350 MODERN CLASSIFICATION OF INSECTS. 

forming a gutter for the reception of the abdomen. The palpi 
are porrected, with distinct joints (jig. 96. 2. represents the head 
of Pontia Rapz, with the palpi opened, one of them being denuded 
in this figure ; the minute labrum and mandibles are perceived 
above the base of the spiral maxilla, the two large oval bases 
of which are attached to the head as well as the labium, from the 
sides of which the large labial palpi take their rise; fig. 96. 3. head 
of the same insect seen sideways; ig. 96.4. tip of antennz of ditto; 
96. 5. ditto of Gonepteryx Rhamni) ; the fore legs are long and per- 
fect, without the dilated spine (fig. 96. 6.); the ungues are bifid, 
often with a long pulvillus and a narrow hirsute appendage on each 
side (fig. 96. 7, 8. ungues, &c. of Pontia Brassica); the caterpillars 
are finely pubescent and attenuated at each end without any nuchal 
tentacle (fig. 96.9. larva of Pontia Brassicz ; 96. 10. larva of Gonept. 
Rhamni); the chrysalides angular, slightly compressed, and termi- 
nated in a point at each extremity, so as in some species to assume 
the appearance of a curved canoe (fig. 96. 10. pupa of Pieris Cra- 
tegi; 96. 12. ditto of Gonepteryx Rhamni). 
These insects, which include our common well-known white garden 
butterflies, never acquire the size, nor are they equal in beauty nor 
so varied in their colours, as the preceding subfamily ; white, orange, 
and brimstone being their prevailing tints. The last-named insects 
are, however, occasionally very destructive, the larva feeding for the 
most part upon cruciferous plants, and especially attacking the garden 
species, stripping cabbages, &c. of their leaves. These species, which 
compose the genus Pontia of Stephens, are either extremely variable, 
or several species have been confounded together. Mr. Stephens has 
supported the latter opinion by various statements relative to the 
