16 GROTE —THE DESCENT OF THE PIERIDS. [Jan. 5, 
tive type of coloration of the genus. It is very close to astynome, but 
represents a slightly more generalized type and must be considered 
thus a more primitive form. It differs by the minute character that 
the first median branchlet appears as a continuation of the cross- 
vein from its upper corner; in astynome the fusion of the upper 
wall of the vein with the radius can be made out. The radial 
branchlets are a little longer, but Ar equally fuses with the sub- 
costa. On hind wings /t ascends the radius for a shorter dis- 
tance, lagging thus behind astyzome and much as in £xantia. 
Since I am not in a position to compare Dismorphia, I cannot con- 
clude as to the absolutely right place for me/a and leave it under 
Lepialis. Color and pattern do not move necessarily with neura- 
tion and at times (as in Cumizza hirlanda) are much at variance. 
Leptalis melia is a more specialized insect, so far as the neuration is 
concerned, than those forms of Dismorphia, now to be described, 
in which J7/r still clings to cross-vein before the upper angle of 
cell. From its position with regard to astynome, it might have 
served as a palette upon which the heliconine pattern of the wing 
was subsequently traced, but I think not, the differences in neura- 
tion being so very slightly to its disadvantage. The costal humeral 
spur of hind wings is as in astynome. L. melia appears as a natural 
specialization of Hnantia milete. 
I will first take up a form which stands a little apart from the 
others here treated of : 
Gen. Pseudopierts God. and Salv. 
Type: P. nehemia. 
Pseudopterts nehemia (Boisd.). 
Radius five-branched, all the branches arising beyond the cell. 
Fi not fusing above with subcostal vein, but free. Discal cells 
closed, but curiously retreating superiorly on both wings ; the cross- 
vein here falling back toward base of wings and leaving JM/1 
stranded and fused with radius, at a point opposite 472, so that it 
has made no independent radial progress. On hind wings the 
humeral spur is straight, truncate, terminating in a Y-shaped pro- 
jection. 
This form differs from all others examined and the genus is 
undoubtedly valid, while the rest hold more or less together as 
phases in a progressive common specialization of the neuration. 
