MELIT^EA. 73 



Neardic and Neotropical Regions. 



As already mentioned, Argynnis is better represented in 

 temperate America than almost any other genus of the larger 

 Butterflies ; while Brenthis, though not numerous in American 

 species, extends down to Chili and the extreme south-west of 

 South America. There are, however, two interesting genera 

 of the Argynnis group which are peculiar to America, Clothilda, 

 Blanchard, and Euptoieta, Doubleday. 



Clothilda is a very handsome genus, consisting of large 

 Butterflies measuring four inches across the wings, and greatly 

 resembling Argynnis. There are several species inhabiting 

 the larger West Indian Islands which are brownish-tawny, 

 with transverse rows of large brown spots, the under surface of 

 the hind-wings marked with irregularly undulated yellowish 

 and whitish lines and spaces on a darker ground. On the main- 

 land of Mexico and Central America we find still handsomer 

 brown and yellowish-grey species, which become black towards 

 the base of the fore-wings, with the middle third of the wing 

 on both sides filled up with alternate black and rosy markings. 



Euptoieta is found in all parts of America, frequenting open 

 grassy country. There are, however, only two or three species 

 measuring from two to nearly three inches across the wings. 

 They much resemble the non-caudate group of Atella in 

 shape, size, and markings, but the fore-wings are longer at the 

 apex, and the under surface is much more uniform in colour, 

 without whitish lines, or distinctly-formed eyes ; though a row 

 of small sub-marginal white spots, corresponding to larger black 

 ones above, is sometimes visible. 



GENUS MELIT/EA. 

 Melitcea, Fabr. in Illiger, Mag. Insekt., vi., p. 284 (1807); 

 Doubl., Gen. Diurn. Lepid., p. 177 (1848); Schatz, Exot. 

 Schmett., ii., p. 120 (18S7). 



Type M. cinxia (Linn.). 



K 2 



