156 NATURAL HISTORY OF ARCTIC AMERICA. 



It is remarkable that tlie collection of butterflies made by the British 

 Expedition, between latitude 78 and 82, well toward the Arctic Sea, 

 should exhibit a greater number of species, namely, 5, than is known in 

 Southern Greenland, where we are told but 4 species .have hitherto been 

 taken, and this northern series does not embrace the genus Chionobas, 

 one or two species of which are found in Greenland. Besides C. Hecla 

 and Argynnis Polaris, taken by Mr. Kumlieu, were Argynnis Cliaridea, 

 lAfccena Aquilo, and, most surprising of all, Chrysoplianns Plilceas, a 

 species represented throughout the northern United States under a 

 slightly different form, Americana. 



Family, NYMPHALIDJH. 

 Sub-family, NYMPHALIN^E. 

 Genus, Argynnis, Fabricius. 



1. A. Freya, Tliuiiberg. 



Two males were taken in Southwest Greenland. This species is dis- 

 tributed over the boreal regions of both continents 5 in America, from 

 Greenland to Alaska ; and it follows the Rocky Mountains as far to the 

 south as Colorado. It is subject to very little variation. 



2. A. Polaris, Boisduval. 



One male was taken at Quickstep Harbor. This species is more re- 

 stricted in distribution than Freya, and, so far as known, is. limited to 

 Northeast America, from Labrador to the Arctic Sea. It was taken by 

 the British Expedition as far to the north as latitude 81 52', and by 

 the American Expedition (Polaris) at 81 50'. It varies much in color, 

 and the example sent me by Mr. Kurnlien is remarkably melanic on the 

 upper surface, the hind wings especially showing scarcely any fulvous. 



Sub-family, SATYRIN^E. 



Genus, Chionobas, Boisduval. 

 1. C. Seinidea, Say. 

 Oeno, Boisduval. 



Two m.ales were taken at Quickstep Harbor. One of these has the 

 upper surface dark blackish-brown, and the discal belt on hind wings 

 beneath distinctly outlined on both edges. The other is light or pale 

 black-brown, and the belt is almost lost in the dense markings which 

 <jover the wing. But specimens from the White Mountains of New 

 Hampshire show similar variation. This species inhabits Labrador, 

 iiiid the Eocky Mountains at very high altitudes as far south as Colo- 



