ARGYNNIS. 

 Papilio. Lin. 



GENERIC CHARACTER. 



Antennae terminated by a short club: palpi 

 divaricating, second joint compressed, broad, 

 hairy ; third joint terminating abruptly by a 

 short, slender, acute joint : inferior wings sub- 

 orbicular ; anterior feet short, feeble : tarsi with 

 double nails. 



OBSERVATIONS. 



Many species of this genus are beautifully 

 decorated with spots on the lower surface of the 

 inferior wings, resplendent with all the brilliancy 

 of polished silver, or rivalling the milder, but 

 not less attractive lustre, of precious opal. The 

 superior surface of the wings is varied with red 

 or orange, agreeably relieved by spots or lines of 

 black or brown. The larva or caterpillar is 

 armed with spines, and the pupa or chrysalis 

 attaches itself by the tail to a fixed object, in 



PLATE XVII. 



