93 HELICONID^E. 



It is peculiarly interesting to observe this similarity in the habits of insects of different orders, but resembling one 

 another in external form. 



The Heliconidse, with the exception of the genus Hainadryas, are entirely confined to the New World, and almost 

 to the tropical parts of it. Heliconia Charitonia has been found in the southern parts of East Florida, and probably 

 some species occur to the south of the tropic of Capricorn, thus extending the range slightly beyond both tropics. 

 Though thus truly tropical, they are found to a considerable elevation on the mountains and high table lands. The true 

 Heliconia; seem mostly to prefer the low country or the first slopes of the mountains to an elevation of about 2000 feet. 

 In this genus some of the species have a wide range of latitude, as Heliconia Melpomene and H. Charitonia, which are 

 found many degrees on both sides the equator. Other species have a more limited range, especially those with radiating 

 red or crimson lines on the posterior wings. Some of these species were found in great abundance at the mouth 

 of the Amazons by Mr. J. P. G. Smith. These species are rarely seen in the collections sent from Rio, and in Mr. 

 Dyson's collections from Venezuela I found but one specimen ; but in Mr. Smith's collection from the mouth of the 

 Amazons, by far the most extensive and interesting I have ever seen from Northern Brazil, these species predominated. 

 It is to the kindness of this gentleman that the British Museum is indebted for nearly every specimen of this group 

 which it possesses. From M. Lacordaire's remarks these species appear to be rare in Cayenne, probably their true 

 country is the valley of the Amazons. 



The delicate Ithomia: are found from the level of the sea to full 8000 feet above it, and are almost equally numerous in 

 every part of America within the tropics, unless it be Peru, and the more southern parts of the Pacific coast. On the 

 other hand Olyras and Athesis seem confined to the country westward of the Orinoco, perhaps almost to the mountains 

 of Venezuela. The second section of Tithorea appears to inhabit a still more western region, whilst the first section 

 belongs more peculiarly to the West Indies, and the north-eastern parts of South America. But our knowledge is as 

 yet too scanty to permit of our speaking positively on such points. All we can say is, that as yet we only know that 

 such an insect occurs in such a place or places, and whilst we carefully register every fact that comes to our knowledge, 

 await the time when we, or those who follow us, may venture to generalise. 



Although I have placed the genus Hamadryas provisionally in this family, I am by no means sure that this is its 

 true place. The only perfect specimen of this genus which I have seen is one lent to me by Dr. Boisduval, and 

 consequently I have been unable to bestow upon it the minute examination requisite to decide upon its exact position. 

 Unlike all the other genera of this family, it is found in the Old World, occurring in the most eastern islands of the 

 Indian Archipelago and the Polynesian groups. 



