110 



Genus PIERIS. 



According to the definition which it has been 

 found necessary to give to this genus in general works 

 on the lepidoptera, it includes a very extensive range 

 of species, and may be said to be represented in 

 this country by the white butterflies, which British 

 authors generally place in the genus Pontia. In 

 this extended acceptation, however, it comprehends 

 individuals somewhat diversified in appearance, and 

 which may be assumed as the types of particular 

 groups or sub-divisions, perhaps of sufficient im- 

 portance ultimately to become genera, if a corres- 

 ponding dissimilarity be found to characterise their 

 different states and metamorphoses. The antennae 

 are of moderate length or slightly elongated, the 

 articulations pretty distinct, the club obconic and 

 compressed ; palpi thickly covered with fascicles of 

 long hairs, the terminal joint at least as long as the 

 penultimate : wings of ordinary size, the discoidal 

 cell closed ; the under pair partially embracing the 

 abdomen : eyes naked, head rather small. 



The caterpillar is elongated, and nearly cylindri^ 

 cal, pubescent, and marked with longitudinal rays ; 

 the head small and rounded. Chrysalis terminating 

 in a single conical point anteriorly, attached by the 

 tail and a medial band. 



