230 Mr. H. W. Bates on the Papilionidse 



Oolias in tropical America is confined to the highest plateaux of 

 Columbia, reappearing in several specific forms in the plains of the 

 southern temperate zone ; no trace whatever of the genus being found 

 in the Amazon valley. Lastly, Gonepteryx, although approaching 

 nearer the equator than Colias — Venezuela on the north and Per- 

 nambuco on the south each furnishing a species — is also quite absent ; 

 G. Lcachi ana, included by authors in this genus, being undoubtedly 

 a true CaUidryas. 



The genus Leptalis was supposed, both by Boisduval and Doubleday, 

 to have a real affinity with the Heliconidoo, as the species not only 

 resemble that family in shape, markings, and colours, but they also 

 have, as Doubleday states, a structural similarity to species of 

 Iihomia (a Heliconideous genus) in the neuration of the wings. The 

 two groups furnish a most curious instance of deceptive analogical 

 resemblance. There is, in truth, the widest possible difference be- 

 tween the two in all essential characters of affinity — a fact which a 

 careful study of the legs in the Ehopalocera will satisfactorily prove. 

 As to the resemblance in the wing-neuration, this character loses its 

 importance on account of its adaptive nature, being dependent on the 

 shape of the wings, habits, and strength of flight, and varying con- 

 sequently in nearly allied genera. 



Genus Leptalis. 

 Dalman, Anal. Ent. 39. 

 1. L. Orise, Bdv. 

 L. Orise, Bdv. Sp. Gen. p. 415. 3. 



6 $ . , Hewits. Exot. Butt. Lept. 10. 11. 



I found two examples ( S ) of this singular and rare species on the 

 banks of the Tapajos in 1852. They were flying in company with 

 Methona Psirfil, and their likeness to that species was so great that 

 I could not distingiiish the one from the other on the wing. The 

 mimetic resemblance is carried to the smallest peculiarities — to the 

 coloration of the antennae and the white spotting of the abdomen. 



2. L. Egaena, nob. 

 P. Amphione, Cram. 232 e. f., local var. 

 <5 $ . Darker than the Surinam type as figured by Cramer, both as to 

 the isahella ground-colour and the yellow belts. The inner belt of the 

 fore wing is reduced in breadth, and the short, macular subapical belt is 

 enlarged into a broad band ; the hind wing beneath is suffused with 

 fuscous, the isabella-colour existing only as narrow lines, and the paler 

 yellowish pari is restricted to two or three oval spots near the apex. 



