32 



Family II. PIEEID^. 



Maxillce rather long. 



Antennce elongate, with a more or less ovate club ; or short, thickened gradually to the apex, which is 



truncate. 

 Wings with the discoidal cell always closed. The upper disco-cellular nervule mostly entirely wanting ; 



the first discoidal nervule being frequently united to the subcostal for some distance beyond the end 



of the cell. Abdominal margin of the posterior wings forming a distinct channel for the reception of 



the abdomen. 

 Legs all perfect. Anterior Tibia? without any spur in the middle. Tarsi with the first joint longest ; 



second, third, and fourth progressively shorter ; fifth longer than the fourth. Claws bifid ; mostly 



with pulvilli, and paronychia. 



Larva more or less pubescent, rather slender, tapering slightly to each extremity. 

 Pupa braced, angular ; the head pointed. 



This family may be readily knowu from the preceding, by the absence of the spur invariably found on the anterior 

 tibia? of the Papilionidse, by the channel formed by the abdominal margin of the posterior wings for the reception 

 of the abdomen, and by the different structure of the median ncrvure. 



Great diversity occurs in the neuration both of the anterior and posterior wings. In the former, the number of 

 subcostal nervules varies from three to five ; the third median nervule in one genus is united to the second discoidal 

 almost as in the Papilionids : in the latter, the discoidal ncrvure is sometimes united to the subcostal ncrvure, often to 

 the second subcostal, sometimes to the third median nervule. 



The Larv.e differ from those of the Papilionidae in having no tentacula on the prothoracic segments, and arc 

 generally more slender ; the head of the Pupa is always pointed, never bifid or truncate. 



Some of the species, especially in the genus Leptalis, have a marked affinity with the Heliconida? ; others, as the 

 genus Terias, approach very near to the Lycaenidae. 



The different genera vary much in form, especially in the structure of the antennae; which, in some of the genera, 

 are long, with an abrupt ovate club ; in others, become gradually thicker from the base to the apex. The genera 

 possessing antenna? of the latter form are generally more robust insects than the others of the family; but the genus 

 Terias, of which one species is nearly the smallest and most delicate butterfly known, is a remarkable exception. 



The typical genus Pieris, like all typical genera, has a wide geographical range, extending from the arctic circle to 

 the southern extremity of both Africa and America, and occurring also throughout Australia. The genera 

 Anthocharis and Colias have nearly an equal range, but as yet neither of these genera has occurred in Australia ; 

 Terias and Callidryaa are found in the tropical and sub-tropical regions of Asia, Africa, and America, and also in 

 Australia. In the New World both genera reach higher latitudes than in the Old World. Goneptevyx, under various 

 forms, occurs in both hemispheres, but is wanting in Australia; in Europe it extends much farther north than in 

 America. 



Euterpe and Leptalis belong to Tropical America ; Pontia and Idmais to Tropical Asia and Africa ; Thestias 

 and Iphias to Tropical Asia. Leucophasia is almost purely European, Eronia African, and Nathalis is entirely 

 American. 



