AMERICAN LEPIDOPTERA. 303 



which color extends to the mesosternum (the interval between the first and sec- 

 ond i^air of coxse); the posterior part of the pleurse is yellowish, which color 

 surrounds the root of the wings, even encroaching upon the mesonotum, and ex- 

 tends towards the hind coxae, without reaching them; the halteresare inserted 

 on brown ground ; they are brownish but the basal half of their stem is pale 

 yellow; the scutellum brownish anteriorly, is yellowish posteriorly; the meta- 

 thorax is yellowish anteriorly, brownish posteriorly. Abdomen brown, hairy; 

 male genitals yellowish-brown. Feet brownish, underside with a whitish re- 

 flection ; (when denuded, the feet appear pale). The first joint of the tarsi, as 

 usual, is very short; the seeond is about equal in length to the three following 

 taken together ; (the relation of these four joints is about as follows : 6i. 3^. 2i. 

 1; it is nearly the same on all feet.) The wings are clothed with grayish hairs; 

 the second longitudinal vein is very gently arcuated; no perceptible cross-vein 

 between the first and the second longitudinal veins. (Description drawn from 

 three dry specimens, males). 



Description of a new genus of PIEKID^, and certain new species of butterflies 



from California. 

 BY HERMAN BEEIK, M. D. 



Genus NEOPIIASIA, Behr. 

 Larva ignota. 



Iniaijo ; caput globulifonue, oculi pro forma thoracis magni promi- 

 nentes ; palpi strictiusculi, capite longiores, conipressi, hirsuti, an- 

 tennse mediocres in clavam fusifonuem desinentes, abdomen gracile alis 

 inferioribus brevius, alaj elongata; teueri-imBS, cellula discoidalis in me- 

 dian! alam porrecta. Alarum anticarum angulus superior acutiusculus. 



This Genus forms a very natural passage from Pontia to Pier is. 

 From Pontia it differs by the shape of the wing ; from Pieris by its 

 gauze-like substance, by the shape and proportions of the head and the 

 slenderness of thorax and abdomen. 



The shape and position of the discoidal cell separates JSfeophasia 

 from Leucojihasia. 



I know of two species belonging to this genus, both of them inhabi- 

 tants of the pine forest region of the mountain chains parallel to the 

 coast of the Pacific. 



1. N. Menapia. (^Pieris menapia, Felder) is found on a certain 

 elevation of the Sierra Nevada. Of its habits, I only know that it is 

 found in pine forests. Mr. Lorquin, well known by his scientific trav- 

 els, ventures the opinion that the caterpillar feeds on some coniferous 

 tree, a supposition, that, notwithstanding the unusual food for a Pierid 

 larva, is not altogether so improbable as it appears at first, as, I, my- 

 self have found the larva of a true Pieris^ in South Australia, on a 

 species of Loranthus. • 



