( xlv ) 



common to several American species, such as Argynnis cybele 

 and A. aphrodite. 



The androconia are sometimes so small that they can only 

 be readily distinguished hy the desquamation of the wings ; 

 but they will, I think, be found in all the species of the genus 

 Argynnis, though not in Brenthis, which latter genus has a 

 much weaker structure of wing, and consequently the species 

 belonging to it are more feeble in flight, resembling in this 

 respect when on the wing, those of the genus MelitcEa, for 

 which I have often mistaken them. 



An examination of the denuded wings now exhibited will, 

 I think, convince anyone that the nervules and nervures in 

 question are in no way dilated or thickened. I have not 

 studied the Argynnidi sufficiently to enable me to speak with 

 much authority on the subject ; but I think it will be found 

 that the presence or absence of the androconia, together with 

 their distribution on the nervules, would afford considerable 

 aid in dividing them into convenient groups, whether genera 

 or subgenera. I have been induced to express this opinion 

 because in studying the Danaine Butterflies I have found the 

 secondary sexual characters of- great use in dividing them 

 into natural genera, as shown by Mr. Moore in his monograph 

 of that division of butterflies which appeared in the Zoological 

 Society's 'Journal of Proceedings ' for the year 1883. 



I may say, in conclusion, that, with the exception of the 

 fact of the resistance of the androconia to the action of the 

 Waterhouse process, the other facts set forth in these notes 

 have already been referred to both by American and European 

 writers on the order Lepidoptera. 



Lord Walsingham, Mr. Distant, and others took part in the 

 discussion which ensued. 



November 6, 1889. 



Prof. J. 0. Westwood, M.A., F.L.S., Hon. Life-President, 

 in the chair. 



Donations to the Library were announced, and thanks voted 

 to the respective donors. 



PROC. ENT. SOC. LOND., IV., 1889. H 



