102 



HELICONID^:. 



of the tibia, five-jointed; the first longer than the rest combined, subcylindric, largest at the 

 apex, -which has a stout spine on each side ; second, third, and fourth joints short, broad, 

 mostly very spiny below, -with lateral tufts of stiff hairs, and a stout spine on each side at the 

 apex; fifth joint tapering towards the apex, Avhere it is furnished with a curved claw-like 

 process. 

 Middle and Posterior Legs moderately long. Tibiae longer than the femora, more or less spiny, 

 with the spurs distinct. Tarsi longer than the tibia?, spiny, the spines below placed in four 

 regular rows ; the first joint very long, sometimes more than ecmal to the rest combined ; second, 

 third, and fourth progressively shorter; fifth about ecmal to the second. Claws curved. 

 Paronychia bilaciniate ; the outer lacinia often less membranaceous, and more solid than usual, 

 pointed, about equal in length to the claw ; inner membranaceous, sometimes very short, almost 

 triangular, sometimes more elongate, strap-shaped. Pulvilli as long as the claws, jointed, the 

 last joint nearly round. 

 Abdomen somewhat clavate, elongate, mostly extending considerably beyond the wings. 



Larva and Pupa unknown. 



The Heliconian offer severaf very distinct types of colouring, and some considerable variations in the form of the 

 anterior wings. As a genus, however, they are easily recognisable, with the exception of a few species which resemble 

 some species of Mechanitis. These may be always distinguished by the form of the cell of the posterior wings, and the 

 situation of the discoidal nervure. The anterior feet in the males also offer au excellent character, the tibia) and tarsi 

 in Mechanitis being only represented by a small knob. I have not observed any tufts of long hairs on the anterior 

 margin of the posterior wings in the males, as in Tithorea and Mechanitis. 



Some of the species are rather difficult to discriminate, as they are much subject to variation, and appear sometimes 

 to hybridise. The prevalent variation in colour arises from the black ground colour invading and sometimes 

 obliterating the yellow or red markings, especially on the posterior wings. In some species the yellow is not 

 unfrequently replaced by a fulvous colour. This is particularly the case in those species which resemble Mechanitis. 



This genus has a Geographical Eange extending slightly beyond both tropics ; it is most numerous near the equator, 

 and in general they prefer the lower tracts of country up to about two or three thousand feet above the level of the 

 6ea. 



HELICONIA. 



1. Hel. Atthis Doublcday if Hewitson, t. 14. f. 3. (1847). 

 Guayaquil. B M. 



2. Hel. Elvira. 



Guayaquil. 



B. M. 



3. Hel. Charitonia Godt. Enc. M. ix. 210. n.22. (1810). 



P. Oh. Linn. Syst. Nat. a. 757. n. 65. (1767). 

 Fab. Ent. Syst. in. i. 170. n. 528. (1793). 

 Cram. t. 101. f. F. (1777). 

 Apostraphia Ch. Hiibn. Verz. beh. Schmett. 13. 

 (1816). 

 Jamaica, Honduras, Venezuela. B. M. 



4. Hel. Aranea Godt. Enc. M. ix. 20J). n. 19. (1819). 



P. Ar. Fab. Ent. Syst. in. i. 168. n. 51$. 

 (1793). 

 Jones, Icones, 11. t, 26. f. 1. (ined.). 

 Brazil. B. M. 



5. Hel. Antiocha Godt. Enc. M. ix. 203. n. 4. (1819). 



P. Ant. Linn. Syst. iVat. 11. add. 1068. n. 12. 

 (1767). 

 Fab. Ent. Syst. in. i. 173. n. 538. (1793). 

 Cram. t. 38. f. E. F. (1775). 

 Ajantis Ant. Hiibn. Verz. bek. Schmett. 14. 

 (1816). 

 Brazil, Guiana, Venezuela. B. M. 



6. Hel. Leuce. 



Ajantis Sappho Hiibn. Samml. Exot. Schmett. 

 (1806-27). 

 Brazil. B. M. 



7. Hel. Sappho Godt. Enc. M. ix. 203. n. 2. (1819). 



P. Sap. Drury, in. t. 38. f. 4. (1782). 

 Fab. Ent. Syst. in. i. 165. n. 511. (1793). 

 Jamaica. B. M. 



