.ARGYNNIS I. 
brown or a mottled appearance. I have a curious example of this last, taken on 
the Kanawha, where the whole surface is mottled, sometimes yellow prevailing, 
sometimes black. But in Diana the sexes are absolutely separated in color, and, on 
the upper surface, as widely separated in markings. On part of the lower surface 
there is a resemblance, but any other two species of Argynnis that may be selected 
are nearer each other than are the two sexes of Diana. 
In the Sixth Edition of Ly ell’s Elements of Geology, figure 179, is repre- 
sented a fossil butterfly (reproduced below) from the miocene beds of Croatia, taken 
from Heer’s Insektenfauna der Tertise, Ac., which bears a singular resemblance to 
Diana male. It is called Vanessa Pluto in the text, but is plainly an Argynnis. 
Even the colors of the insect were partially preserved. Heer himself calls attention 
to the resemblance to Diana, though he inclines to think it still more resembles Va- 
nessa Hedonia, Cramer, an Indian species. He says, “among butterflies of a simi- 
lar coloration may be mentioned A. Diana, 
Cramer. This butterfly is black (dark 
brown?) and is furnished on the outer bor- 
der with a row of yellow spots divided by 
the nervures. These yellow spots reach 
to the border and each one has two black 
dots. Diana is decidedly larger. In size 
and coloration the fossil agrees better with 
Hedonia, yet this point cannot be decided 
with certainty until a specimen is found with the outer border completely pre- 
served.” With the Pluto are found Dragon-flies “with speckled wings, like those 
of the Southern States of North America.” Lyell, page 245. And on page 256, 
“the insect fauna of the age of the beds of Oeningen, (miocene,) like the plants, 
are of a recent American type.” 
Variations in size are of little moment in comparing species, as every species 
furnishes individuals both much larger and much smaller than the average. Form 
and markings are essential, and coloration in a less degree. In the present case, 
taken in connection with the character of the fauna, I am apt to believe that our 
superb Diana comes of a venerable antiquity, and is entitled to rank as the head 
of this large and beautiful family. 
