

 the wings of the typical genus Morpho. The species oi Morplio are 

 all Insects of large size, l)ut with wings enormous in proportion 

 to the body ; this latter part is carried in a sort of cradle formed 

 bv the inner parts of the margins of the hind wings. Although 

 an arrangement of this kind is seen in numerous other l)utter- 

 flies, yet there is perhaps none in which it is carried to (piite 

 such a pitch of perfection as it is in Morpho, where, on the 

 under surface no part of the body behind the posterior legs can 



