122 HELICONIDJE. 



Genus XI. ITHOMIA. 



Heliconia Latr., God', fyc. 



Mechanitis Fab. 



Hymenitis, Ithomia, Oleria, Aeria, Ceratinia, Hiibn. 



Head rather broad. 



Eyes round, prominent. 



Maxilla slender, about as long as the thorax. 



Labial Palpi slender, not rising above the forehead, clothed with scales, and, in front especially, 

 with short scattered hairs ; the dorsal tuft distinct. Basal joint subcylindric, slightly curved, 

 about two fifths the length of the second, which is less robust, and tapers more or less to the 

 apex, where it is rounded ; third joint small, oval, obovate, or nearly globular, about one sixth 

 the length of the second. 



Antennce equal in length to three fourths of the length of the body, very gradually incrassated 

 towards the apex ; the articulations at the same time becoming gradually shorter and more 

 distinct, without any regular grooves below. 

 Thorax rather small, oval, or nearly round ; the prothorax rather more distinct than usual. 



Anterior Wings somewhat subtriangular, elongate, the apex much rounded ; anterior margin more 

 or less rounded ; inner margin distinctly emarginate, about two thirds the length of the 

 anterior ; outer margin much rounded, sometimes nearly equal in length to the inner, sometimes 

 to about two thirds thereof. Costal nervure reaching the costa nearly opposite to, or slightly 

 beyond, the end of the cell. Subcostal nervure throwing off its first branch shortly before the 

 end of the cell ; its second sometimes at about an equal, sometimes at a less, distance beyond it ; 

 the third about midway between the second and fourth, though rather nearer to the former than 

 to the latter, which is about equally distant from the third and from the apex ; fifth subcostal 

 nervule terminating on the outer margin considerably below the apex. Upper disco-cellular 

 nervulc entirely wanting, or so short as to be barely visible. Upper discoidal nervule generally 

 just touching the subcostal nervure. Middle disco-cellular mostly directed obliquely inwards, 

 about equal to, or longer than, the lower, which is directed obliquely outwards, anastomosing 

 Avith the third submedian nervule at a point where it is abruptly bent at an obtuse angle. 

 Second submedian nervule distant from the first. Submedian nervure closely approximating 

 and nearly parallel to the third submedian nervule. Internal nervure short, running into the 

 submedian. 



