284 
LEPlDOPTEPvA. 
resembles it a good deal in form and general color, but 
is readily distinguished from it, and from all the other 
American butterflies, by the broad white arched band on the 
wings, which, beginning just beyond the middle of the front 
edge of the fore wings, curves backw^ards, crossing both 
wino:s, and ends on the inner ediie of the hind Avinirs. The 
male differs from the female in having a roAV of orano-e-col- 
ored spots on the upper side of the hind Avings next to the 
border, as Avell as on the under side. The caterpillar and 
chrysalis of this species are unknoAvn to me. 
The caterpillars of many of the four-footed butterflies are 
spiny, or have their backs armed Avith numerous projecting 
points; these, in some, are short and soft, and beset all 
around Avith A^ery small stiff hairs, in others they are long, 
hard, and sharp prickles, AAdiich generally are furnished Avith 
little stiff branches. The butterflies haA^e the knobs of the 
antennae short and hroad ; the feelers are rather long, and 
placed close together, at the base at least; the inner margin 
of the hind Avings is folded doAAuiAvards, and grooA^ed for the 
reception of the hody; the central mesh of these AA'ings is 
not closed behind ; and the nails of the four hind feet are 
divided so as to appear double. This group may be called 
Vanessians (Vanessada:), and contains the genera Arr/ijn- 
nis^ Melitcea^ Cyntlda^ and Vanessa, 
In Argynnis the Avings are never angulatcd or toothed, 
and the hind ones are generally ornamented Avith sih^ery or 
pearly spots beneath; the feelers spread apart at their points; 
the caterpillars have a round head, and are furnished Avith 
branched spines on all their segments, tAvo of those on the 
first segment being usually longer than the rest, and directed 
forwards ; chrysalids someAvhat angular, arched, rather thick 
at both ends, Avith the head squared or very slightly notched, 
Avithout a prominent nosc-like projection on the thorax, and 
on the back are tAvo roAvs of projecting points, AA'hich are 
usually golden-colored. Most of the caterpillars in this 
genus are obseiwed to liA^e on various kinds of violets, and 
