ARGYNNIS XIV. 
In short, the species is remarkably silvered. The silver spots also are hea- 
vily edged with black, quite contrary to what appears in Aglaia. 
As to color, passing by the upper surface as of less consequence, though the 
shades of fulvous are different in both sexes, in Aglaia, three fourths of the under 
surface of the fore- wings is tinted with dull fulvous, the submarginal portions only 
being ochraceous ; the secondaries are of a chrome-green mottled with ochraceous 
from base to second row of silver spots, and the band between this and outer row 
is broad, ochraceous and not encroached on by the basal green color. 
In Edioardsii, deep fulvous covers half the cell of fore wings and that part of 
the interspaces next below the cell, and the median nervures are narrowly bor- 
dered with same color nearly to the margin ; the remainder of the cell and all 
the upper interspaces being a bright huff. In the female the basal color is in- 
tensified to a fiery red, covering the whole of the two inferior median interspaces. 
In the male, the ground color is pale olivaceous mottled with buff, with a very nar- 
row buff band between the silvered rows. In the female the whole wing except 
the submarginal band is olivaceous upon a brown ground, giving a mottled appear- 
ance to the surface ; and at the margin and anterior to the marginal spots it is 
wholly brown ; the sub-marginal band is of a brighter green, owing to the absence 
there of the sub-color. 
These differences are specific and it is not necessary to look for others of 
minor importance. 
On referring to Humphreys as cited, the very title of the species indicates the 
peculiar color of the under surface of secondaries; “A. Ag]aia. The Dark Green 
Fritillary.” The description reads. “The outer margin of the fore-wings in the 
males is almost straight or scarcely perceptibly concave, whilst that of the females 
is distinctly rounded. Beneath, the hind wings are varied with green and yellow 
with about seven silvery spots at the base, an irregular row of seven silver spots 
beyond the middle of the wing and a row of seven submarginal. 
Two varieties are mentioned by Westwood and one is figured under the name 
A. Charlotta, neither of which have any nearer approach to the American 
species. 
Godart says of Aglaia, “The silver spots are usually small and round.” 
I have thought it well to go thus into details as to the distinction between 
Aglaia and Edwardsii, as perhaps, and with as good reason, Nevadensis may be 
pronounced a variety of Aglaia. 
For if Edwardsii is Aglaia, and there is not “ the least difference except in 
name,” we may as well deny specific characters altogether, or call all green forms 
one species, all brown another and so on. 
The truth is, the sooner the theory of identity between the European and 
North American fauna in this department is exploded the better. It is founded 
on the merest modicum of fact, and leads its advocates into inconsistencies and 
contradictions. Unquestionably, certain boreal and alpine butterflies have passed 
from one continent to the other in high latitudes, as have a few strong flying Ya- 
nessans and Coliades, but I believe the whole number common to the temperate 
regions of both continents can be counted on one’s fingers. 
