178 
Genus PAYONIA. 
The group composing this genus was separated from 
the preceding by Godart, chiefly on account of the 
discoidal cell in the secondary wings being closed. 
Besides this character the palpi are not so densely 
clothed with scales, and the inferior nervure of the 
upper wings is curved near its origin in the form of 
the letter S. The species very closely resemble the 
Morphos in most other respects, but their colours 
are generally less brilliant. They are all from South 
America, and in that country they are far most abun- 
dant in Brazil. The caterpillars of several different 
kinds have been represented by Madam Merian, and, 
like those of Morpho, they differ from each other 
in their appearance and properties. 
