DIDONIS. 



'35 



the wings is bounded outside, at least on the fore-wings, by a 

 broad green band ; the under side of the hind-wings is brown 

 or red, with a slightly-marked row of ocellated spots. Of the 

 habits of one of the best known species, P. prola (Doubleday 

 and Hewitson), found in New Grenada and on the Upper 

 Amazons, Bates remarks : " It descends into sunny openings, 

 and into open grounds on fine days, entering the houses in 

 villages and settling on the whitewashed walls, with its wings 

 sometimes expanded and sometimes erect. Its flight is ex- 

 tremely rapid and bold." About half-a-dozen species of Panacea 

 are now known. 



Batesia, Felder, is another magnificent genus, of which one 

 or two closely-allied species or varieties inhabit the north-west 

 of South America. They measure about four inches across 

 the wings, which are black above, with the base and centre of 

 the hind-wings deep blue, and a broad oblique crimson band 

 on the fore-wings. The under side shows no blue, but the 

 hind-wings are dull yellow with a black border. 



Another South American genus which we may mention here, 

 is Ectima, Doubleday, which includes rather small and incon- 

 spicuous Butterflies, measuring about an inch and a half across 

 the wings, which are shaped nearly as in Ageronia, but the hind- 

 wings are a little more square. They are of a slaty-grey above, 

 with a white oblique band on the fore-wings ; the under side is 

 paler. There are only a few species known, but they are widely 

 distributed in South America, and they sit with their wings 

 expanded, after the fashion of Ageronia. 



Following the genera which are more distinctly allied to 

 Ageronia, are placed some rather isolated Tropical Ameiican 

 forms, distinguished by the inflated costal nervure, most of 

 which were formerly located, with others, in the Eurytelidce. 



The first of these genera, Didonis, Illibner, is one of the 

 most easily recognised of all the American Nymphaliruz. The 







