DEFINITION OF THE COLIANiE. 89 



under wings have no groove for the body. Their geo- 

 graphic distribution is similar to that of the last family, 

 except that the genera of the Old World are in most 

 cases different from those of the New^ and tliere are as 

 many species in temperate as in tropical latitudes. 



(80.) The Coliance, or yellows, exhibit a uniformity 

 of colour seldom met with so decidedly prevalent in all 

 the species. They are of a rich straw colour or bright 

 yellow, entirely destitute of bands or spots ; but the 

 under surface is variegated with minute dots, and gene- 

 rally marked by one or two small central silver spots. 

 From the great similarity which prevails, the species are 

 not readily distinguished. The form of the perfect in- 

 sect, however, is very peculiar : its structure is thick 

 and robust ; the wings triangular, with the angles either 

 very slightly rounded or decidedly acute: no other but- 

 terflies in this family possess these characters, which all 

 indicate that boldness and vigour of flight belonging to 

 the group. The antennae also are peculiar ; they are 

 very gradually thickened towards the tip, where they 

 end abruptly and without any compression : the ante- 

 rior feet, although provided with claws, are much shorter 

 than usual; and the lower Avings form an imperfect 

 groove for the body. Several species belonging to the 

 genera Gonepteryx and Eurymus occur throughout 

 Europe, and some of these inhabit Britain ; but the ty- 

 pical form is chiefly confined to the tropical latitudes 

 of both hemispheres, where they are found in prodigious 

 numbers: they are, in fact, migratory insects, and re- 

 present the swallows in their own tribe. 



(81.) Of the LyccBnince we can say but little, since we 

 know not the exact extent of the group : they are, how- 

 ever, immediately distinguished by their large under 

 wings, which are as long, and always much broader, 

 than the upper : the sexes difl^er so materially, that 

 closet naturalists have not only described them as 

 separate species, but have imagined they belonged to 

 different genera. In structure and appearance they 

 resemble the Heliconidce ; but their anterior feet are 



