MELIT^A. 



179 



The Perfect Insects have much the same habits as the species composing the second section of the preceding genus, 

 frequenting open parts of woods and fields in their vicinity, but they often prefer more open ground. In the colour 

 of the upper surface, the European species mostly either resemble the second section of Argynnis, or are chequered with 

 black and fulvous, whence their French name of Damicrs. The males sometimes have the fulvous colour replaced by 

 white. The lower surface has little or no trace of the silvery markings of the preceding genus. Two American 

 species are black above, with a few fulvous or yellow spots, whilst the under surface is beautifully chequered. 



The Geographical Range of the first section appears to extend little beyond the northern temperate zone of both 

 continents. It just passes the tropic to the south and the arctic circle to the north. The fine species of the American 

 subsection figured is from St. Domingo, where it is very rare. I have only seen two specimens of it, one now in the 

 cabinet of Dr. Boisduval, the other presented by him to the British Museum. The second species of this subsection 

 seems confined to the northern parts of the United States and Canada. It is local, but is often found in vast numbers 

 where it does occur. Melitsea Anicia, which is found on the Rocky Mountains, resembles the European species in 

 habit, as do two species recently brought from California by Mr. Hartweg. 



The species composing the second section differ considerably from the first in external characters, and are purely 

 American. They are insects of less robust structure, and much feebler flight, are fond of alighting in the vicinity 

 of water, and have a decided partiality for the banks of rivers and small streams. Melitasa Tharos sometimes swarms in 

 countless thousands on Goat Island, in the midst of the Falls of Niagara. 



Allied to this group are several small tropical American butterflies mostly undeseribed, which, though not rare, I 

 have been unable satisfactorily to examine. Collectors abroad are so careless in regard to the preservation of the feet 

 of Lepidoptera, that these important organs are very commonly wanting, and it is this want that prevents me from 

 coming to any decision on these species. 



From what little opportunity I have had of examining them, I believe them to be allied to the next genus by the 

 peculiar characters of the anterior feet of the females. Perhaps ultimately they may form a small genus about of equal 

 value to Messaras or Euptoieta. 



MELITJEA. 



Section I. Mei.it.t.a. 



1. Mel. Maturna Ochs. Schmett. von Europa, iv. 13. (1816). 



P. Mat. Linn. Syst. Nat. n. 7S4. n. 201. (176'7). 



Fab. Ent. Syst. in. i. 254. n. 787- (1793). 



Hiibn. Samml. Eitrop. Schmett. Pap. f. 598 



-601. (1806-27). 



Arg. Mat. Godt. Enc. M. ix. 2S7. n. 56. (1819). 



P. Agrotera Borlth. Euro]). Schmett. i. 59- n. 11. 



(178S). 

 P. Cynthia Hilbn. Samml. Europ. Schmett. Pap. 

 f. 1. 2. (1806). 

 E. France, Switzerland, Germany, Sweden, Lapland. 



B. M. 



2. Mel. Ichnea Boisd. Icon. Hist. t. 23. f. 5, 6. (1832). 



Lapland, Siberia. B. M. 



3. Mel. Iduna Dalm. 



Zetterstedt, Fauna Lapp. 901. (1843). 

 P. Maturna var. Hiibn. Samml. Em-op. Schmett. 



Pap. f. 598-9. 601. and 807-8. (1806-27). 

 P Cynthia var. Ochs. Schmett. von Europa, x. 

 i. 21. (1806). 

 Lapland. 



4. Mel. Cynthia Ochs. Schmett. von Europa, iv. 15. (1816). 



P. Cyn. Denis § Schiffermiiller, 1/7™. Verts. 179. 



(1776). 

 Fab. Ent. Syst. 111. i. 253. n. 786. (1793). 

 Hiibn. Samml. Europ, Schmett. Pup. f. 56$, 



570. 608. and 6O9. (1806-27). 



Arg. Cyn. Godt. Enc. M. ix. 286. n. 55. (181 9). 

 P. Trivia Esper, Schmett. t. 37. Suppl. 13. f. 3. 



(1777-1805). 

 P. Mysia Hiibn. Samml. Europ. Schmett. Pap. 

 f. 1—3. (1806). 

 Switzerland, S. Germany, Tyrol. B. M. 



5. Mel. orientalis Herrich-Selurffer, f. 265, 266. (1845). 



Eastern Europe? 



6. Mel. Anicia Doubleday Sj Hewitson, t. 23. f. 2. (1847). 



Rocky Mountains, N. America. B. M. 



7- Mel. Artemis Ochs. Schmett. von Europa, iv. 15. (1816). 

 P. Art. Denis % Schiffermiiller, Wien. Verx. 322. 

 (1776). 

 Fab. Ent. Syst. in. 255. n. 790. (1793). 

 Hiibn. Samml. Europ. Schmett. Pap. f. 4-6. 

 (1804). 

 Arg. Art. Godt. Enc. M. ix. 285. n. 54. (1819). 

 P. Maturna Esper, Schmett. t. 16. f. 2. (1777) 

 P. Lye Herbst. t. 275. f. 5, 6. (1783-1804). 

 Var. Arg. Desfontainesii Godt. Enc. M. ix. 278. 



n. 46. (1819). 

 Mel. Desf. Boisd. Icones Hist. t. 23. f. 1, 2. 

 (1832). 

 Europe generally. Spain, N. Africa (var. Desfon- 

 tainesii ). 



8. Mel. Merope Boisd. Icon. Hist. t. 22. f. 6, 7. ( 1 832). 

 P. Mer. De Prunner, Lep. Fed. '". (1793). 

 Switzerland. B. M. 



