PARNASSIUS II-IV. 



micropyle, and showing at each corner a minute celL Dcjiosited uijon leaves and 

 stems of Sedum. 



Larva unknown. 



In this series of specimens there is remarkable variation; in size, the lar- 

 gest being full twice that of the smallest, in the extent of the transparent margin, 

 in the density of the black border to abdominal margin, in the hook projected 

 around the extremity of cell, in the size and shape of the black spots on costal mar- 

 gin of primaries, in the number and size of the crimson spots on same wings, tliose 

 of the costa varying from one to four; in the black spot on inner margin, varying 

 from nil to a conspicuous patch, with or without crimson centre; in the shape and 

 relativesizeof the two crimson spots on secondaries, and in the 23resence or absence 

 of one or two spots at anal angle ; in tlie hind margin of secondaries, sometimes im- 

 maculate, at others ornamented with conspicuous black crescents; on tlie under 

 side also, the f Hir basal spots of secondaries, though always present, vary from 

 grey to black, usually with crimson centres, but frequently without, or show lint 

 two or tliree of the number so marked; the colored spots also on both sides vary 

 from deep crimson to ochraeeous and arc either with or without Avhite 2)upils. In 

 short the variation is sufficient to include several distinct sjiecies, were not the gra- 

 dations so regular that it is not possible to draw a dividing line. What I for- 

 merly described as Stujli, ?, is undoubtedlv but an extreme variation, and I pre- 

 sume this is the Nom'ion of Boisduval. P. Bclirii, I am satisfied, is another varietv, 

 distinguished by the orange color of the spots and the heavy submarginal lunules 

 on secondaries, suixly distinct enough to b(> ranked as a species were it not for the 

 many intergrades between it and the type. 



!Mr. Mead was fortiuiate in ol)tiiining numbers of eggs, of Smmihc^is by en- 

 closing the females with the food plant. From some of these the drawings on the 

 plate were made by ]\Ir. Konopicky, Artist to the Museum of Comi^arative Zoology, 

 Cambridge, through tlie kindness of Dr. Plagen. A large number of drawings 

 of eggs of other species, sent by Mr. Mead, and rejiresenting rare Coloradian but- 

 terflies, were made by the same distinguished artist. To him also I am indebted 

 for the drawings of the al)tlominal j^ouch represeuted on the 2>late. 



The eggs obtained by Mr. ]\Iead were carefully watched, but, two months after 

 they were deposited, and very near the end of the season, they showed no signs of 

 hatching, though on opening some of them the living larvae were found. Therefore 

 we are still ignorant respecting their jwriod or the habits of the larva3. If it had not 

 been for the speedy approach of cold weather, the latter might be suj^posed to 

 hatch early in September and to spend the winter in webs as do the larv;e of 

 Melitaea. It was the opinion of Mr. Mead that this was impossible and that they 



