B W' S C Vaq u s COLLECTION OF William ScHAus © PRESENTED TO THE National Museum MCMV ^^-v^7 //i<. r «5 ] '"^ ^'"-^ ^.■, -.^^ ^3 XXXII. Contributions to on Insect Fauna of the Amazon Valley. Lkpidopteu.v : IIelicoxid.e. Hi/ Hexhy AValteu Bates, Esq. (Communicated by the Secretary.) * Read November 21st, hsGl. " Die wissenschaftliche rntersuchung der Natur strebt in den Einzelhciten das Aligemcine zu erkcnncn, urn endlicli dein Gruudc allcr Dinge niiher zu koinincn. Fiir diese Art UntcTsuchungen, die immer das Ziel der N'aturforschung scin sollte, bietet nohl keine Thicrclasse so reichen Stoff als die Insecten." — Karl Ernst ran Baer, Address on ihe Opening of the Russian Entomological Society, St. Petersl)urg, May 18()0. 1 HE family llcticoniihe was established by ^Ir. E. Duul)leday in 1817, in D(jubleday and Ilewitson's 'Genera of Diurnal Lepidoptera.' It was founded on a uuml)er of Butterflies, remarkable for the elongated shape of their wings, and peculiar (with the exception of one genus, IIa)na(/r//a,s, wliieli the author placed j)rovisi()iiaUy in the family, op. cit. p. 98) to the intertropical and subtropical zones of America. Many of them had been described l)y the older authors under Heliconia, Media nil is-, and several other ill-delined genera. They had been previously (in 183G) united in a lrii)e, Heliconides, by Dr. Boisduval in his ' iSpecies General des Lcpidopteres ;' but this comjjrehended also the group Acrceiche, which Dou])leday excluded from the family. Linuajus treated them as a s(!ction of tlie genus I'(ipilio, under the name oi Ueliconii. The nearest allies of the Ilelieunida- are the ^Icrwidai ]\\^i mentioned and tlie Danayhe: all are distinguished from th(^ true Nyiiiphalidie by the discoidal cell of the hind wings being always closed by jicrfect tubular uervules. Mr. Doubleday, placing more reliance on the shape of the antemue and the al)doniinal border of the hind wings than on the far uKn'e important character above named, was led to exclude the genus Encides from the J'amily : this rendered the definition of the two groups very dillicult, if not impossil)le, Encides having the wing-cells closed in tlie same way as the lleliconidce. Excepting that I re-admit Eueides, and exclude Eamadri/as, which does not enter into the series of the American Eel icon idee, the family will be treated of in the present memoir as defined in the work above quoted. The position of the Eelieonidcc in the order Lepidoptera may Ije luuhn'stood when I state that in a natural system tin; group would stand at the head of the whole series of families of which the order is ctmiposed. At least, this should be its place according to the view now taken of the order by many systematists, who arrange the families of Ithopalocera, or Butterflies, according to their degree of dissimilarity to the Eeterucci-a, or Moths — in other words, according as their structure shows a lower or a higher stage in an ascending scale of organization. Eor, as the lower families of ^Moths are allied to other orders of insects, tlie further a group recedes from them in structure, the higher is the grade of perfection of tlie Lejiidopterous type which it exhibits. The families show their degree of aflinity to JMotlis by many characters, the jiriiieipal of which is the * The materials on which this memoir is founded were collected l)y the author iluring eleven years' research on the banks of tlic .\niazons. vol-. XXUI. 3 X i^^qb^-fc 196 MR. H. W. BATES ON THE LEPIDOPTERA structure of the anterior legs in the adult state of the insects. The Ueterocera have always six perfect legs : most of the families of Rhopalocera have the anterior pair in a more or less rudimentary condition ; and as the atrophy seems to have reached its furthest stage in the Ilelicontdte, this group must l)c considered as occupying the highest rank in the order. Other characters accompany the one derived from the structure of the legs, which it is unnecessary here to enumerate. It will Ije seen from these remarks that the order Lepidoptera is one of those groups in the Animal Kingdom which show, heyond the many collateral branches of development that always exist, a clear linear advancement of organization. The Seliconidce, Danakl(e, and Acrcekhe are related to each other in a different way from that which appears in the received classifications. A few remarks on their mutual afiinities are necessary, in order to exhil)it the true relations of the IIeHco)iklce to the allied groups of the Old World tropics. It has escaped the notice of all authors, that the Ilelicouklce are composed of two groups, which differ vei*y consideralily in important l)OLiits of structure ; in fact, the majority of the genera of which the family is composed ought to be withdrawn from it, and placed with the Dunaklcc. The very great superficial resemblance between the two sets of genera has led to their being united by all authors, and j^revented inquiry into their real relationship. To avoid innovation, I will retain the family as it stands, and call the group which is allied to the Danaklce, Daxaoid Heli- coNiDiE, and the other, which a})proximates somewhat to the Acrceklce, Acr.eoid Heli- coxiu.^. The Acrajoid groixj) comprehends the genera HeUcoiiius and Etiekles; the Danaoid, the whole of the remaining Uelkonkhe. The following are the tUstinguishing characters of the two groups : — Aci'ccokl HeVieon'ulte. The hind wing-cell is very small, and the nervures are so arranged that the upper and lower radials* (discoidal nervures of Doubleday) appear to be branch and sub-branch of the subcostal nervure, the discocellulars being short and continuous with them ; the costal nerviu-e is prolonged to the apex of the wing. The larvie are similar to those of Acrtea and Argynnis (Ni/iiqjhalkhs), l^eing beset with hispid spines f. The head is bnjad, the palpi thick. DaiKiohl UcViconklcB. The hind wing-cell is very large, and irregular in shape ; the two radials never appear as branches of the subcostal, but are very uncertain in position, owing to the very vacillating length and direction of the discocellulars : the costal nervure is short, and terminates on the costa, not reaching the apex of the wing. The larvte (only one species is known) are smootli, lik(> those of the DaimkJiC, l)ut are furnished with tubercles, instead of long fleshy threads. Head small, orbicular; palpi sli'nder|. * I liavo addpti'd tlu' terminology of Doublcilay (Doiibl., Ilewits., ,iiul WestwooJ's Geiipra of Diurnal Lepidojjtera) with ri'j^ard to the ucuratiou or veining of the wings, excepting that I call the " nervnles " of the subcostal and median neivnres "branches," and the "discoidal nervures" "radials," these alterations appearing necessary to jirevcut the verbal confusion of nervule with nervure, and discoidal with discocellular. f The early states of these insects were not known to Uoubleday. I reared, myself, IlcUronius Eratii (and Doris) and Eucidcs l/ijlna. M'e are aecjuainted, through other sources, with the larvic of //. Mfliximeiic, II. Riciiii, and Mcchtniitis I'lihjninia. X Since the above nuinoir was read, Dr. C. Felder of N'ienna, in an article entitled, "Specimen Faun;u Lc]iidopte- ri'liigiex ri|iarnm Negro snperioris in IJrasilia se|itentrionali," ' Wiener Eutomologische Monatschrift,' March 18G2, OF THE AMAZON VALLKY 497 This view of the affinities of the family will make a great diiference in the conception of the group as regards the affiliation of the forms. Instead of heing a group isolated in its structure, and peculiar to the tro])ical parts of America, it results that the hulk of thi- genera have a very close relationship to the JJanaidce, vhicli are i'ound in all hot countries of hoth hemispheres: the Acucokl llcUconkhe alone are an isolated set of forms. The American productions, however, show a great superiority in structure and in the diversity of the foi-ms over those of the Old AVorld. In Africa only one genus occurs, namely, Da/iais. In the tropical parts of Asia four genera are found, l)esides Danais ; these are Icleopsis, Ilcstia, EitpUea, and llamadryas, which contain together 74 species. In the hot parts of America IG genera (of Danaoid HelicoiiidcB) have heen discovered, comprising 233descrihed species. l?esides this greater diversity of generic and specific forms, the American ])roductions show a much greater advance in organization than those of the Old AVorld ; in other words, they recede further from what may he considered as the common type, namely, J)(i>i<(is. This is clear from the great and progressive modification in the position of the radial nervures and discocellulars of the hind wings, and the advanced stage of atrophy of the male fore legs reached hy most of the genera. In all the Asiatic genera the fore legs are in the same condition as in Ddiiais and the Xi/i/i- phalhhe. The following Tahle Avill show the relative value of the productions of the two liemispheres in a clearer manner. I have placed tlu^ genera in accordance with Avhat seem to he their mutual affinities. The relative length of the lines between them is a rough expression of th(> degree of relationship. The collateral lines of connexion are also attempted to he expressed. Asia. Danais (.'il sji.) is (2 s,..) I Kuplcca ( J8sp.) Ideo]) Ilestia (12s]i.) DANAin*. Africa. Danais (lOsfi.) America. Danais (8 sp.) Dan Ilamadryas (-' sp.) AOTD IlEMCONID-t. Lvcorca (fi sp.) Ituna (3sp.) ■thona (3 sp.) Kutresis (1 s]i.) I Olyras (I sp.) 1 Thvridia (;i s]..) .■ I Dirccinia (S sji.) I I Caliithoniia (.3 sp.) Mc'lin;i>a ( 13 sp.) I Mt'clianilis (17 sp.) Titliorca (7>p.) (iiicludins: .\tln'sis) Ceratiiiia (23 s]).) Sais (\ sp.) Xa|i(ogencs ( 1 7 sp.) Itlioiiiia (107 sji.) I Ilynicnitis (10 sji.) has ventured to withdraw tlie whole of the geiura composing the gronj) Danaoid Jleliconii/a; placing them with the Danai'la-, and restricting the family Iletironiilii- to the two genera lleliconius and luwides. He has discovered an excellent and constant character for the Ihiuaiihc (in wiiicli {Xw Danaoid Ileliconida- jiarticipate), in addition to those already known, namely, the existence of a small neivnle at the base of the fore-wing median nervure which ana- .•5 X '1 498 MR. H. W. BATES ON THE LEPIDOPTERA There is a very wide dissimilarity in minor jioints and in general appearance between the Asiatic set of forms and the American : the only Old World genus which at all apjiroaches the New World group is Hamadryas ; 1)ut the shape, colours, and neuration of the wings show that it has no close affinity with them. The two sets of forms seem to agree, however, in habits, and apparently occupy the same sphere in the economy of nature in their respective countries. Mr. W'allace, who has had the good fortune to observe l)oth in their native al)odes, says, the habits of the South Asian Euploece (the most numerous genus) are precisely those of the Seliconidoi. The Asiatic Danaklce are mostly above the middle size, and include some of the largest Butterflies known ; their American equivalents are in general below the middle size. Both are extremely prolific or abundant in individuals, and are amongst the most characteristic productions of their respective countries. Each set, also, are the objects of numerous mimetic resemblances on the part of other Lepidopterous insects of their own region belonging to different families, — the Asiatic mimickers being modelled after the Asiatic Danakhv, and the American after the American members of the same family. The entire dissimilarity of the two sets of forms would seem to teach us that there can have been no land com- munication east and west between the tropical parts of Asia and America since they first came into existence, and therefore that the great continents must have remained separate in those quarters from a veiy I'emote epoch to allow for such an extensive independent development of forms. They are both strictly confined to the hottest parts of their respective hemispheres. In America they are not found beyond the northern tropic, nor much further south than 30° S. lat. They are not known to occur so far from the eqviator as either tropic in the Old World, but are limited to the south-eastern parts of Asia and the islands of the New Guinea group. The genus Daiiais, with which we have seen both groups are connected, ranges as far north as 41° in Europe, and 45° in North America. It is interesting thus to find that the only genus which is common to the three tropical regions is the sole one of the family that occurs in high latitudes. The only means of communication l)etween the intertropical lands of America and Asia seems to have l)cen a circuitous route l)y the north (or south) ; and the essentially tropical forms do not appear to have passed ahjug it. The fact of the peculiar equatorial Asiatic DaiKiklce not reaching Africa is explicable on tlie same grounds as their entire distinct- ness from the American ones, namely, the nou-existeace of an equatorial eonnexi(jn ol' land of a nature suitable for their transit l)etvveen the two continents since the remote date when the first forms of the group came into l)eing. IMic liabits of the Helicoukhc have l)een described by various travellers, — Lacordaire baviiig given a complete account of the Cayenne species, and Dyson and Gosse some iiit<'i-('stiiig notes on those of Venezuela and Jamaica. The total numl)er of s|)eeies de- sm'ibcd is 2S t, namely, 2',V.i belonging to the Danaoid, and 51 to the AcraH)id group. They ■cies which ])eople a district keep together in one or more compact flocks. 1 noticed in four districts I'ich in Danaoid IIrHconis of Itlio)iiia Ih-w together in one circumscribed area of the forest, and the other half in a second similar locality, tlie rest of the toleral)ly uniform wooded country, in each case, heing nearl\ untenanted hy them. The larger species {Ileliconii, Lijcorcw) frecjuent flowers, prol)ing the nectaries with tiu'ir prol)oscides ; hut the smaller kinds {Itltomuc), and the memlier> ol' the Danaoid group generally, are very rarely fouiul thus occupied: I noticed them sometimes imhihing drops of moisture from leaves and twigs. The line showy Ilcliajiiu often assemble in snuiU parties, or by twos ami threes, apparently to sport together or 500 MR. H. W. BATES ON THE LEPIDOPTERA ))erform a kind of dance. I believe the parties are composed chiefly of males. The sport begins generally between a single pair : they advance, retire, glide right and left in face of each other, wheel ronnd to a considerable distance, again approach, and so on : a third joins in, then a fourth, or more. They never touch : when too many are congregated, a general flutter takes place, and they all fly off", to fall in again by pairs shortly afterwards. The species which I have seen most frequently employed in this way is the Ildicoiiius lilieu, a glossy blue-black species, with In-ight yellow l)elts across its ^\angs. The larva? of the two or three species whose transformations I observed feed together in clusters on the leaves of trees of moderate elevation, near the places where the adult insects are found. The majority of the species have very limited ranges. I was surprised, when travelling on the Upper Amazons from east to Avest, to find the greater part of the species of Ithomicc changed from one locality to another, not further removed than 100 to 200 miles. Por instance, there were 11 of these Ithomice at a place called Fonte Boa, and 9 at St. Paulo, 180 miles distant ; but only two of the total num1)er (20) were found in both localities. This is remarkable when we consider that the whole of the country of the Upper Amazons is a nearly level plain, uniformly covered with forest, and offering no perceptilde diiTerencc in soil or other physical conditions. Five only out of the 20 species have been met with in any other part of Soutli America. The areas of distriliution of most of the remaining 15 m\ist be, in each case, a very limited tract of country. The species which inhal)it other parts of Tropical America must have similarly contracted ranges, if we may judge from the collections received in England from different districts. Now, many of these local species have the appearance of being geographical varieties ; I could not help suspecting them to be such when I met with them in nature, the dif- ferences l)etween the forms of one and those of another locality relating in many cases simply to the colours and colour-patterns of the wings. The marks of distinction, how- ever, are in the majority so well defined, so ordinarily common to all the individuals concerned, and there is so generally an absence of connecting links, that they are held on all hands to be good and true species. Moreover, in those cases already mentioned, where a number of very closely allied species fly together, they keep themselves per- lectly distinct ; there are no hybrid forms (I am s2:)eaking of the Ithomice and allied genera), and on observing individuals hi copula, I almost always * found the pair to l)e pi'ecisely the same in colours and markings. In the multiplicity, apparent distinctness, and restricted ranges of the species, tliis grouji much resembles the fiimily of Humming- birds of the same regions. i believe, nevertheless, that the suspicion of many of the species being nothing nion' tlmn local modilieations of other forms has proved to be well founded. Amongst the great number of ])erfectly distinct and well-marked species, a few occurred which showed great vai'iability : these, I think, afTord a key to the explanation ol" the origin of the rest. The details of variation will be given under the head ol' each species: • Tiic i'\cc]ili(in uas in liii' cusc of Mcr/id/ii/i.s I'o/i/iii/iic/, wlni'li, as will l>i' seen, (in LrlVrriiij; to llu' acrtnuit of it in Its |ilai-c, is a ]iolviiior|iliic s|ii'c'it's, wliosc local vaiii'tics arc in an ini|icrfi"ct state of segregation. OFTllK AMAZON VALLEY. 501 those which sup])lv the most decisive resuUs arc MccltaiiUls Pohiiiniin, Itliomui Oroliiut and nUnissd, CcraUniu yhionUi, and the Lycovece. The varieties of these present all the dillerent c^rades hetwcen simple individual dillerenccs and well-marked local varieties or races, which latter cannot be distint^uished from true species, when two or more of them are found coexisting in the same locality without intercrossing;', as takes place in £lhoinirated in the Itho- mice and allied genera by the strong tendency of the insects, when ])airing, to select none but their exact counter])arts : this also enables a number of very closely allied ones to exist together, (u- the representative forms to live side by side on the confines of theii- areas, without amalgamating. The course followed by Nature in the forniation of these numerous local species, I think, is clearly exhibited in Mcchauitis Folipintui, to the details of which, given in its place, I must beg the reader to refer. AV(! s(>{^ here i\\v manufacture, as it were, in process. The species is widely disseminated and variable. The external conditions in certain localiti(!s are more favourable to one or more of the varieties th(>re existing than to the others; those favoured ones, therefore, prevail over the others. AVe liiid, in this most instructive case, all the stages of the process, from the commencement of th(> forma- tion of a local variety (var. Efja'etisis) to the perfect segregation of one (var. Lijsimnia, considered by all authors as a true species). In this species, most of the local varieties are conui^eted with their parent form by individuals exhibiting all the; shades of varia- tion ; and it is on this account only that we know them to be varieties, in the species allied to Ithoniia Flora, the forms are in a complete state of segregation (with the exce])- tion of /. Illutissa, which throws light on the rest), and therefore they are considered as species ; they are, in fact, perfectly good species, like all other forms considi-red as such in natural histcny. It is only by the study of variable species that we can obtain a clue to the explanation of the rest. But such species must be studied in uatur(\ and with * These arelthomia Flora, an iiiliat)itmit of the wliole Lower .Vmnzon region (from the .\tlaiitie to the Rio Negro), which is represented by /. Hipjifx/amia in Cayenne, and T. 0/ie the resemblance, from * Tlir ;icconi|iiui_viii,;; Tahlc, in which a iiuiiihcr of the most striking of these are arranged in ])arallel cohiinns, will give some idea of the extent (o wliieli tins system of imitation l)revails. OF THE AMAZON VALLEY. 503 • '" 1 rt o ** w" 4 13 -1 1 «= ,c 2 3 '^ 1 :2 ^ >. ' — ' — ' -^ " 1 ■^ --' ■ .2 -* ^ >-- *t* ^' ^ .2 *' .22 «_ .22 S .-' .^ ^ ^ o 'C '^- .- J. 1 ^ 5 •E — =-;=; C C i P! Q s-^ss t^c.; •^ • »■ H 3 3 -o ■3 "x ; a 2 * C ■g << 2" o d ^ .22 •-■ • s • • E, - > • .•§ ^ '"' := • » c ■ » :s ■ 3 •- ■f. ^ 1 c3 . .s c Jl * a ■i 1 1 * 5 "^ ! f^ "a II "v_^ir ' ■¥ '^ * jjt ■ s * 2 ■ ? •CO :-^ a 3 * . c- .• o c 0 H . *' « g * ^ * rq .. r^ *:, r= »' § ■r — 'n ■^ H '— c^ C <:4-( •■2 t« -2 Ih 2 rH ,^ •^.C"* 1 7 - = "? 1 g ^ '^. p "t r: .• o .• c :o ■ la '"' '"c — 2 tc 5 2 __r . t 4 it " [^ ^ K ^ ►3 ^ P5 ~ -< ~ K X • < i Jj s ■■2. Jl J-i ^ hi h-i h4 'i-j h4 h4 ,- >-: a ' ^ i * . * . : 0+ 0+ •r ' ^ ^ ^ X ' 3 r™'^— ■ Or •= tc "c ! '^ 0 t. 5 N : • >, ,> c __ .=" ;-^ ■ J? ■ N ■^ c ^ "" 'H^ a «" •Cm" ■ ^ lJ f-" — ^ ^ ^ .::; r^ ^ cs < < * : i. *' 2 1 J *-^ '? rS S "2 g s *' cj ; 2.^ 'S ,^ H 3 — . ^ ^ . 2 T- . ". • . EH W iq 3 III III 1 f J i l-i .3 _d o 3 ;> CJ ., "E Cj C ^ x';- < ^ n: I< pL; — » ^ 'o "-^ ^ K* J; t^ _; _■ »j »^ !_; ^ ^ w 3 ^ ass hr* "'"'"'"' * : *' .5 * » g ■ .2 • s '"§ i^ rt ^ J *' : J • 5 6 "^ 'H * -1,2 ^ Sh 2 . k ■ki 1 c fS^ g ~ 2 H 3 i'C • 5 ti ^ F = C o = 3 2 B.^ ■ 3 1 .2 E -3 ^'1 tc <5 ?c"H. • r 1 :h 1 1 kJI^.-" ^ Sf.2 '« g >'< '2 ^ .2 S ^ • 1 IJ i. 1 i J 1 J 1 =2 ^ ::^ S:^. i'f |.| I's C •i 1 li Ill lllllJ 1^ 2 o ;,^c-(i:fc:cI/£ ■— '-■ -" ^ ^ C <^ >-:tS^^^z^ 1 VOL. XXIII. 3 Y 504 MR. H. W. BATES ON THE LEPIDOPTERA the normal facics of the genus or family to which they severally belong*. The re- semblance is so close, that it is only after long practice that the true can be distinguished from the counterfeit, when on the wing in their native forests. I was never able to distinguish the LcptaUdcs from the si^ecies they imitated, although they belong to a family totally different in structure and metamorphosis from the IIeIiconi(hv, without examining them closely after capture. They fly in the same parts of the forest, and generally in company with the species they mimic. I have already given an account of the local modifications to which the Reliconidce are subject. It is a most curious circumstance, that corresponding races or species of coimter- feiting groups accompany these local forms. In some cases I found proof that such species are modified from place to place to suit the peculiar forms of Helicon id cv there stationed. As this is an important point, and one which throws light on the origin of mimetic species, I must ask the reader's careful attention to the details, referring to the plates. Plate LV. fig. 1« {Ithoiiiia Flora) and fig. 1 {Lcptalis Theoiwe) represent a HeUconide and its imitator, both of which inhabit the banks of the Cupari, a river belonging to the Amazon system, in 55' W. long. Neither of these is found on the Upper Amazons (60° to 70° W. long.), where I made the remaining part of my observations on these insects. At Ega, on tliis u})per river, in 65° W. long., two species of Hhoniia occurred, which I consider to be local varieties or races of I. Flora, namely, /. Onega (PL LV. fig. 2 a) and /. Illinissa (PL LV. fig. Qa). It is immaterial to the question in hand whether thes^^ be considered alisolutely distinct species or races ; the Jjeptalis whicli was found in their company was the form called L. Lijsinoii (PL LV. fig. 3), with its ad- mitted varieties (figs, l, 5, 6, and 8). Only one of these varieties of Leijtalis mimics an Ilhomia; this is our fig. 6, which evidently counterfeits Ilhoinia Illinissa (fig. 6<^). The prevailing form of Leptalis, the L. Ijijainoe (fig. 3), has no resemblance to any Tthoniia of Ega, but is, when Hying, a wonderful imitation of the Slalac/ifis Dnralii (PL LV. fig. 3^/), a common insect belonging to a genus (iamily Eri/cinidcv) equally flourishing and abundant in individuals with the meni])ers of the iamily Helicon idee. I think there will be no doul)t in the mind of any one that the Ega Leptalides are local varieties of the Cu2)ari L. Theonoe (fig. 1), when all the connecting links between them are studied in the figures given on our two i)lates. It is liighly proljable, therefore, that this species has been by some means modified with esjjecial reference to the changed Ithoinia;, or other insects, of the locality. The varieties, llgs. l, 5, and 8, were excessively rare : they have the appearaiu-t' of sports, and show how variable the species has been in t his district. The same takes place at St. I'aulo, in 09° AV. long. Here we iind the Ilhoniiw again changed. Neither Die /. ], PL LVI. being /.. Xc/icii/in, a species exhibitiiig (lie usual form of the family Pifrida; to which the genus Lppta/ix belongs ; whilst all tiie other Leptalides figured are mimetic species, totally unlike, as far as facics is concerned, this normal form. OF THE AMAZON VALLEY. 505 Ithoiilio of tlic locality bciiiii' thus clKm^-cd, how stands it with the Lc}j/«i/i(k's? Tht'v are chaiiLjed also, and ai^'aiu with close rclcrcnce to the Jthoinid'. i found a number of different varieties, wliich I could not doubt were local forms of the same species as that found on the Cupari and at Ega. Thus, there was one" (I'l. LV. lig. 2) closely resemltling L. T/ieoiioe {tiii. 1), but moditied to produce a nearer imitation of the Itltoitiia Onega (PL LV. fii?. 2r/), which 1 believe to be a localform of /. i•7o/v^ Another (PI. LVI. fiif. 3) resembled UhoiuUi (JhrijHodoii'ni (PL LVI. lii^. 3 pale spot near the tips of the wings; an apjjroximation to this is seen in the variety figured PL L\'. iig. '.), wliich is an undoubted modification of L. Lii.s'n/oi' (PL L\'. fig. .'5). The remarkable variety figured PL L\'. Iig. !■ has been described by the only author who has treated on these insects (Mr. llewitson) as a variety of L. Lf/s/t/oe. In a polymorphic form, like this L('pt((lifi, none of the varieties can be taken from the rest ami denominated species, (using the term as meaniiu;' foi-ms which cannot have descended from other closely allied ones), without exercising the art of species-making in the most arbitrary manner. Loi' if we allow so gr(>at a latitude to variation as that from ligs. ,'{ to 1, .">, (i, 7, S, and \), PI. L\ .. how can we vent ure to say that nat ural modification, having gone so far. was incompetent to go further, so as to ])roduce ligs. I and O, i'l. L\'l., and that those forms must have arisen by .some unknown agency? It is true, they ha\(- not arisen I)y simple variation, or sporla, in one generation, but, as we shall ])resently see, by an I'xternal agency accumulating the nu)diiications of many generations in two diverging directions. As 3 v 2 506 MR. H. W. BATES ON THE LEPIDOPTERA the connecting links have not all been found, they may be called species : the word is of little importance. The habits of all are the same. When I had collected only two or three of the most distinct, I considered them separate species ; but intermediate forms successively occurred, every capture tending to link the whole more closely together. The explanation that the whole arc the result of hybridization from a few origmally distinct species cannot at all apply in this case, liecause tlie distinct forms whose inter- crossing would be required to produce the hybrids are contined to districts situated many hundred miles apart. None of these LcptaUdcs have been found in any other district or country than those inhabited by the Ithomtic which they counterfeit. A species very closely allied to L. Lysinoi', var. sirgochloe (PL LVI. fig. 6), has been received from Mexico {L. Anthevlze) ; but an Ithomia, of nearly the same colours (J. Nero) also inhabits Mexico. Many other species oi Leptalis, of much larger size than the one here discussed, also immic IleliconklcB, the objects of unitation not being ItJiom'uc, but other genera of the family. Two of these are figured on PL LVI. L. Orisc (PL LVI. fig. 8) is a remarkably exact counterfeit of Methona Ps'kJ'u (fig. 8 c/), the resemljlance being carried to minutite, such as the colour of the antenufc and the spotting of the abdomen. L. Aiiipliio)ie, var. E(j(iena (PL LVI. fig. 7), is very curious, as being a satellite oi Jlccl/aiufis Polijmnla, var. Egacitsls (fig. 7 (t), l)oth peculiar to the district of Ega, — the typical L. ^Imphioiic being found at Surinam, in com2)any with the typical 31. Foli/iiniia, which it resembles — local varieties or sister species of Leptalis Amp)hione accompanying local varieties of ILcchuititis Polymnia in other parts of tropical America. Several species oi Dioptis, a genus of Moths, and Ilhonieis, a genus of Enjcinkhe, also ac(;onipany these species or distinct local forms of Itlioinia. A few of the Moths are figured on PL LV. tigs. 10, 11, 12, 13. The imitations may not a2)pear very exact from the figures ; l)ut when the insects are seen on the mng in tlieir native woods, they de- ceive the most experienced eye. A similar series of mimetic analogies occurs in the Old World, between the Asiatic and African Dana idee, or representatives of the Uel/conulce, and species of other families of Butterflies and jMotlis. No instance is known in these families of a tropical S])ecies of one hemis])here counterfeiting a fcnin belonging to the otlier. A most remarkable case of niimicry has been recorded by Mr. Trimen* in a Eajtilio of Soutliern Africa, JP. Cenea, whose male wears to deception tlie livery of one S2)ecies of Danals, namely, I). Eeherla, wliilst ilie female resembles a quite dilfei'ent one, J). ChrijsippHS, — both African. IVIimetic analogies, however, are not confined to llie Lepidoptera ; most cn-ders of insects supply them ; liut they are displayed only by certain iamilies. ]\I;uiy instances are known whci-e ])arasitic Bees and two-winged Flies mimic in dress various industrious or nest- ])uihling Bees, at whose ex])ense they live in the manner of the Cuckoo. I finmd on the banks ol" the Amazons many of these Cuckoo Bees and Plies, which all wore the livery of working ]5rcs jjceuliar to tlic country. Tln^ instances of this kind of analogy most familiar to l]uro])ean entomologists are those of the European species of Trocliilini)i (a genus of Moths), which strangely mimic various * ' lUiopaluccra Ai'ric;i; Austl■illi^,' ji. -\. Cajit' Town. OF Tin: AMAZON VALLEY. 507 Bees, Wasps, and other ITymenoptorous aiul Di{)torous insects. Tlie parallelism In'twcen these several iornis and their geoii:ra])hical relations have not yet, 1 helieve, lieen inves- tigated. The resunihlanees seem to l)t' more closely spccilic in tropical countries than in Europe ; and I think it likely that the counterfeits in hi^h latitudes may not always he found in company with their models, it is possil)le the i;'eot;raphical relations hetween the species coiu-erned may have; l)een disturhed hylhe ureat elimatal and L^'eoloi^ical ehaiiii'es which have occurred in this ])art of the worhl since the dale when they tlrst came into existence. Not only, however, are Ilellcouida; the ohjects selected for imitation; some of them are themselves the imitators ; in other words, they countin-feit eacii other, and this to a considerahle extent. S])ecies l)(dom;-imc to distinct i^enera have hcen confounded, owinu' to their heini,' almost identical in colours and markings; in fact, many of them can scarcidy he distinguished except hy tlunr generic characters. It is a most strange cir- cums1anci> connected with tliis family, that its two sections, or suhfamilies, have heen miiiii'led together hy all authoi's, owiiii;' to the very (dose reseml)lance of many of their species. Analogies hetween the two sLd)raniilies have heen mistaken for alllnities. It is sometimes dillicult to understand in these cases which is the imitator and wliicdi the imitated. We have, however, generally a sure t(\st in the one set cxhiliitinu' a departure from tlie normal style of colouring of tlieir congeners, whilst tiie other are conlorniahle to tlieir generic types. The species o[' Xtqteorjencs are, hy this criterion, evidently all imitators of Itliom'ue; they are also rare insects, like the Lcphdidcs. The mimetic species of ndicoiiins must h(>, for the same r(>as(Hi, imitators. These imitative resemhlances, of which hundreds of instances could he cited, are full of interest, and fill us with the greater astonishment the (doser we investigate them ; for sonie show a minute and palpahly intentional likeness wiii(di is perfectly staggering. I have found that those features of the portrait are most attended to hy nature whicdi pro- duce the most elfective deccj)ti(jn when the insects ar(> seen in nature. The faithfulness of the resemhlance, in many cases, is not so striking Avlu'u they are seen in the cahinet. Although I had daily practice in insect -collecting for many years, ami was always on my guard, T was constantly heing deceived hy them when in the woods, it may he asked, why are mimetic analogies so numerous and amazingly exact in insects, whilst so )"are and vague in tin* higlier animals*? The oidy answer that F can suggest is, tiial insects have ])erhaps attained a highei' den'ree of specialization, after their type. than most other chisses : tiiis seems to he shown hy the jierfection of their adai)ti\(' structures and instincts. Their heing more numerous and striking in trojiieal thrmin temj)erate countries is perhaps attril)utahle to the more active com])etitive lile, and the more ra])id successicm of their gen(>rations, in hot than in cold c()untries. It is not dillicult to di\iue the nieauing or final cause of these analogies. 'When we * Two instances of mimicry in hirds, ([uitc as wonderful as those hetween l^fpfa/is anil Ithomia, have just heen communicated to me by mj' old travellinf; companion, Mr. A. 11. Wallace. He has o1)served two species of ()riu/ii/cc (perverted from the normal facies of the family) attendant on two spci'ies o( Me/iji/iiii/u/a', and miinickin;; them in the most curiously minute way in colours ami in general figure. The associated pairs inhabit sej)arale islands, as t'ollows : — — L Bourou, Mimetii (Oriolidw) Buuro'cn^in, Trojiiilorliynchus (Mc/iji/iai/idd-), n.^). ; I. Ci'vain, Mi me la Forslini, Tropidurhijnchus suhcarinatus. 508 MR. H. W. BATES ON THE LEPIDOPTERA see a species of Moth wliicli frequents flowers in the daytime wearing the appearance of a Wasp, we feel compelled to infer that the imitation is intended to protect the other- wise defenceless insect by deceiving insectivorous animals, which persecute the Moth, l)ut avoid the Wasp. May not the Heliconide dress serve the same purpose to the Lepfalis ? Is it not })roha1)le, seeing the excessive ahundance of the one species and the fewaiess of individuals of the other, that the Heliconide is free from the persecution to which the Leptalis is subjected ? T think it clear that the mutual resemblance in this and other cases cannot be entirely due to similarity of habits or the coincident adaptation of the two analogues to similar physical conditions. This is a very al)struse part of our subject ; for I think the facts of similar variation in two already nearly allied forms do sometimes show that they have l)een atfected in a similar way by physical conditions. A great number of insects are modified in one direcrtion by a seaside habitat. I found, also, tlie general colours of many widely different s])ecies affected in a uniform way in the interior of the South American continent. But tliis does not produce the specific imitation of one species by another; it only prepares the way for it. It is perha})s true that the causes (to lie discussed presently) which produce a close or mimetic analogy cannot operate on forms whicli have not already a general resemblance, owing to similarity of habits, external conditions, or accidental coincidence. Species or groups which have this kiiul of resem1)lance to each otlier have been called by Dr. Col- lingwood recurrent animal forms. The English Bee-Moths owe the narrow and pointed shapes of their wings, which already approximate them to Bees, to their blood-relationship to the Hawk-Moth family. Their Bee-like size, form, and llight doubtless arise from tlieir Bee-like habits. A close specific analogy l)etween any one of these and a Bee, such as exists between the insects discussed in this memoir, could scarcely be due to an accidental resemlilance like that between the Hawk-Motli and a Bee, or to similarity of Imliits. It would mean an adai)tation of the Moth with especial reference to the Bee. I believe, therefore, th;it tlie specific mimetic analogies exhil)ited in connexion with the IL'Hc(i)ii(hc are adaptations — -phenomena of precisely tlie same nature as those in which insects and other l)eings are assimilated in superficial appearance to the vegetaiile or inorganic substance on which, or amongst which, they live. The likeness of a Beetle or ;i Lizard to the bark of the tree on which it crawls cannot l)e explained as an identical rcsidt jtroduced l)y a coinmoii cause acting on the tree and the animal. Some of tlie imitations I»y insects of inanimate and living objects are very singular, and may be nunitioned in this place. Many caterpillars of Moths, but sometimes the (•as(^s only which are manufactured and inhabited by the caterpillars, have a most deceptive likeness to (h'y (wigs and other objects. Motlis themselves very frequently resenilde tlie l>aik on wliicli they are found, or Iiave wings coloured and veined like tlie fallen le;i\cs on wiiicli they lie motionless. The accidental general resemblance lietween the shaj)e of Moths' wings and leaves lier(> gives nature the ground-work Cor much mimetic analogy. It has been ])ointed out by liossler * that tlu; Buff-til) Motli, when at rest, is intended to represent a broken piece of lichen-covered branch, ■' In iui article on rcNciuhlaiiccs l)(t\vccii insects ami M.'gctabk' substances (Wiener Entoniol. Monatschrift, 1861, OF THE AMAZON VALLEY. 509 — the coloured tips ol' tlu'se uiiii;s, wlicu they are closed, rescmblini,' a section of the wood. Other Moths are dccei)ti\ cly like ihe excrement of hirds on leaves. I met with a species of Phytophaii'ous JJcctle {CliUnvijs jjiliiln) on ihe Amazons, whicli was undistini::uishal)le ])y the eye from the duni>- of Cater])illars on foliage These two lat1(>r cases of imitation siionld he can^fully considered l)y those wlio would he in- (dined to think that the ohject of mimetic analogies in nature was sim))ly variety, ])eauty, or ornament: nevertlieh>ss these are certainly attendants on the ))iieii()meiia ; some South-American CassUhe resemhle i!,ditterini^ drops of (h'w on the tips of leaves, owinij^ to their hurnished ])early i^old colour. Some species of lion^icorn Coleoptera {Onychoccni.s Scorpio and roiicciiiriciis) have ])recisely the colour and sculpture of the bark of the particular s])ecies of tree on which eacii is fou)ul. It is remarkahle that other species of the same small i;rou]) of LoiK/ifOinics {PlKU'clloccvd liutinctJl, t'lj- clopcpliis Balcs'ii) counterfeit, not inanimate ol)jects, like their near kindred just cited, hut other insects, in the same way as the LrptaVnlcs do tlie JTrUcoiinlce. AuKUiii'st the living- objects mimicked by insects are the pr(*dacious species from wliicli it is the int(n-est of the mimickers to l)e concealed. Thus, the species of Scdphnra (a s;eiuis of Crickets) in South America resemble in a wonderful manner dilU'reiit Sand AVasps of lar^e size, whicdi are constantly on the searcdi for Crickets to provision their nests with. Another pretty Cricket, which 1 obs(>i-ved, was a ii'ood imitation of a '['iiivr licet le*, and was always found on trees frequented by the J5eetles {OdoiilocIieiLc). There arc endless instances of ])re(hicious insects l)eint;' disL;iiise(l I)y havinu' similar sha))es and colours to those of their ])rey ; many Spiders are thus endowed: hut some huntini>' Spiders mimic llower-buds, and station themselves motionless in the axils of leaves and other ])arts of ])lants to wait for their victims. The most extraordinary instance of imitation I c\i'r met with was that of a very lar^^e Caterpillar, which stretched itscdf from amidst the foliaue of a tree which 1 was one day oxamininii', and startled me by its resemblance to a small Snake. Tlielirst three scii'ments behind the head wvvc dihitable at the will of the insect, and had on each side a lirii:e black ])upillated sjjot, whiidi resembled the ey(> of the reptile : it was a ])ois()nous orvi])(>rine species mimicked, and not an innocuous or colubi'ine Snake ; this was proNcd l)y the imitation of keeled scales (m the crown, which was jjroduced by the recund)ent feet, as th(! Caterpillar threw its(df backwards. The llev. Josejih (Jreenc, to whom 1 liavc a description, supposes 1li(> insect to have bcloni;-e(l to tlie family X(>tnil(>ii[i(hr, many of which have the habit of thus beiulin^' themselves. 1 carried oil' the Caterpillar, and alarmed every one in the villanc where 1 was then living', to whom I slunvcil it. It unfortunately died befoi'c I'cachinn' the adult state. J). XdA). Tlie author eiiunu'ratcs many very singular cases of niiniiery ; ho also states his hclief that the niiiniery is intended to protect the insects from their enemies. There is an interesting; note, by the Rev. Jose])h (Ireenc, in the 'Zoologist,' IS.'id, p. :'i07.'J, on the autumn and winter Moths of England, wliosc colours are shown hy the author to be adapted to the ])revailing tints of nature in the season in which the species Rpi)ear. * A remarkal)lc instance of deceptive analogy relating to a Cricket and a s|ieeies (jf C/cini/cln is docribed by West- wood in Trans. Lin. Soe. vol. xviii. p. 119. In this memoir, Mr. Westwood has enumerated many curious eases ol mimetic analogy. 510 MR. H. W. BATES ON THE LEPIDOPTERA I think it will be conceded that all these various kinds of imitative resemblances belong to the same class of phenomena, and are subject to the same explanation. The fact of one species mimicking an inanimate object, and another of an allied genus a living insect of another family, sufficiently proves this. I do not see how they differ from the adaptations of organs or instincts to the functions or objects they relate to. All are ada])tations, either of the whole outward dress or of special parts, having in view the welfare of the creatures that possess them. Every species in nature may be looked upon as maintaining its existence by virtue of some endowment enabling it to withstand the host of adverse circumstances by which it is suri'ounded. The means are of endless diversity. Some are jirovided with special organs of offence, others have passive means of holding their own in the battle of life. Great fecundity is generally of much avail, added to capabilities, active or passive, of widr dispersion ; so that when the species is extirpated in one part of its area of distribu- tion, llie place is refilled by migration of individuals from another part. A great number ha\ (• mt'ans of concealment from their enemies, of (me sort or other. Many are enal)led to escape extermination, or o1)tain subsistence, by disguises of various kinds : amongst these must ])e reckoned the adaptive resemlilance of an otherwise defenceless species to one Avhose flourishing race shows that it enjoys 2)eculiar advantages. "What advantages the Rel'icnnhhe possess to make them so flourishing a group, and consequently the objects of so much mimetic reseml)lance, it is not easy to discover. There is nothing ajjpareiit in their structure or habits which could render them safe from persecution l)y the numerous insectivorous animals which are constantly on the \\'atch in the same parts of the forest which they inhabit. It is probable they are un- jinlatable to insect enemies. Some of them {Liicorea, Ituna) have exsertible glands near the tiiuis, which are protruded when the insects are roughly handled ; it is well known that similar organs in other families [Carahidce, Slcq^Iii/liuidu') secrete fetid liquids or gases, :ni(l serve as a protection to the species. I have noticed also that recently killed speci- minis of Danaoid Ilellcoi/ida; when set out to dry, were always less subject than other insects to 1)e devoured by vermin. They have all a peculiar smell*. I never saw the flocks of slow-flying HeUroiiidcc in the woods jiersecuted by liirds or Dragon-flies, to w liicli they would have been easy prey ; nor, when at rest on leaves, did tliey appear to l)e molested l)y Lizards or the predacious Flies of the family Asiliihr, wliicli were very ofieii seen pouncing on ]3utterflies of other families. If they owe their flourishing ex- islciice to this cause, it would be intelligible why the Leptalidte, whose scanty number of individuals reveals a less protected condition, should Ik- disguised in their dress, and lliiis share their imm\mity. This explanation, liowever, would not apply to the imitation of Danaoid JL-rtcoiiidcc 1)V ollici- species of the same subfamily. IMoreover, there are several genera of otlier groups {<•. //., Ilclico/ntfti, Piipilio) which contain mimetic species side l)y side with species tiiat are the objects of mimicry by mcmliers of other families, as w ill lie seen by reference to the Table at p. .50;^. There is lU) reason to coiu-lude that some of these possess the peculiar means of dereiice of the Danaoid Ili'licoi/idd', vvliilsl tlu-i]' near kindred are de- ♦ .Mr. W'allncf tells me the Ei(p!a'tP of tlie Eastern .Vrcliiiielago have also this iieculiar smell. OF THE AMAZON VALLKY. 511 privecl of them. It is not unreasonal)lo to suppose that some species are taken l)v in- sectivorous animals, Avhilst otliers tlyiuii,- in company Avith them arc avoided. 1 (;ould not, from their excessive scarcity, ascertain on the spot that the Lcptulides were thus picked out. I noticed, liowever, that other i^enera of tlunr family {Pieri(hi') were mucli persecuted. AVe have proof, in the case of Sand-AVasj)s, whicii ))rovision their nests with insects, that a single species is very I'rnerally selected ont of numhcrs, even of the same yenus, existing in the same locality. 1 was quite convinced in the c-ase of Ccrccria binodis of South America, which destroys numbers oi a ^legalostoui is {hxmWy Cli/lhridcr), that the great rarity of the ]5eetle was owing to its serving as prey to the Ccrccrin. A\'e cannot point out all the conditions of life of each species concerned in these mimetic analogies. All tliat we can say is, that some species show, hy their great abundanci; in the adult state, that during this period, before they propagate their kind, they enjov bv some means imnumity from eif(>ctive persecution, ami that it is tlu'refore an advantage to others 7iot so fortunate, and otherwise unprovided for, if they are so like as to be mistaken for them. The 2:)rocess by which a mimetic analogy is l)rouglit about in nature is a prol)leTn which involves that of the origin of all species and all adaptations. What I have pre- viously said rc'garding the variation of species, and the segr{!gation of local rac-es from variations, the change of species of Heliconidce from one locality to another, and the probable vital necessity of their counterfeits which accompany them keeping to the exact imitation in each locality, has prepared the way to the explanation I have to give. In the eases of local variation of the Ilclicoiiidci', there was nothing, as before remarked, very apparent in the conditions of the localities to show why one or more of the varieties should prevail in each over their kindred varieties. There was nothing to show plainly that any cause of the formation of local varieties existed, other than tlie direct action of physical coiulitions on the iiulividuals, altiiough this might be seen to be clearlv incom- petent to exj)lain the oceurrenc(> (jf several varieties of tiie same species in one locality. "VVe could only conclude, from the way in which the varieties occur in nature, as described in the case of JlcrhiniUis Pohniinid, that the local conditions favoured the increase of one or more varieties in a district at the expense of the others — the selected ones being diflerent in different districts. "What these conditions were, or have been, was not revealed by the facts. AA'ith the mimetic species Lcplalis Theono'e the case is different. "We sec here a similar segregation of local forms to tliat of Mechanitis Foli/intiia ; l)ut we believe w(.' know the conditions of life of the species, and find that they vary from one locality to another. The existence of the species, in each locality, is seen to depend on its form and colours, or drcsti, being assimilated to those of the I//io)tii(C of the same district, Mhich Ithoiii'uc are changed from place to place, such assimilation being apparently its only means of escai)ing extermination by insectivorous animals. Thus we havc> here the reason why local races are formed out of the natural variations of a species: the (piestion then remains, how is this brought al)out !- The explanation of this seems to be (piit(> clear on the theory of natural selection, as recently expounded l)y Mr. Darw in in the ' Origin of Species.' The local varieties or races cannot be supposed to have been formed by the direct action of physical conditions VOL. xxiii. 3 z 512 MR. II. W. BATES ON THE LEPIDOPTETA on the individuals, because, in limited districts where these conditions are the same, the most widely contrasted varieties are found existing together, and it is inexplicable how they could have produced the nice adaptations which these diverse varieties exhibit. All the varieties figured on PL LV. figs. 2, 7, 9, and on PL LVI. figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, are found at St. Paulo, within a mile of each other, in the same humid forest. Neither can these adapted races, as before remarked, have originated in one generation by sports or a single act of variation in each case. It is clear, therefore, that some other active prin- ciple must be here at work to draw out, as it were, steadily in certain directions the suitable variations which arise, generation after generation, until forms have resulted which, like our races of Leptalls Theonoe, are considerably diff'erent from their parent as well as their sister forms. This principle can be no other than natural selection, the selecting agents being insectivorous animals, which gradually destroy those sports or varietias that are not sufficiently like Ithom'ue to deceive them. It would seem as though our Leptalls naturally produced simple varieties of a nature to resemble Ithoin'uB ; it is not always so, as is proved by many of them figured in the places above quoted. There is some general resemblance, it is true ; and this is not purely accidental ; for it is quite natural that the parent Leptalls should produce offspring varying in the direction of Ithoiiihv, being itself similar to an Ithomla, and having inherited the pro- perty of varying in this manner through a long Hue of ancestors. We cannot ascertain, in this case, whether changed physical conditions have had any effect, quantitative or qualitative, on the variability of the species after migrating to a new district. At any rate, the existing varieties of our Leptalls show that the variations of Leptalls and Ithomla are not quite coincident, and that the agency of natural selection is required to l>ring the slowly forming race of one to resemldc the other. I do not forget that at each step of selection the forms of Leptalls must have had sufficient resemblance to an Itho- III I is ])rrl'c'ct (I'l. J^V. i'lL;'. 1) ; :iiul this is tlic only lorm of tlie Lcpldlis kuowu in tlic locality. The varieties lij^ured J'l. L\l. iius. 1, 2, ;>, show different degrees of resemblance to Uhom'm Clirysodoitid (fii;'. 3 o) ; these, therefore, exhibit the selection in process. Thus, althoug'li we are unable to watch the ])rocess of formation of a new race as it occurs in time, we can see it, as it were, at one glance, by tracing the changes a species is simultaneously undergoing in dillerent parts of the ai'ca of its distribution. The fact of oyeof the forms of Lep/c/is Theonoi;, namely Jj. Liisinov, mimicking at Ega, not an Illiomia, but a llourishing species of another (piite distinct family {Slalaclitis Diivalii), shows that the object of the mimetic tendencies (jf the species is simply dis- guise, and that, the simple individual diU'erences in that kjcality being originally in the direction, not of an Itliomia, but of another object eciually wcdl answering the purpose, selection operated in the direction of that other object. This point is well illustrated by the species of a small group of Longicorn Beetles already cited, some of which mimic a piece of bark, and others in.sects of another family— and l)y hunting Spidi-rs, many of which wear the form of insects, and many that of inanimate objects amongst which they seek their prey. When the persecution of a varialde local form of our LepUtUs is close or long con- tinu(xl, the indeterminate variations naturally become extinct; nothing then remains in that locality l)ut the one exact counterfeit, whose exactness, it must lie added, is hence- forward kept up to the mark by the insect pairing necessarily with its exact counterpart, or breeding /;/ (nid in. This is the condition of LcptdHs Theonoi' (i'l. LV. tig. 1) in its district ; and it is the condition of all those numerous species of dillerent orders which now appear fixed and distinct. "When (as happens at St. Paulo, where a greater abund- ance of individuals and species, both of lliioinia and LcplaliH, exists than in the locality of the last-named) many species have been in course of formation out of the varieties of one only, occasional intercrossing may have taken ])lace ; this would retard the jiroccss of segregation of tlH> sjieeies, and, in fact, aid in producing the state of things (varieties ami half-form(>d species) which I have already described as there existing. In what way our Lfjildli-s originally acMpiired the general foi'in ami coloui's of ////owm' 1 must leave undiscussed. AVe may comdude (if we are to reason at all from existing facts) that, as the antecedent forms of our races of Lcfifdlis which are still undergoing (diange were themselves similai- to Uhoutia', the form has been inherited through a long line of ancestors, which have been more or less subjected to similar conditions. The instance of one of oui- forms leaving the Illiomia' to mimic a species of another family may show us how a new line of mimetii- analogy and gradual modil'ication may have been originally opened. Such, 1 conceive, is the oidy way in \\hich the origin oi' minu'tic speei(-s can be ex- f)lained. I bcdieve the case offers a most Ixnuitiful ])i'oof of the truth of the theory of natural selection. It also shows that a lU'W a(Ia])lation, or the fornuit ion of a new species, is not elleeted by i;'i-eat and sudden change, but by nuincrous small sle])>. of natural variation ami selection. Some (jf the nuitual resemblances ol' the //^'//ro/z/'Ar already mentioned seem not to be due to the adaj:)tation of the one to the ot her, but rather, as they :•. z -1 514. MR. H. W. BATES ON THE LEPIDOPTERA have a real affinity, the genera to which they belong being throughout very similar in colours and markings, and all equally flourishing, to the similar adaptation of all to the same local, probably inorganic, conditions. The selecting agent, which acts in each locality by destroying the variations unsuitable to the locality, would not in these cases be the same as in Leptalis ; it may act, for anything we know, on the larvaB ; in other respects, however, the same law of nature appears, namely, the selection of one or more distinct varieties by the elimination of intermediate gradations *. The conditions of life of these creatures are different in each locality where one or more separate local forms prevail, and those conditions are the selecting agents. With regard to the Leptalides, I believe we maybe said to know these conditions. To exist at all in a given locality, our Leptalis Theonoe must wear a certain dress, and those of its varieties which do not come up to the mark are rigidly sacrificed. Our three sets of Leptalides may be compared to a varial^le flowering plant in the hands of a number of floriculturists, whose aims are dif- ferent, each requiring a different colour of flower, and attaining his end by " roguing" or destroying all variations which depart from the standard. It may be remarked that a mimetic species need not always be a rare one, although this is very generally the case ; it may be highly prolific, or its persecution may be in- termitted when the disguise is complete. The operation of selecting agents, gradually and steadily bringing about the deceptive resemblance of a species to some other definite object, produces the impression of there being some innate principle in species which causes an advance of organization in a special direction. It seems as though the pi-oper variation always arose in the species, and the mimicry were a predestined goal. This suggested the only other explanations that I have heard of, namely, that there may be an innate tendency in the organization to become modified in a given direction — or that the parent insect, being powerfully affected by the desire of concealment from the enemies of its race, may transmit pecu- liarities to its offspring that help it to become modified, and thus, in the course of many generations, the species becomes gradually assimilated to other forms or objects. On examination, however, these explanations are found to be untenable, and the appear- ances which suggest them illusory. Those who earnestly desire a rational explanation, must, I think, arrive at the conclusion that these apparently miraculous, l)ut always • Some of tlie close rcsfiiiljlanccs amongst the Heliconkhc tlieniselves seem to be kept up by tlieir varying in a precisely similar way- There is a very singular instance in three species of three different genera, Meliiuca, Mecha- nitis (Mothone), and Ih/iconius, which are all, in East Peru, orange and black in colour, and in New Granada orange, black, and yellow. This seems to be a case of coincident, simple variation ; for if three forms are quite alike in colours, it is conceivable that they may vary alike when placed under new conditions by migration. Our Lepta- lides have been shown not to vary precisely like their models ; and therefore the case just quoted does not throw any difficulty in the way of the exj)lanation I have given ; but it is a very extraordinary one. I have not thought it necessary to mention cases of close resemblances in insects which are only accidental, or which are explicable by the blood- relationship or affinity existing between the species which display them. Some orders of insects contain an almost infinite variety of forms, and it will not be wonderful, therefore, if species here and there he found to resemble each other, although inhabiting opposite parts of the earth, and belonging to widely different families. Such analogies are accidental, and can have nothing at all to do with the evidently intentional system of resemblances, carried on from place to place, which I have discussed. Some cosmopolitan families present very similar s])ecics in all j)nrts of tiu- earth ; it can scarcely be necessary to say that close resemblances between New and OKI World forms in these rases are resembLiuccs of affinitv, and not mimetic analogies. OF THE AMAZON VALLKY. 515 beautiful and wonderful, mimetic reseml)lan('es, and therefore probably every other kind of adaptation in beings, are brought about by agencies similar to those we have here discussed. IIELICONID/E. I have mentioned, in a note at p. 496, that I should follow the example of Dr. Felder in separating the Danaoid Ileliconida; from the remainder of the family, and com- l)ining them with the Danaldce. I shall, however, consider these groups as sub- families, instead of families. The modifications in tlie classification thus introduced will be seen by the following synopsis of the section llhoi)alocera. Order LEPIDOPrEllA. Section Rhopalocera. Family 1. Hesperid.*;. Six perfect legs in rf $ ; hind tibiae, with few exceptions, having; two pair of spurs. Larva inhabiting a rolled-up leaf; pu[)a secured by many tlireads, or enclosed in a slijrht cocoon. (These characters approximate the family to the Moths, or Ilctcrocera). Family 2. Papilionid.e. Six perfect legs in S ?. Wing-cells (at least, of the hind wings) closed hy perfect tubular nervules. Hind tibi;o with one pair of spurs. Pupa secured by the tail and a girdle across the middle in an upright jiosition. (The Pupiliones have a leaf-like appendage to the fore tibia-, as pointed out recently by Dr. Adolf Speyer ; the character ajiproximates the family to the IIcsperid.T and Moths.) Family A. Lycenid.e. Six perfect legs in 9; four in if ; the fore tarsi wanting the tarsal claws, but densely spined beneath. Wing-cells (except in Euiiueus) not closed by perfect nervules. I'upa secured by the tail and a girdle across the middle. Family 4. Eryciniu.e. Six perfect legs in $ ; four in J ; the fore tarsi consisting oidy of one or two joints, and spineless. Subfam. 1. Erycimn.e. Pupa recumbent, flattened beneath, secured by the tail and a girdle across the middle. Subfam. 2. Stalachtin.e. Pupa not flattened beneath, secured rigidly by the tail in an inclined j)osition, without girdle. Subfam. 3. Libyth j.in.e. Pupa suspended freely by the tail. Family 5. Nymphalid.e. Fore legs imperfect in both sexes; in the 9 wanting the tarsal claws; in the d the fore tarsi aborted, consisting of one or two joints. Pupa suspended freely by the tail. a. Lower disco-cellular nervule, especially of the hind wing, more or less atrojihied. Subfam. 1. Nymphalin.e {Nymphalid(e, AgeronidiC, EuryteVidas ; it will be more convenient therefore to treat them independently, than to combine them under the head of one polymorphic species. A ij^ood collection of specimens from all parts of the area of distribution of the g-enus would here be very instructive. We should then be able to aset'rtain the metro])olis and ])rol)able area of oi'ii;ination of each of the various forms. I have seen only L. lldlut in collections from S.E. Brazil. L. ulertjatis is peculiar to Columbia and the T'pper Amazon region ; but a strikini;' variety of it prevails over the type in this last-mentioned district, and another, L. Falcs (Felder), occurs on the Itio NeijTO. L. Clcobcva (which is scarcely more diH'erent from L. ti/crf/atis than the just- mentioiu'd L. atcrgotis, \ ar., is fnmi its type) is reputed to occur in the West India Islands. At Para three forms, imdudini;' L. Jla/ia, are found toi-'ether ; ami here some intermediate varieties occur, makini.^ it probable that the sei^re^'ation of the cpiasi-species is not in that district complete. 1. LvcoRKA CiiUES, Cramer. Papilio Ceres, Cramer, Pap. Exot. t. 90. f. A. This species occurs in the Amazon rei^'ion at I'ani, and on the hanks of the Tapajos. It is also an inhabitant ol" Surinam. Cramer's lin'ure is made from an example rather aberrant in the markinifs of the hind wind's; otherwise it au'rees very well with the sijceimens I have before me. 1 have a variety from Para which connects this form with /.. llolJa. 2. LvcoKKA I'AsixrNTiA, Cramer. Papilo Pasinu/itia, Cram. I'ap. Ivxot. t. .510, A, 15, C. This form occurs thnumlidul the whole of the iVmazon reunion, iVom 1X° to 70° \V. hm'j;. The extreme westei'ii examples, found at St. Paulo on the Cpper Amazons, show a chanj^e of colour in the yellow irrciiular belt of tli(> fore wiiiu', which ha- accpn'red the same oranire-tawnv shade as the rest of the wiuis. The same substitution of colour 518 MR. H. W. BATES ON THE LEPIDOPTERA occurs in several other species of Ileliconidae, found in that locality — a curious result of pe- culiar local conditions. Cramer figures a slight variety as the cf of the species (fig. A). 8. Lycorea Halia, Iliibner. Eueides Halia, Hiibner, Exot. Schmett. Found in company with L. Ceres and L. Pasimintia at Para. As I have before remarked, this is the form of Lycorea which prevails in S.E. Brazil. A variety, found also at Para, connects it with L. Ceres, the chief Guianian form, and suggests the conclusion that both the extreme local races or species were one and the same at not a very distant period of time. 4. Lycorea atergati.s, Dou1)leday. L. atergatis. Doubled, and Hewits. Gen. Diurn. Lep. pi. 16. f. 1. The figure here quoted was made from a Venezuelan specimen. I did not find the species on the Lower Amazons ; but it was the most abundant form of the genus at Ega, on the upper river. Many of the incUviduals there occurring, however, form a strongly marked variety, in which the ground-colour is dark brown, suffused more or less with l)lackish. Further to the west of Ega, tliis variety is the prevailing form. Genus Ituxa, Doubleday. Doubled, and Hewits. Gen. Diurn. Lep. p. 113. The species of this genus, like those of Lycorea, seem to be all geographical forms of one only. But in this instance the segregation of races is complete, whilst in Lycorea we have seen it to be in many of the forms only in process. Three ItiincB are known : one, /. Lamyro, Latr., occurs in New Granada; the second, I. Ilione, Cram., inhabits Guiana and, I believe, Brazil, along the Atlantic coast ; the third, /. Fhenarete, Dbld., is peculiar to Bolivia and tlie Upper Amazons. All three are tolerably distinct in colours and markings. Ituna Pu^enarete, Douljleday. /. PhdEiiarete, Dbld. and Hewits. Gen. Diurn. Lepid. pi. 17. f. 1. I met with one example only, at Tabatinga, Upper Amazons. Genus Metuona, Dimbleday. Dbld. and Hewits. Gen. Diurn. Lej). p. 115. Tliis genus, which is so closely allied to the following {Thyrid'ta) that the species of both liavc nlvvays been confounded, is distinguished from it by structural characters, viz. the iiciiiatioii of th(! hind wings and the form of the male fore legs, which are of great Nystcniatic im})ortance in another jiart of this family, but here can scarcely be considered even of generic value. The internal (abdominal) nervure of the hind wing is long, and OF THE AMAZON VALLEY. 519 terminates on the outer margin; tin- lower disco-cellular is jilaccd at a rii^lit aunle with the median, is much longer than the middle clisco-eellular (which is straight), and strongly angulated. The fore legs of the male have the tihite and tarsi linear in shape, althou"-h much shorter than the femur; they ditler in length in individuals of the same species, hut are never so far ahorted as to form a mere round knol) at tlie tip of tin- femur, as in Thyr'uUa. In TInjridia the lower disco-cellular is short and straight, and placed at an ohtuse angle with the median, whilst the middle disco-cellular is very long and ano,-ulated; and the internal (ahdominal) nervure is short, terminating on the al)dominal l)order. 1. Metiiona TuE^nsTO, lliihner. Thyridia Themisto, Iliibu. Zutriig. f. 1G3-1. I found this species at Para, where it was associated with 31. F^idii. Like the oilier species of the genus, its ilight is somewhat slow and heavy. It freciuents thinned ])arts of the virgin forest, moving about the lower trees and underwood. It dill'ers from M. Psklii, principally, in the absence of a black belt across the disk of the hind wings. It is pr(jbably a modiiicatiou of it. 2. :METnoXA PsiDii, Linnanis (PI. LVI. flg. 8(/). Papiiio Psidii, Linnanis, sec. Cramer. , Cram. Pap. Exot. t. 23/, f. F. ilr. Doul)leday and all subsequent authors have considered the P. Fsidii of Liiuueus and Cramer to be a Thyridia. I cannot imagine how their mistake has arisen, all the numerous examples of the insect represented by Cramer as 1\ Fsidii which 1 ha\-e examined having the wing-neuration and male fore legs of Jfcl/ioua. It is an exceedingly common insect throughout the Amazon region. The liuure of Cramer is accurate: the small, rounded shape of the hyaline area lu^ar the tip of the hind wini;', crossed by two nervurcs only, and the opake black colour of the l)asal part of the hind margin of the fore wing reaching the median nervure (both good speeilic characters), are well given. The colour of the tlun-ax: varies in almost every speciuuMi. In all there is a round grey spot on the wing-lappets; but in some examples the edges of these t)rgans are also grev, and in others the surface of the thorax is much variegated with grey colour. Genus TiiviMDiA (niibner), Dcniblcday. Doublcl. ami Ilewits. (Jen. Uiurii. Lep. p. 117- TiiTiiiDiA Ixo, Felder. Thyridio Ino, Feld. Wicn. Eiit. Moiiatschr. ISfl'J, ]>. 75. I found this species at Villa Nova, on the Lower Amazons, in c()in])any with McUiona Psidii. Dr. Tclder's specimens came from the Up])er Rio Kegro. It is distinguishable from J/. PsitZ« at once by its structural generic characters, as will be seen from the description above given of the genus Jlelhona; \m\ in size and colours the two rcscinblc VOL. XXIU. I A 520 MR. H. W. BATES ON THE LEPIDOPTERA each other so much, that I coukl not distinguish them when on the wing. It is replaced in South-East Brazil hy the Th. Pijtho of Felder, which I consider a local form of the same species. Genus Dircenna, Doublcday. Double!, and Hewits. Gen. Diurn. Lep. p. 119. In this genus the hind-wing neuration resembles that of Ilethona, inasmuch as the lower disco-cellular is strongly angulated, and emits a recurrent nervule ; hut the middle disco-cellular in the S is bent, and directed towards the apex of the wing. The internal nervure is very short, terminating on the abdominal edge. In the fore wing the first median l)ranch is thrown oflF at a moderate distance from the base of the wing, terminating on the hind margin, close to the posterior angle, the cell being much broader than in JleUioiKi and Tlini-idia. The body is slender; the antennas moderately elongated, and thickened towards the tip into an elongate club. The palpi are clothed in front witli long porrcct hairs, their third joint being long and pointed. The male fore tibi;i} and tarsi are aborted, being reduced to a small knob at the apex of the femur. Doubleday left the list of species referable to this genus in an unsatisfactory state. The following are all at present known* : — 1. n. Klugli, Hiibn. Zutr. f. 801, 802.— Mexico. 2. D. Jeiiiiiiia, Iliilm. ib. f. 807, 808. — Venezuela and New Granada. D. lambe, Doubled, and Hewits. Gen. Diurn. Lep. pi. xvii. f. 2. 3. D. Dero, Hilbn. Zutr. f. 213, 211.— South-East Brazil, Bahia. 1. D. lilujeo, Eelder, Lepidop. Fragment., p. 40. — South-East Brazil, Para, and Amazons. 5. D. Xtintho, ib. p. 10.— South-East Brazil, Bahia. (■). D. Zclid, Guer. Icon. Begne Animal, text, p. 470. — Bolivia. 7. 1). Epidero (Boisduval, MS.), n, sp. — Amazons. 8. D. Lenea, Cram.f t. 231, f. D. cf . I). Mvlnnidu, Cram. t. 231, f. F. 2. D. Zielo, Boisduval, MS. 1. DiRCEXNA uiiOEO, Eeldcr. D. rho'eo, Felder, Lepidop. Fra;;ment., p. 40. This form differs from the D. l\'i'o of IIiil)ner only in the greater Ijreadtb and irre- gularity of tlic dusky-black border of the hind wing, especially in the 9, and in the ' Diiceniiu DiiiUid, IK'wits. Trans. Ent. Soc. vol. ii. N.S., ]il. xxiii. f. 3, is a llijmenids. t Tliis spfcit's is inipertVctly kiiDWii. Cramer's figiiics are very un.satisfactory. In Cayenne examples, tlie wings are clcaicr hyaline than represented by him ; the hasal halt' of the i'ore wing, the anal (piadrate patch of the hind win£j, and the nervnres are suffnsed with l)riglit fulvous. The nervures near the apex of tlie fore wing are hright yelliiw. It appears to he a rare species. In Dr. lioisduval's collection, typical examples stand under the MS. name nf /;. Zti-h). I am indi'htcd to Dr. Ijoisdnva! for the [jresent of a fine examjile. 1 believe, however, that D.Lenea ((iniana), I). Epideru (Amazons), I). Zi'/ni (liolivia), and I). Xanlho (IJahia) might l)e all treated as geographical forms of one and the same S|)eeies. OF TIIK AMAZON VAI.LKY. 521 iu'r\ uros wliicli traverse the disk of the same wing heing of a ycllowisli cohjiir instead of bhiek. In the 9 the diseocelhdars and tlie terminal parts of the median hranehes are accompanied by dusky streaks. It eaiinot be considered, however, otherwise tlian as a local variety of J). JJero, which has the hyaline disks of the wini^s always clearer, and the black borders more sharply defined than 1). Bhoeo. J). Dcro is peculiar to South-East Brazil, and is not found in the Amazon region, where the local form I). Rhoi-o lakes its place. I have seen specim(>ns of D. llJioeo also from the neii;hl)oarhoo(l of ]?ogota. New Granada. It (lies in thinned parts of the forest in Ygaj/), or flooded districts, in the dry season. The sp(>cies is always aceom])anied by the followini,^ D. JCpi/lero, to which it has so close a general resemblance, that I always found it dillicult to distinguish one from the other when on the wing. The two forms, liowevca', lia\e no \('ry close real relationship, there being ])oints of difference in their structure, namely, in the sba))e and neuration of the hind wings in the males. The constant companionship of the two species can only be explained by th(^ social and gregarious instincts of the Ucl icon idee. 2. 1)iuci;nna EriuKuo (Boisduval ]\IS.), n. sp. Expanse 2" 5". 6. Wings hyaline, a patch of bright yellow across the middle and apical regions of the fore wini;' and the? basal half of the hind win^-. Fore wiiitj: (iborc, with the margins blackish, a triangular spot on the bind ])art of the cell, near the base, and a narrow lu'lt across the disco-cellulars, extending down tlie second median braiu'h (and jjartly down the third) to the hind margin, also blackisli, the dark colour on the [josterior margin extending (piite to the median nervure and its first liranch. Beneath, the same, except tiiat there are two or three wliite specks at the tij) of the wing. Iluid icing : above, with the margins blackish, the portion between the seeoml nuHlian I)ranch and the aI)dominal edge very much broader; a narrow dusky belt from the costa across the disco-cellulars to the bind margin, most frequently interrupt(Ml in th(> middle, also blackish ; tlK> nervures across the basal part cle^ir liylit yellow. Beneath, the same, except that the base of the costa has a stripe of orange-colonr, and that the tip has two, ami the liind margin near the anal angle four, white specks. The hiiul wing is short and sulxpiadi-ate, the ajjcx beinn' siiarply truncated; tlu' lower disco-cellular is angulated (with a reciUTcnt nervule) close to the juiu'tion oi" the lowei' radial. The si)ecies varies in the bi'oad l)lack l)order, near the anal angle of the bind wing, having a reddish sti'cak in the middle, through which shine the white marginal sjiecks of thi> under surface. 2. Very variable in colours. The following are the chiel' variations : — 1. Same as the c?, exce])t that the broad anal black l)or(ler of the hind wing is of a clear orange-r(Ml colour in the middle. 2. The wiiu;' mneh snll'nsed w itii l)lackish. leaving two broad l)elts across the fori> w ini;-. the basal part and a sub;ipical spot of the hind wing alone iiyaline ; tlu> apical l)ell oi' the fore wing has a patch of light yellow, and the nei'vur(>s traversing the basal ])ai1 oC the bind wing are reddish. GcneraDy distributed throughout the Amazon region, in thinned parts of the forest, \ A 2 522 MR. H. W. BATES ON THE LEPIDOPTERA invariably associated with D. Rho'eo. Both have a weak, slow flight, and are generally seen in company with Ithomice of various species. Genus Callithomia, nov. genus. Generic Characters. — Head, palpi, and antenna; same as in Dirccmia ; the long hairy palpi, and their long pointed third joint, being charactei's which distinguish both from Ithomia and its allied genera. Hind wing in the S short, subquadrate, in the 2 elliptical ; in both sexes with the lower disco-cellular straight, rather long, placed at an obtuse angle with the median ; the middle disco-cellular angulated (with a recurrent ner- vule), in the c? very long, bent, and du*ected outwards towards the apex of the wing. Fore tibia? and tarsi in the marginal spots. Body black, beneath yellow; collar with two small yellow spots; wing-lapp(>ts eacli with one large spot of llu" same colour. Antenna; pale fulvous, the basal part black. 1 found two or liircc cxamiiles of this very elegant insect in tiie forest at St. I'aulo, on tiic ri)per Amazons, ilying in company with the UhoDiiw and Ccraliniie of the locality. OF THE AMAZON VALLEY. 523 2. Callithomia Zeuxippe, n. sj). 2. Expanse 2" 6'". Very similar to the l)nY■e(lin^^ It dilTcrs in liavinc^ the fore wing, the base of the eosta, and tlic posterior margin l)roadly blaekish : the apieal part of the wing is l)rown, the margins of the nervures, at tlie end of tlie cell, being ri'ddish ; the row of pale sjjots across this part is reduced in number to three. Brneath, the marginal row of pah> spots in botii wings is clear yellow, instead of silvery white as in C. Alexirvhoe. The neuration of t he hind wing is slightly different from that of Alcxir- rhoi', inasmuch as the upj)er radial is brought much nearer the sul)costal, and the upper disco-cellular is very minute. One example taken on the banks of the Cui)ari, an alUuent of tlu' Tapajos. 3. C^u^lituomia TiioKXAx, n. sp. 2. Expanse 2" 10'". Win^s elongate, orange-tawny. Fore iciiKj : «/vo/7', with a large, rounded spot in the middU' of tlie cell, the base of the costa, and the whole of the hind margin black; the a])ical third is also bkickish, leaving a submarginal row of six triangular spots and the edges of the nervures at the end of the cell orange-tawny ; there is also a subaijical row of four elongate, semihyaline s])ots. Beneath, the same, except that the submarginal row of fulvous spots is expanded into an irregular belt, and that tliere is an inten'U|)t('(l row of minute yellowish spots on the extreme outi-r margin. IVnid viurj: altore, with a row of four subquadrale spots along tin; wing, close Ix'hind the cell ; the margins are spotless. Beneath, the same, except that there is a broad sub- costal black stripe, and a iifth spot added to the central series; the l)lack stripe curves at the end. so as to meet the line of spots ; the hind margin, towards the anal angle, has a row of four whitisji spots. Hody and antenna^ the same as in the two pi-eceding species. The neuration of the hind wing is dilferent from that of the preceding, inasmuch as the U])per radial appears as a branch ol'tlie subcostal after the cell. A single exani|)le taken at Tabatinga, on the frontier of Peru. (Jenus Cekatixta (Uiibn.), Doubleday. Doiibld. and Ilewils. Gen. l)iin-n. Lc])i(l. p. Vll- This genus, which Doubleday thought most convenient to treat as a section of Ithomia, forms part of a grou]) of genera or subgenera (comprising CeratiiiUt, Nupeoyenen, Oterio, Mechanitis, Sals, Ithomia, 11// in e nil in) which agree in their ])al|)i being destitute of hairs in front, in tlieir terminal joint being short, very slender, pointed, and pi'ojeeting from tlie foi'ehead, and in the antenna! Ixung somewhat elongate, only sligiitly and very i^Tadually thickeiuMl towai'ds their ti])s. These genera or subgeiu'ra, however (n\ least, such of them as I think it will be; advantageous, for the sake of clearness, to adopt), difler from each other greatly in tiie neui'ation of the hind wings. Ceratinia has the hind wing elongated in both sexes. In the male, the lower disco- cellular forms a very obtuse angle with tiie median, is aniiulated, ami emits a recurrent nervule near or close to the junction of the lower radial, the middle diseo-eellular lieiui;- o24 MR. H. W. BATES ON THE LEPIDOPTERA long and straight, directod outwards, and the upper straight, nearly reaching the apex of the wing. In the female, the lower disco-cellular forms a less obtuse angle with the median ; the recurrent nervule is emitted either close to the junction of the lower radial or fi'om the middle disco-cellular ; the latter is directed across the wing, joining the sub- (tostal ; the up})er radial, is either emitted close to this junction, or is situated as a branch of tlie subcostal, after the cell. The male fore tibise and tarsi are reduced to a small knob ; the femur is not notably abbreviated. The female fore tarsi have the joints slender and filiform. This genus is interesting as exhibiting the wing-neuration in a vacillating state. Not only do the sexes show an imjiortant difference in the position of the angle and recur- rent nervule of the hind wing disco-cellulars, but individuals of the same species vary in the position of certain ner-^iires. Those parts of structure which form fixed generic characters in other groups are here variable in the sexes and in individuals of the same sex. Ceratmia is nearly allied to MechanlHs (as defined in this me- moir), on the one hand, and to Ithomia, through such species as /. Ij^jhianasso, on the other. 1. Ceratinia Ninonia, Hlibner. Ceratinia Ninonia, Hiibn. Exot. Schmctt. Hlibncr's figures represent an insect with ratlier l)road fore and hind wings, and with two large yellow spots across the middle of the fore Aving, besides a crooked yellow belt across the black apical part. I found a species extremely common at different stations on the Amazons, which Avas evidently the same as Ninonia, but very variable in shape and colours, and presenting very few examples which agreed exactly with Hiibner's figures. The species, however, evidently varies in different ways in different localities ; yet the local varieties are not definite, the segregation of the races is not complete ; so that it is embarrassing to decide whether to treat the form as one polymorphic species, in- ciiuling the variations under one and the same definition, or to describe separately the ty})e and the local varieties. Besides these incomiDlete local modifications, easily trace- able to the type, there are, as often happens in the case of prolific, widely distributed, and variable species, a numbc^r of other forms rather more strongly marked and better defined, which inhabit regions rather more distant from the locality of the type than those which the mere varieties inhabit. These are admitted on all hands to be distinct species ; l)ut I think it would be diificult to |)rove that these were not also varieties of C. Xiiioiiia, which have become more completely segregated from the parent fonu. Such are, amongst others, C. T/'m (Hewits.), Eio Negro; C. Leprieuril (Feisthamel), Cayenne; C. Fcncstella (Hewits.), Venezuela; C. Mclphis (lliibn.), S.E. Brazil; and C. Fiwhria (Hewits.), New Granada. The ibllowing are the chief varieties of Ceralinia Ninouia occurring in the Amazon region. \ ar. 1. C. Borri (Boisduval's Coll.). Expanse 2" 1"' to 2" 3'". Uing wings in l)oth sexes much narrower than in the type; OF THE AMAZON" VALLKY. 52.") tlie two yellow si)()ts across the middle of the fore wiiit^- are i)ale and seiuitranspareiit ; the basal area of the hind wing is als(j semitranspareut. This vai'icty occurs in company with the typical C. Xinouin at Cam<'t:'i, on the To- cantins, in much greater abundance than its tj'jie. I met with it also on the l)aiik'- of the Tapajos, but there without the true C. Niiiouia. It is found also at Cayenne, in eoni- panv with C. Leprieurii, a form which 1 did not meet with in the Amazon region. \'ar. 2. Expanse 2"-5"' Much larger than var. 1. 'I'he yellow s])ots across tlie middle of the foi'e wing are entirely wanting, there heiiit;' oidy a crooked yellow l)elt across the black apical part. l?oth wings are much Ijroader than in var. 1 ; and the hind wing is strongly angulated about the mid(Ue of outer margin. This variety occurs much furtlun- to the west. It is fouiul, to the exclusion of \ar. 1. at Obydos, on the Guiana side of the Lower Amazons, and, again, on the Upper Amazons, at all tlie stations I examined, from the nunitli of the Rio Negro to Peru. AVith it arc found many individuals agreeing in colours with var. 1, although not in shape ; others occur intermediate l)etween vars. 1 and 2. 2. CiciiATixiv TiiEA, llcwitson. Ithomia Tliea, Ilewits, E.xot. Butt. Ithomia, fig. 11. I consider tliis a well-marked aiul fixed local variety or race of C. Xiiionin. It has not l)ecn fouiul hitherto clsewlu're than on the banks of the llio Negro, wliose climate, soil, and forests are ditlerent from those of tiie nuiin Amazons. 3. Ckkatixlv Xantiiostola, n. sp. c? . Expanse 2" 5'". In colours resembling C. Tliea ; the wings very dill'crent in slia|)c. The fore wing is long and narrow, very much longt-r than tlie hind wing (as in iig. I, Ithomia, pi. 2. Hewits. Exot. Ikitt.). Opake orange-tawny; costal edge and a faint s[)ot in the centre of the cell blackish; apical third (or more) black, crossed l)y a curved yellow belt, which reaches only the second median bramdi ; margin with a row of seven large rounded yellow spots. Hind wing scmioval, the costal aiul subcostal nervures rigid and straight, reaching the ai)ex, which forms a sharp angle : aboce, opakc; orange-tawny, with a l)road, some- what regular dusky margin, in which is a row of seven rouiuled yidlow spots. Bcni'dlh. the same, except that tlu; base of the costa is yellow, that there is a stripe of dusky colour alongthe costal nervures, and a centi-al dusky strij)e along the wing, passing close liciiind the c(dl. This insect has \\\c a|)i)earanc(> of an aberration or extraordinary variety of C. yinviiKi. in company with whicii and its varieties it is found. Many individuals, however, occurred; and 1 think it is a form whose peculiarities are probably hereditary. f. ClCllATIXIA Vam.oma, ileuitson. Ithomia Valtonia, Ilewits. Exot. Butt. Ithomia, fig. l.i. This beautiful species was very rare at I'ara. in colours it rcscmldcs nuuh Nopcogcnes C'l/riunussa. 52G MR. H. W. BATES ON THE LEPIDOPTERA 5. Ceiiatinia Fluonia, Hewitson. Ithomia Fluonia, Hewits. Exot. Butt. Ithomia, fig. 26. In this species the hind-wing upper radial nervure in the female is always connected with the cell by means of an upper disco-cellular. It is a distinct, well-marked form, closely allied, however, to C. Ninonia, and appears to l)e confined in its range to the region of the Upper Amazons. (j. Ceratinia Anastasia, n. sp. allied forms of Helicon id:,r. Uouhleday, however, made the definition of his u-enus impossihle, by plaeini;' in it a series of species {S. Ci//-iin//i.ss-(i and others) which have no resem])lance to i'. liosulia in the features mentioned. S. Cyrhniasna and its allies form a distinct <;roup, which 1 have named yojjcogciics. Sais may l)e known hy the followiim- characters. The hind-\\ ini;' lower disco-cellular in the f" runs in a line with the median nervure ; tiie middle disco-cellular also runs nearly in the same straiiiht direction, l)n1 it is angular, and emits a recurrent nervnle; the upper disco-cellular is short, and |)laced near tiic a])ex of the wiuLi'. In the $ the ])osilion of the lower aiul middle disco-cellulars is the same ; hut the u[)])er disco-cellular is wantiuL;-, the u])per radial hcinn' ])laced as a branch of the subcostal, 'i'lie costal and subcostal nervures amalgamate foi- nearly the whol(> course of the costal, as in the 'j;cnn^ Jfccliati/fis. The fore l(>ns cjf the J are (piite rudimentary ; not only are the tibia* and tarsi reduced to a small knob, but the femur also is greatly abl)reviated. in \\iv +* they arc nuich eloni;ated, and llie tarsi are liliform. The head is very small; the antenna' ar(> very lom;' and slemh'i'. In this i>-enus the elongation of the hind-wini;- cell and the attraction of the radial neuration within the domain of the median, reach their extreme point, in one sens(>. iV'/.9 may be ccmsidered to be the hin'hest develo])ment of tlic llcliconidc (or Danaine) ty])e on the American continent, in the stMise of rec;'din<;' fuiihest iVoni J)<(i/ui.s and tli(> \ymphalida\ Th(> ii-roup Ili/n/cui/is exhil)its ])robably as ^-.'cat a deviation from the Nymphalideous type as ,SV^/.s', but in Ili/meititis this deviation runs in a dili'erent and nearly opposite direction. Sais llosALiA, Cramei'. PupUio Rosalia, Cram. Pap. Exot. t. 2\Ct, f. B. Ci'amer's figure, made from a Surinam specimen, represents the a])ex of the fore win Ilelicojiia-Wkc Danainas. There is, in truth, a very wide difference in structure Ix^tween Ilecluniifis and Ileluuvc ; but the great similarity in dress of the respective species, in greats i)art ]iair by pair, has led to their being grouped in one genus. The distinguishing characters of ILccliaiiitis are the following : — Head small; \r,\\\n thinly clothed with scales, terminal joint pointed, projecting. Antenna' nu)derately Ioiil;, thickened into a distinct club at tlu' apex. Ilind-wing lower discocellular nearly in a line with the median, rather short; middle discocellular at right angles with the lower, angulated, and emitting a recurrent nervule in tlu' middle in both sexes; upper discocellular in the S inclined towards the base, joining the sub- costal not far from the middle of its course, in the ? very short or entirely wanting, in tlie latter case tlu' upper radial l)t'ing as a braiu-h of the subcostal beyond the cell. Costal ne)-vur<' ainali;aiuated with the subcostal for neaidy half the length of the wing in the '?. Eor(> legs of the r? with the femur siiort, tibiie and tarsi reduced to a small knol); in the ? sIcmhUt, the tarsi iiliform, the s])ines minute. The genus, as tlius deiined, conijtrises two g)'ou])s of species of very dilferent general ap))earanc(% — one containing .)/. Pohjiiui'ia and its allies, distinguished by their large size, opake viings, and vai'ied coloration — the other including M. PhijUodocc of lliibner, and several nearly related species, remarkable for their much smaller size and pale, semi- OF THE AMAZON VAMJ'.Y. 529 transparont wiiii^s. Those lattrr may rclain as sectional distinct ion tlic name Oler'tfi, as proposed l)y lli'ibncM". Section 1. Olcrkt, lliil)ner. Hiibncr, Verzciclniiss bckannter Schmelterlingc, ]). 9. 1. MkCUAMTIS (OlKUIA) TIIKAIMIIA, 11. sp. Very similar in size, shape, and ij'enei'al appearance to 3It'cli(iiiitts or Uhinn'm rlliica (Iknvits. Exot. iiutt. llhomhi, liii'. 110). d$. Expanse 1" 2"'-l" S'". Willis pale sulpluir-w hite. scmilransparcnt. Fore w iiii,^ with a Avide liorder, and a hroad ohlicpie liaiul extending' from the eosta across the end of the cell to the outer margin near the hind angle, hlaek ; a suhmarginal row of round white spots in the outer lihick border, not reaching the hind angle. 15encatli, the same. Hind wing with a l)lack border, narrow on the eosta, and hroad along the outer mai'gin.the latter liavinga sul)marginal row of roumU'd white spots. Beneath, the same. Body and antennre hhick. ileiid and thorax witli some wliilisii markings. Found on the ])anks of the Ciipari, a branch of the Tapajos, and also at St. I'aulo, on the Up])er Amazons. At St. Paulo the individuals were hivger and more vividly colonred than on the liorders of the Cnpari. Section 2. Media iiif'iii |)ro|)er. 2. .MixiiAMTis Poi.YMXiA (Liiiii.), CraiiKM', Tap. K.xol. t. 11)1. f. !■]. This species, like many oth<'rs of the llcliconida', is subject to nnnarkable local Aariation. The varieties, taken in connexion with tluMr geographical distribution, are a most interesting study. Tin; species is extremely abnndant wherever it is found, and the dill'erent varieties are co|)iiinsly repr(>sented in collections. It is slow in flight, and inhabits thinned parts of the forest, or negleeted and shady plantations near settlements. The caterpillar (ligiired in Sepp, Papill. de Snriiiam, ])l. 2.) has a smooth integument. The head is round, and the body has a row of small ])ointed tubercles on each side. It is grey, with black s|)o1s, and ringed with yellow. it feeds on Soldnnm nciilcdfitiNuuioii, and is gregarious. The chrysalis is smooth. The ty])ical form of the ])erfeet iiis(>et, as figured by Cramer, prevails at I'ara and throughout the Lower Amazon region. All the examples collected at I he diU'erent stations in those ])arts resemble each other pretty closely in colours and markings. .Vt Ega, on the I'jjper Amazons, the species is very unstable; very hnv individuals were found conformable to the Cramerian type: it t here vari("s, not only in general colour and pattern, but also very considerably in the shape of the wiin;s. es])eeially in the male sex. One variety seems, however, to predominat(\ to which 1 give the name of M. Efjo'ensis: L frccpu-ntly found pairs oi' it in copuhi, iuu\ never observed it t(j mate with other varieties, from which I was inclined to conclude that the individuals preferred lo pair with their (>xaet counterparts, and iherei'ore that the variety was in process of segregation fnnn the type. All the intermediate forms between the tyjiical .1!. Pul>/iniiia and J/. Egaciisis occurred at Ega, but in fewer numbers. At St. I'aulo, 2(!() miles !■ 1! 2 530 MR. H. W. BATES ON THE LEPIDOPTEKA I'urtlier to tlio west, the species was again extremely vana1)le, but the varieties were quite different from those of Ega : iiadividuals coming very the near type occurred, but not one was found quite conformaljle. M. Egaeiisis was quite absent ; but, on the other hand, a new variety abounded at St. Paulo, of which there was certainly no trace at Ega ; this has l)een figured and described as a distinct species, viz. 31. MazcBus (Hewits. Esot. Butt. Mechaititis, fig. 8). Two other remarkable varieties also occurred — one near 31. 3IeN02)/uliis (Hewits. I.e. 3Iechaniiis, figs. 2, 3), and the other with a structural modification in the shape of the wings, described below as 31. Olwencia. The way in Avhich I found this species to vary, as just described, impressed me greatly, and helped much, in conjunction with other facts of a similar tendency, not only to di^stroy my belief in the constancy of species, but to teach how new ones may have originated. The complete set of connecting forms found showed that I had here to deal with one species only, disseminated over a large area, and modified in certain districts under peculiar conditions there olitaining. The varieties were of such a nature as to form and colours, that it was inconceivable they could have been hybrids produced by the intercrossing of two or more originally distinct species. The amount of local modification exhibited was not in accordance with obvious differences in the local conditions; for the species was totally changed from Ega to St. Paulo, 200 miles apart and very similar in soil, climate, &c., whilst very constant on the Lower Amazons, in districts 600 miles apart and very different in physical conditions. Since returning to England, I have learned that 31. Polymitla again varies on the eastern slopes of the Andes, whilst a cluster of remarkable varieties or local forms (some of which have been described as species) are found in the Andean valleys. Some of these {31. 3Iacn)ii(s, 3r. 3[enophilvs, &c.) are very clearly varieties of 31. Polijmnia, like the forms found at Ega and St. Paulo ; l)ut others {31. 3Iothouc, 31. 3Ieiiapis) are more sharply defined, and have the appeai-ance oi' tru(> species. Now I think th(> conclusion is unavoidable, that these apparently distinct species are modifications, as well as the undoubted varieties are ; for we have the species in all stages of modifi(!ation — simple variation, local variety scarcely distinguishable from a mere variation, com2)lete local variety, and well-marked rac(; or species. Tlie forms of 31. Polynuila found in Soutli Brazil confirm this view. At Rio Janeiro the well-marked race or species 31. Lysimiiia alone is found; at Bahia (travelling towards the hom(> of the type, 31. Poli/miiia), 31. Li/slmnia in company Avith 31. Nes(pa, a ibrm exactly intermediate between 31. Pol ij inula and 31. Lysbnnla; at Pernaml)uco (further northward) 31. Nescea alone occurs; at Para this form is seen no more, and 31. Poltjmula in its typical dress monopolizes the field. These fixcts seem to tc^ach that, in this and similar cases, a new species originates in a local variety, formed in a certain area, where the conditions are more favom-able to it tiian to the typical form, and that a large number (jf such arc simultaneously in process of formation from one variable and widely distributed species. The new species cannot be proved to lie estal)lished as such, unless it be fimiul in company with a sistei- Ibrm wliich has ii:id a similar origin, and maintaining itself perfectly distinct from it. Cases ol' two extreme varieties of a si)ecies being thus brought into contact I )y redistribution or mi^-ration, and not amalgamating, will be found to l)c nununous when the sulyect is OF THE AMAZON VALLEY. 531 inquired into*. I fmmd no clear iustanei' on the banks of tlie Amazons of two forms of J/. Poh/iiijua haviny tliis relationship; but, tojudgv from the c(jlleetions received, it exists between M. Li/simnla and JI. Xcauut, in the middle parts of the Brazilian coast- country, at Bahia. Local var. Mcchuiiittn Egoensis (PI. LVI. llg-. la). Expanse, d 2" 2"'-'2" '"', ? 2" l"'-;3". /»i)/i 1st and 2nd )nediau l)ranehes. Across the wing, a little lieyond the middle, is a very irr(>gular l)right-yellow bi-lt, whieli begins on the costa and terminates about the middle of the outer mar-in : this band -encn-ally includes a quadrate spot lying within the end of the cell; its outer margin is deeply bisiiuiated, and broadly edged with black: in the middle of the brownish apical part of the wing, near the costa, is a larg(> ill-detined yellowish spot. BciirKlh, the same, excejjt that there is on the outer margin, near the apex, a series of live whitish s])o1s, in somr examples rcnluced in siz(> aiul number, in others altogether wanting. ITiiul ichi(jv\wvi and (piadrangular, tiie angularity nu)st pronounced in small examples ; ahorc, same colour as the fore wing; there is a broad, black, zigzag stripe alon^• the disk, behind the cell, and generally a series of marginal lunules of the same colour. The marginal lunules ar(> wanting in some examples ; in others they are large, ami blended partly with the black discal stripe. Boicatli, the same, the margin spotless; there is a yellow spot at the base of the costa. 9. Similar to the 6 in colours: the hind wing is not angular, but elliptical in shape, and has generally a trace of the marginal white spots on the under surface. Individuals occur much darker in colour, with the black marks spreading })artly over the surface. Extremely abundant all the yeai- round at Ega, in thinned parts of the ioresl ; init lound in no other part of the Amazon region. It occurred in company with the ty{)ical M. Pohjiiuno aiul numerous individuals exhibiting all the gradations between the two extreme forms. 1 add descriptions of some of these internKHliate varieties. * I liave given a case in the first |)ai)er ])uljlislie(l of tliis series, " On the Insert Kanna iil' tlie .Vnia/.on Vallev," in ' Transactions of tlie Entomological Society of London,' n. s. vol. v. |.. ,;.V1, PiiihUo I'l-rtumniix and P. Ilu-ror/cx. It seems to me that, as only those local varieties become sjiecies which nniintain themselves distinct when hronirlit li\ redistribntion in contact with their sister-forms, natnral selection comes here into play. It is an advantage to a form to have a s|)here of life different from its allies : when two sister forms keep themselves distinct in a locality, it is a sign they have accpiired siifHcient difference to fill two separate sjdiercs ; if they paired together, thiy wuulil s("'ii become one again. Nature may be said to place a |)reminin on diversity ; lor she thus destroys the incompletely finnuil race, and preserves the completely formed one. The case oi Mechanitis Pohjmina differs from that i>l' Lepfalix Theonoe, in exhibiting the prodnclion, gencially, ol only one local form in a district, instead of many. As far as my observations go, this seems to have been the mo-^t frequent conrsc in nature. More than one new race would with dithcnlly be formed in a limited area, where (he individuals live in close neighbourhood, except in such cases as our Leptulis, where rigid destruction of inlcrmcihiUe forms is going on, thus restricting the choice of mates to the surviving forms, or in such genera as Itliomia, where there is no doubt the insects carefully select their exact counter]iarts in pairing. ?)32 MR. H. W. BATES ON THE LEPIDOPTERA Var. 1. Same as 31. T'olymnlu, Cram., except that tlie ground-colour is of a dark orange- brown, nearly as in 31. E(j(tensis. This variety was numerously represented, and in both the sexes. Var. 2. Between var. 1 and 31. Bf/nei/.sis. The wings are dark isabella-colour, or orange-brown ; the black stripe along the hind margin of the fore wing touches tlie edge for great part of its length ; and there is a large irregular yellow spot, bordered with tawny, in the centre of the black apical part, liind wing of the cJ more angular than in II. PoIi/Mi/if, the apex being as if truncated. Many examples of this variety occurred at Ega. Few were exactly alike ; some approach J/. Egueiisis, and others the var. 1 above described. Local var. 3Iechd with scabs, not hairy, the Icrminal joint slender and projecting in front oftlie forehead. Antenntu moderately short, and distinctly tliiekened towards the a])e\', fore-wint;- median nervure omittin!;- its first I)raneh at a short distance from the root of tlii' wing-, hind-winu' lower and middle disco-cellulars rnniiiiiLc at an obtnse annlc with the median ncrvnre ; both of the san\e length, directed obliipiely towards the costa near the a))ex (a little less ohlicine in the V than in the d), straight or very slightly bent, and withont recnrrcnt nervules : u])pcr disco-cellnlar in the rather long, joining the subcostal near its terminatioTi ; in the 9 short, joininii- the subcostal far from its termination. The costal and subeostal nervnres of the hind wini,^ in both sexes, are free and wide; apart. Fore tibiie and tarsi in the •' aborted; IV'inur not abbreviated: fore tarsi in the " slender filiform. The species of this uenns. such as were then known, were included by i)oul)ie(lay under his genus Scis ; they are, however, perfectly distinct from .SV//.s- both in the wiii^:- neuration and in the structure of the fore legs of the '. Most of the species mimic corresponding species of the allied genus llJioiiiic, in the same way as the Lepialhlcs (Id. In every locality where Ithoiiiuc are found in abundance, sjx-cies oi" Xajx'ogrucs arc almost sure to b(> found also, mimicking one or more of them, the lllioniuc beini;' always abundant, whilst their imitators are very generally scarce in individuals. The resend)lance between species of the two grou])s is so great that it is dillicult to imagine it not to be one of real aHinity ; the neuration of the wings, howevei- (a constant and im])ortant character), is a sure guide in distinguishing theni. They are always represented with this feature carefully marked in the beautiful figures given by ^Ir. Hewitson in his • I'>xotic Butt(^r(li(>s.' * Collar (1)1(1 iriii(/-l((i}p('lti oi-diific ; anleiiital (^lub less (ihrnjilln Ihickoted. 1. NAri;()f;i;xKs Cvriaxassa, ])ouI)leday. >«/.? ('ijrianassa, Douhld. and llewits. (ieii. Diuni. Lep. pi. Is. f". 1 . Ithoiii'ia ('ijriundxsa, llewits. I'.xot. l?utt. Ithoin'ia, iiir. 'J.'). Occurs at Tara, in humid ])artsof the forest, abundantly, it is distributed over a u ide area in the .Vmazon valley, l)ut in each locality it suliers niodilication. The amount of this modification is not in i)ro|)ortion to geoi;Tapliical distance. Thus, at I'onte lU)a, 1.">(MI miles to the west of I'ani, it scarcely dilfers from the I'ara ty|)e, having only the discal area of tlu^ hind wings less transparent; but on the banks of the ('u])ari, only .")<•(( miles west of rani (all th(>se places are in the same latitude), it e\i>ts only under the form of a well-marked and constant local variety or race (oui' .\". ^Idcl/ilic) : a slioi-1 distance (1.")') miles) to the west of Fonte Boa, it occurs aiiain as a distinct local variety (our X. TioKiHlhid). The species much resembles, when on the wing, C('i'(irnii(( yinoiiic, var. luo-ii. It is a slow flier, and, alt houuli abundant in individuals, is confined to limited areas in the districts where it is found. 534 MR. H. W. BATES ON THE LEPIDOPTERA 2. Xapeogenes Tunaxtina. 2 . Size, shape, and general colour of N. Cyrianassa. Apical yellow spot of the fore Aving oval in shape, rounded on its inner edge, sinuated in the middle, leaving the dusky crossbelt of undiminished thickness to the outer margin. Disk of the hind wing semi- opake, fulvous. Tlie rest as in N. Cyi'iauassa. Pound in the forest at Tunantins, north shore of the Upper Amazons. All the individuals seen were conformable to the above description. V>. Kapeogenes Adelpiie. <;" 9 . Size, shape, and general colour of N. Cijrianassd. The wings are throughout more 02>ake. The apical yellow spot of the lore wing is oblong, of nearly uniform width ; its inner margin has two slight siiuuitions : the l)lack transverse belt between it and the disk commences at the subcostal nervure, and is gradually attenuated to its termination on the outer margin. This constant local form diflers I'rom N. CiiriaHnssa more than N. Tinimdina does. It is peculiar to tlie forests of the Cuparl, a ])ranch river of tlie Tapajos. All the individuals found were constant to their type. 1. Ts^M'KOGENES Inaciiia, Hewitson. IlliDiiiiii liiachia, Hewits. Exot. Butt. Jlhomia, fig. fifi (not fi/)*. This sj)eeies closely resentblcs N Cyrici/assa in form and colours. The basal part of llic fore wing, however, has a rntlier larger extent of yellowish hyaline; the suljapical spot is regularly oblong oval, and the l)laek crossbelt is gradually narroAved, its edges ])eing straight, from the costa to the outer margin. The antenna> are entirely black, 'ilie hind wing l)eneath wants tlie basal costal yellow spot which is so constant in .V. Cyr'nriiassa and its local varieties. I'"()und in company with N. C'yi'hn/assa at I'ara. Althougli the two species are so closely allied and lly together, they appear to maintain themselves perfectly distinct. Notliing resemlding a ]iyl)rid example or connecting form ever occurred. I strongly suspect that we have here a case of mimetic adaptation ; because most of the numerous local varieties of A'. Jiiachiti iwv nujdilied to re))resent species of Itliomia occurring in the same localities. ;"). Napeogexes I'vkois. c< ?. Size, shape, and colour of antenna' of A'. Inaclda. The subajjical yellow spot of the lore wing, and its acconii)auying black crossbelt, as well as the broad fulvous boi'dcr of the hind wing, are also precisely the same. The ground-colour of the wings, ]u)wever, is (piite diiferent. The basal area of the fon^ wing and the discal ])ortioii of the bind wiiiL;' (with their iicrvures) ai'c straw-coloured aiul .sfiiiitransparent . The subniarginal * Fii;. 07 is given by Mr. llcwitsuii as a variotv (if liuirhia. It ditVcrs ciiily in colour, and is willuuil a doiiht a local \i\T\i-\x u\' Inorltiii. It occurs a))Uiuiaiitl_v at lialiia, wlu^rc it seems to uiiiiiic Ithnmia KurHuM iit that region. It should have a distinctive name lor the sake of clearness ; I iirojiose that of A'. ci'lj)/i(ii-,ii(i. OF rilE AMAZON VALI.FA'. 535 row of white spots on the fore wing is partly obsoh'tc. JJcncalli, it wants (like ,V. luachia) the ycUow sjjot of tlie hind wing at the base of the eosta. J\)Uii(l, ill cDinpaiiy \\ith X. Adclphc, on tiie hanks of tlif Cu[iaii. It is evidently a loeal niodiiiealiuu of .V. y/a/f/(/- Ithomia Inar/iia, var., Ilfwilsoii. Kxot. Butt. Jt/ioitti(i, fii^s. 1 1.5, 111. Tabatinga, neai' the IVontief of Peru, Upper Ama/.ons. 1 believe, with ]M r. Ilewitson, that it is a variety of X. Iiutchhi, but is a well-marked one, the product of a distinct area^ and constant in its differential characters; it merits, therefore, a separate nain(> and mention. I did not meet with it in any other part of the Amazon region, except the locality mentioned above. J )r. i'elder has received it from the I'pper Kio Xeuro. It is similar in colours to the X. sidpliio-uKt (the race of A', litachia peculiar to S. \\. Brazil), but differs from it in the broader black borders and the much paler colour with semi- transparency of the diseal areas of the wings. 7. XAi'icoaiONLs Eittii.i.A, Ilewitson. Ilhofiiin Errilln, Ilcwits. Kxot. Ikitt. Ithomia, fig. 12«. Found only at Tonte 15oa, on the Upper Amazons. It mimics \fry curiously in colours and markings a group of Illtom'uc which are peculiar to the .same part of the country, viz., l.yFJid, f. Jllliiissa, I. Prisc/l /a, and T. C/it/iUa. It agr(>es so nearly in all essential characters with A'. I,i"chi(i, notwithstanding the totally dillerent e(doration, that 1 think there can be no doubt it is another local form of that species, in support of this view, I would adduce that it is the only form of the A". 7/^r/r///V'-group found in the locality, where some one or other might be expected to occur, from being f.und al\sa\s in company with Jlltumuc. where these latter (>xist abundantly. I found it ilyiii- aiiioiiL;st a crowd of the above-named species, \\ithin a limited area in the interior of the forest; it was much rarer than the Tl hum id:, i\m\ (piitc undistinguishable from them on the wing. 8. NAi'HofiKXKs IrnitA, Ilewitson. Ithom'iu Itlira, Ilcwit.s. I'^xol. Butt. Itlioni'iu, fig. 71- AgrcH'swith liKicliin in the colour of tlu> body and antenna', but dilfers from it totally in the c(dours of the wings. 11 has a remarkable and evidi'iitly mimetie ri'semblanee to llhoinhi ('ijiiio. JJoth are jjeculiar to the neighbourhood of I'ara — the Uhoiuhi being very abundant, whilst X. Itlirc is an extremely rare species. t). Naim;o(;i;.\i:s ('(uikna, ilewitson. Ilhomia Cdreua, Iltwits. I'',xi)t. 15iitt. Ilhomia, fig. 112. I'ouiul only at St. I'aiilo. Agrees with Tiiachid in the eolom- ol' the lnnly and anteiiiKe, but is totally dillerent in the coloration of the wings from that and all the allied species VOL. X.X^lll. i C 536 MR. H. W. BATES ON THE LEPIDOPTERA or varieties. It wears, in fact, the peculiar livery of a species of Ithomia characteristic of the locality in which it is found, in this respect being like the two preceding species. ** Colhir (1)1(1 whi(]-J(ippots black ; antennal club more abriipllu thickened. 10. Napeogenes piierantiies, n. sp. c? ? . Expanse 2". Wings narrow ; shape and position of the black parts same as in N. Inachld, except that the borders are wider. Fore wing : above, with the Ijasal and apical hyaline areas faintly margined with purple, stained in the middle with light yellow, the black posterior border reaching and slightly passing the median nervure and its first branch ; outer margin spotless. Beneath, same as above, except that the marks which are black above are of a fulvous colour, and the apical margin has three white spots. Hind iriufi : abore, with the discal hyaline area faintly margined Avith purple, yellow in the middle ; the hind border wide and orange-coloured, margined with black, as in N. Inachia. Beneath, the same, except that the costa has a long fulvous stripe, and the outer margin a series of five white spots. Body black : collar and Aving-lappets spotted with white; a central line on the meso- thorax also white. Antennjt; black : club yellow. Taken at Eontc Bon. Rare. 11. Napeogenes ckocodes, n. sp. 6 . Expanse 2". Colours above and beneath almost precisely as in Naj^eogencs Pharo, Hewits. (Exot. Butt. Tthomia, figs. 143, IM). The hyaline areas are rather paler straw- colour, the wings much narrower. Antenna^ black ; clul) yellow. Body black ; collar and wing-lappets spotted with white ; a central line on the meso- thorax also white. Taken at Tal)atinga, in company with N. Pharo. It is evidently a local modification of N. pheranlhes, modified in colours to mimic N. Pharo. 12. Napeogenes Duessa, Howitson. Illwmia Dut'ssd, Ilewits. Exot. Butt. I//iom/a, fig. 137. I did not meet Avith this species myself. It Avas taken by M. dc Gand at Nauta, on the Upper Amazons. It Avill be useful to enumerate the rest of the described species Avhich I consider to belong to this genus : I inchule a description of a new one in the list. 1. N. ToEosA, IIcAvits. Exot. Butt. Ithomia, fig. 72. Mexico. 2. N. Lai;ina, Ibid. Ithomia, fig. 90. NcAV Ciraiiada. This is tlie mimetic analogue oi Ithomia Cclemia, IIcAvits. (1. c. Ithomia, fig. 22), found OF THE AMAZON VALLEY. B37 in the same country. Mr. Ilcwitson, iu the text, has called attention to the close resemblance, stating that he had been inclined to refer them to the same species. 3. N. Arn.LV, Ilewils. 1. c. Illiumia, fig. 127. New (iranada. This species, difTerent in style of coloration fi-om any llclicdiiidc found iu the Amazon region, affords another instance of the strange adaptive- resemblances existing m this geuus. It mimics a small group of Cernlutia- which arc also ])cculiar to New Granada, namely, C. (or Jlcloicea?) Villnlu (llewits. Exot. JUitt. lUiomw, fig. 12(!) and C. Canw {ib. fig. SI). 4. N. Xantuonk, n, sp. 6 . Expanse 2". ikdongs to our first section, and is pi'()bal)ly another loeal form of N. Inachid. "Wings elongate-narrow. Fore icing : ahurc, \\\i\i the black Ijordcrs and crossbclt arranged as in N. Tnacliia, except that the crosslxdt is much more obli(jU(>, com- mencing nearer the base of tlie wing; basal area opakc; l)riglit fulvous ; the crossbclt very broad on the costa, then narrower, but continuing of e(iual l)readth from the cell to the outer margin; subapical .spot oldong-oval, bright clear yellow ; outer margin spotless. Beneath, the same, except that there is a submargiual row of seven wliite spots. Jlind v'liKj : above, with outer margin from before the (Mid of the costa to the anal angle broadly l)lack, enclosing an orange-coloured stripe; discal area bright clear yellow. liciieatli, the same, except that the basal jiart of the costa is yellow, ami that there is a black stripe along the subcostal nervure, and a sul)marginal row of six white spots. Body dark grey ; collar aiul wing-lappets orange-coloured. Antennte black. Bahia and S. E. IJrazil. It somewhat resembles in its general colours Jlec/iouitis Xescca, a prolific species p(!culiar also to the same part of Brazil. 5. X. suLruuniN'A, nob. Itliontia Inacliia, var., llewits. Jvvot. Butt, lllioijiia, fig. G7. Bahia. Genus [iuomia, I)oul)leday. Doubid. and llewits. (ic-n. Diiun. Iajj. j). 122. I propose to limit this genus to those species in which the hind-wing (lisco-cellular nervule is placed so as to form a right or acute angle with the median jier\ ure, and is directed across the wing (instead of tow ards the apex) in both sexes. The head and palpi arc constructed precisely as in Ceeat'utiu, Sals, Meelianilin, and Xapeofjenes. The antenn;e are long, and thickened towards the ti[)S ; sometimes they are excessively elongated and filiform. J'hen when tluis limited, tlic genus contains a considerable diversity of forms, constituting grou2)s wliich perhaps have an equal right with CeraLuiia and ^apeojenes to be called genera. The chief groups are the three follow ing ; — 1. Jlhuiiila proper. The hind-wing lower radial is visible on the disk, and terminates on the hind margin, the median l)ranches not being widely separated. There is a long midille disco-cellular nervule which is directed obliquely outwards. The arrangement of the upper ratlial and Ic 2 538 MR. II. W. BATES ON THE LEPIDOPTERA upper disco-ocllular is very vai'ia1)lc, there being a gradatiou from those species which stand nearest to Cevatluia, which have an upper disco-cellular in both sexes, to those approach- ing Htjwcmt'is, in which this nervule disappears, the upper radial Ijeing then as a branch of the subcostal (in the $) or totally wanting (in the s in llijiiioiitls. IIi/iiH'i/i//s, therefore, exhil)ixtend more than lOO or 2(»() miles, although there are no apparent physical barriers to their dissemination ; and it is probable, from the nnnd)er of new ones received in colltTtions nuule in newly explored localities, that most of the Andean vallevs have their peculiar species. They are pmlilie insects, and gregarious in their liabits, flocks of many dillercnt sp(>cies associating together. Their llight is low and weak ; and they affect only certain parts of the forest, genei-ally shady hollows, where many hundreds may often bo seen sporting together, althounh not an individual i> fouiul in any otiier ])art of the neighbourhood. 1. Ttuomlv EriiiMKDiA, Cramer. Pajji/io Eurimedht, ("ram. Pap. V.xoi. t. lilf). f. C, D. — yEgle, Iliiljner, .Saiiinil. V,\. Sclini. A common .species at Tara and tliroughout the Lower Amazon region. Tt is oflei! f )un(l in comjjany with Lei>Ui]is l^iniieVKt, to which it has so great a resemblance that the two seem to b(> of the same species when on the wing. It is found .also at .'>urinam (in com- pany w ith the Lep(alis) ; and I have examples from Bahia, in S. Iv Brazil, where a \ aiietv of it also occurs which is widely disseminated over South and cxtra-tropieal ]5razil. 2. Tthomlv XrsK, Cramer. Papilio Nise, Cram. I'ap. Kxot. t. J.il. f. I'^i. Selene, Cram. Pap. Kxot. t. .51,'>. f. F, G. — — Xeao, Iliibn. Sainml. F-x. Sclnn. Cramer's tigures of this species are very bad ; but T think they are recognizaI)le with the assistance of the descriptions in the text, and that they rei)rescnt the same specie's as that figured by Iliibner under the name of AY'.s'ci. It is an abundant species ;\t Bai'.-i, but is not found anywliei'c else in the Amazon region, i have spt^ciincns of both sexes from Demerara, and tiiui that they do not differ from I'ara examples; at Cayenne, lu)wever, a local variety ])revails in which both wings have above a submarginal row of pale spots, and the general c(dom- is nuich paler. It is the only /(/io)///a known to me in \\lucli the sexes are strikingly diffeivnt in ap[)carancc. The wings of the " are more trae.spareut, and much jialer in colour that those of the ?, especially the discal area of the hind wing. The peculiar texture of the surface of the wings is owing to the extreme fineness of the scales with wliieli they are covered. I consider /. J:ar(i (llewits. Ivxot. Ibitt. Illiomid, f. 23), which occurs on tin; banks of the Xapo, a local modiflcalion of this species, several connecting forms being known, 'i'he very lieautiful lohiia (llewits. /. c. f. 1)7) of New Granada is probably also another local variety *. * /. Tutiu, Ili'wits. Kxot. IJiitt. Illtamin, ii. (i (a species allicif to 1. .W.sc), is givoii as an .Vma/oniau species erroneouslv. It is a native of Venezuefa. 540 MR. H. W. BATES ON THE LEPIDOPTERA 3. Ituomia rcECiLA, n. sp. d . Expanse 2" 2'". Texture of the wings precisely as in I. Nise ; but both wings are considerably narrower, as in I. Azara. Fore ivlng : above, seniitransparent, with the basal half orange-tawny ; the costal edge, the hind margin, a narrow triangular spot at the Ijase of the cell, and two rounded ones placed obliquely at the end of the cell blackish; the apical third of the wing dusky black, the space between this part and the orange- tawny basal part occupied hy a rather broad, oblique, light-yellow crossbelt ; the inner edge of the black apical part has many indentations, and near the hind angle there is a narrow dusky streak running from the outer margin halfway along the second median branch. Beneath, the same, except that there is a row of 5-6 small Avhite spots very near the outer mai'gin, and a series of \<-o fulvous spots across the dusky-black apical part. Ilind whuj semitransparent : above, orange- tawny, with a straight macular stripe along the disk running behind the cell, composed of four semioval spots, which are connected to- gether, and a marginal row of four or live nearly semicircular spots, all black. Beneath, the same, except that the costal edge is yellowish, and that there is a marginal row of six small white spots. Body blackish ; thorax spotted with greenish yellow ; abdomen beneath wholly greenish yellow. (Antenmc wanting). My example of this species was received from Bogota, Xew Granada. There is a specimen in the British Museum from Xauta, Upper Amazons. 4. Ituomia Svnnova, Ilewitson. JlJiom'ni Si/iiiiova, Ilewits. E\ut. Butt. Ithom'iu, f. lofJ. A distinct and beautiful species, found only in the forest at Tunantins, on the northern bank of the Upper Amazons. Its nearest relative is no doubt the following, /. Gunllla. 5. Ituomia Guxilla, Ilewitson. Ithomla GuiiUlii, Ilewits. Exot. Butt, llliuin'iu, f. 130. Found at Fontc Boa, Upper Amazons, flying in company with the two folloAving. All three stand in the closest relationship with each other ; they are identical in colours, differing only in tlieir arrangement or pattern. They all seem to keep themselves perfectly distinct. ('). Ituomia ruisciLLA, Ilewitson. ItliDia'ut I'riscillu, Hewits. Exot. Butt. Ithuniia, f. 1.51. J'^onte Boa ; equally abundant with the preceding and following. 7. Ituomia Illinis.sa, Ilewitson. (PL LV. fig. Ga). Illiumia llUiiissa, Ilewits. Exot. Butt. Ithomla, f 2 and 132 (aberration). This sp('(,'ies has a wider range than the two preceding, being ft)iuid nuich further eastward, at I^ga, and prolialily also west\\ard in Peru. I found, at Ponte ]5oa, Avith the type, a few individuals of a variety which connects the species with /. I'rincilla. I OF THE AMA7,ON VALLEY. 541 am inclined to think that all throo aro modifications of one and the same species. They may have arisen in separate localities, and liave hecn al'ter^vards l)rou<;ht l)y altered distrihiition into contact ; l)ut il is not necessary to suppose tliis, as the UIiuiu'kc always pair with their exact counterparts, so that separation is prohahly not reijuisite to aid the segrei^ation of races, when tlie variations have once arisen. The flocks of Butterflies, all of the same colour, and iindistinguishalde from one another •when on the wing, which fly together in the same; dry hollows of the forest at J'onte Boa, comprise, besides the three preceding species, also a fourth Ithouiin (/. ^EVm, belonging to a difl'erent section of the genus) and Xapoo(jencs ErclUa. A LcpldHs (1*1. I.\ . fig. G), coloured in the same way, occurs in company with /. lliniissd, at Ega ; and an Ithomeis* {I. aio'antidcd, belonging to the widely diU'ennit family Ei'iicuiUUe) flies * Itiiomkis, nov. gcii. (raiiiily Ekycimd.i,). Allied to Lywnn'.? and Phe!es. Facies of Iffioniiri, having similar elongated fore wings and wliilisli spots near tlie apex, imitating the transjiarent ones usual in the species of that genus. Head clothed with even, soft hair-scales : palpi extremely short, thick, thinly and smoothly clad with scales. AntenniT moderately slender, elongate, not pale-ringed ; thickened towards the apex into an elongate, slender, com- pressed cluh. Fore wing elongate, apex more or less rounded : suhcostal and median nervures straight ; the former two- branched, emitting its first branch just liefore, its second much beyond, the end of the cell : upper disco-cellular very short ; middle disco-cellular mtudi longer, transverse ; lower disco-cellular slanting outwards, nearly |)erfectly tubular, joining the median beyond its second I)ranch. llind wing snboval ; upper radial appearing as a continuation of tlie subcostal, the terminal ])art of the subcostal -placed as a branch of it ; middle disco-cellular short, transverse ; lower disco-cellular in the same relative position as in the fore wing. Legs thinly clad with scales, stout ; fore legs of the cf densely h.airy ; fore legs of the 2 long, thinly clad, claw-joint very large, oblong-oval, claws minute. In the shape and clothing of the liead, palpi, and antenna', this genus is extremely similar to Lijmnna, Pheles, Zeonia, Themone, and the allied genera. Its nearest relationship is with Pheles, from which it ditTers in the second suhcostal branch of the fore wing lieiug emitted after, instead of before, the end of the cell. The s])ecies of Pheles have somewhat the aspect of Ithomiie and Staluchtes, but those oi Ithomeis have a much closer rcsenihlauce to those genera. \. Ithomeis ai^rantiaca, n. sp. S . Kx]iausc 1" '.)" . Fore icinf/ : nhnre, black : a long triangular spot at the base of the cell, a smaller one just after the cell, a rounded one between the 1st and 2ud median branches, and a belt of three similar spots across the wing, between the radials and the '2nd and .'?rd median branches, whitish ; the costal margin at the base, a large spot between the median and i)ostmcdian nervures, and a narrow, somewhat regular, submarginal band beginning on the costa, running ])arallel to the outer margin, arched, and reaching the hind margin, orange. Benea/h, the same. Hitiff winff : ahnrr, orange, the whole margin narrowly, and a large triangular spot on the basal part of the disk, black. Beneath, the same, except that there are two white spots at the base of the wing. Antenna? black. Body black ; forehead silvery white ; abdomen beiu-atii orange. Found at Caii-ara, between Ega and Fonte Boa, iu com])any with Ithumia .E/ia, which it very much resei:d)led on the wing. 2. Itiiomkis Stalaciitina, n. sp. ex, white. Beueiith, the same, except that the tawny-orange marks near the base appear as distinct stripes, and that there is a short, narrow, obscure tawny belt parallel to the outer margin. Jlim/ winff : above, black ; a broad tawny-orange stri|)e begins at the base, runs along the .abdmuinal margin, bending before reaching the anal angle, and continues thence to the apex ; there is also a dull tawny-orange s])ot iu the middle of the costal margin. Beneath, the same, exce]>t that there are two white spots at the base. Body and anteuim; black ; forehead silvery white ; abdomen beneath orange. 542 MR. H. W. BATES ON THE LEPIDOPTERA with Tfliomiri ^TUl'ia in anothei" locality. A species of Bomhyeide Motli {Dioptls JEllana, PI. LV. fig. 10) is also seen minyled Avitli the crowd in the forests of Fonte Boa. None of these are found in any other part of the Amazon region, nor indeed in any other part of America, to my knowledge, than the places inhabited by their counterparts. Found at Eg.i, in company with Stalachtis Buvalii and Ithomia Theoaoe, var. Lysiuo'i. I think there can be no doubt it is of the same stock as Ithomeis aunintiaea, and has become modified in colours by natural selection, like Lepfdlis Li/sliio'(\ to ada])t it to the |irolific and flourishing Stciliic/ifi.f Duvalii. 3. IlllOMEIS IIki.ICONINA, 11. SJ). c? . Expanse 1" 2'". Fore iriny : ahove, black ; a large Iriangular spot on the basal part of the disk, traversed by the median nervure and its first branch, a short crossbelt beyond the cell, traversed by the costal, uj)per and lower radials, and ."rd median branch, white ; a narrow submaiginal cmved belt, beginning on the costa and ending near the hind margin, reddish. Beneath, the same. Iliiid wing : above, black, with the disk (behind the cell), including the central jiart of the abdominal margin, greyish white, semitransparent ; the nervures dusky : the broad' black bind border bus a narrow reddish-oiauge stripe in its middle. Beneath, the same, exce])t that there is a white spot at the base. Body and anteiiiise black ; forehead silvery white ; abdomen beneath orange. Fomid at St. Paulo, flying in company with Ithomia. Itei-dina, which it resembles when on the wing. •1. Ithomeis mimica, n. sp. cJ 2 . Expanse 1" .'i'"-]" !)'". Fore ivin found in the Inrests of the Ciipari', a lirani'h of the TajiajdS, in company with Ithomia Flora. It is in .■leeordanee wilh the ii>t iif the faels of ada|itive reM'mblaiuvs hiTc recorded, thai this Ithomeis, the I.eptalis of the loealily ( //. Theonoe), and the Ithnmia wliieb they both mimic ( /. Flora), are all much more transjiareiit and cleari-r in colour tlian their allied forms of the I'pper Amazons. 1 believe that all the five species of Ithomeis liere described belong to (me stock. It is remaikable that the colours (jf the anteiin.-e and body are iilentical in all live. This seems to show that the modifications have jilayed only upon till' colours of the wings, and this strictly in aee(n-dance with the Ithomia- or ! tln'om^Hiout tlie r])per Amazon rei;-ioii, where it seems to take the place of Uhom'ia Flore, which is ])eculiar to the rei:ion nearer the Atlantic. I believe it to be a local modification of /. Flora. A Leplalh of similar colours {^L. yichnioe, PI. \N . fig. 2) and a l?ombycide Moth {])io]ttin Oiicc/n) aecomjiany it. Tlu> L('iit"lis is undoubtedly a variety or descendant from the stock of L. Thcoiioe, which, we have seen, inhabits only those ])laccs where ftliouiid Flora occurs. Lt'jdnltx Mclanoii has been found nowhere but in company \\\\\\ lUnnn'ia Oucya. 10. Itiiomlv Flora, Cramer. (PI. LV. iig. 1 a.) I'ajtitio Flora, Cramer, I'ap. Exot. t. L',)/. f. 15, C (poor figure). Ithomia Flora, Ileuitsoii, Exot. I5iitt. Itltnmiu, f. G8, G9. Er/ra, ibid., f. 1 (a slif^ht aberration). This s[)ccies al)ounds in the forests of the Amazon Delta, and as far up the river as the banks of the Cui)ari (a l)rauch of the Tapajos), 120 miles above the mouth of that river. Unlike the Uhomhe of the I'pper Amazons, its Avings have a \-ery large portion of their surface ehvar of scales and transjjarent. Lcplalls T/ieonoe {VI. LN . tig. 1), Napcoijcnca lUrra, and tlie l?ond)ycide ^[oth Diopti.'i C'l/ma, have a great resemblance to it, and are found only in the regions which it inhabits. Diopliti Ci/)iia, however, is a)i exception ; it has ac(|uire(l a wider ranue, being found at Ega, wliere no cl(>ar-wing(>d Ithnmuc are met with. The Ilhomui'. increase in transparency in receding from the ('(piator. 'I'hey are niunerous in \'en(v,uela. South Brazil, and Mexico. The tendency to transparency reaches its acme in llhomia {lliinicuith) diaphana of Jamaica. Nearly all the species oi' the Ui)i)er Amazon region Jiave o])ake wings. 11. Tth()mi.\ Doto, IFiibner. Ilhoinia Doto, Iliibner. Saniml. Exot. Schmett. Sisera, Hewits. Exot. Mutt. Illiomia, f. C. Abundant on the liauks of the Tocantins. at Paiao. Fouiul also at Para. VOL. XXIIl. -1. I) 544 MR. H. W. BATES ON THE HELICONIDE LEPIDOPTERA 12. Itiiomia Antisao. IthoMui Sao, Hewitson, Exot. Butt. Ithomia, f. 110, 111. This form requires to l)o distinguished by fi separate name from I. Sao of niibner, although it he only a loeal variety of it, on account of its Avings Ijcing less clear, the nervures tinged and bordei'cd with reddish, and the hind-wing border having a reddish stripe wit) 1 in it. The true Sno of llul)ner, of which I examined the typical example in Dr. JJoisduval's collection, has very clear wings, sharply defined nervures, and the hind- wing border wholly dark ])rown. I did not find this in the Amazon region, the whole of the cxam})lcs collected agreeing with the figs. 110, 111 of Hewitson. On the Up})er Amazons it is an extremely abundant species. "With this species comnKnices the tendency to detcirmination of the hind-wing neuration towards the costa. In the d the upper radial is placed as a branch of the subcostal near the apex, and consequently there is no upper disco-cellular nervule. In the 9 the upper radial is connected with the cell I)y means of an upper disco-cellular, in the same way as in the typical Ithomia I. Flora and its allies. 13. Ithomia Tucuxa, n. sp. 6 ?. Expanse 1" 9"'-2" 1'". Closely resembles in shape, markings, and neuration Il.homia Zei'llna (Hewitson, Exot. Butt. Ithomia, f. 94-9G). Differs in colours. Foiv lo'nnf hyaline : attorn, the entire margin evenly bordered with dark brown, which colour also forms a short oblique belt running from the costa across the end of the cell; the hyaline part brownish, with a large spot in the middle of the cell, a crossbelt beyond the cell, and a- row of elongate s])ots between the nervures, near the margin, light yellow; the costal stigma, with the nervurc.'s crossijig it, and the bas(^ of the upper radial light yellow. licnaath, tlie same, excejjt that the outer margin, from the costal stigma to the liind angle, is orange-coloured, edged with black, and that there are two white spots at the ap(!x. Wild lo'nig : attorc, more ])roa(lly margined with dark l)rown, except on the abdominal edge; tile whole I)asal part of the disk, extending to the al)dominal margin, with the nervures traversing it, light yellow ; an elongate spot over the lower radial, also, same colour. licncalh, the same, except that the margin is orange, edged witli black, and that tlicre is a marginal row of five white spots set in jjlack semicircles. JJody I)lack ; thorax spotted with white; ahdomen yeUow beneatli. Antenna^ black; ehib oi'ange-yellow. A])un(lant in liiiniid pai'ts of tlie forest, at St. i'aulo, Upper Amazons. The hind-wing u])per radial is totally wantin;;' in the rf. It. Iriio.MiA Salai'ia, Hewitson. ItlKiinlii Sa/ii/iia, Ilcwits. Exot. Butt. Itlioiii'ia, {'. If). The collar and wing-lappets are rufous, and the anteiuial club yellow; otherwise it very closely resembles /. Primnla. 15anks of the Napo. OF THE AMAZON VALLKY. 545 15. Itkojita \'estilla, Ilcwitson. Ilhomia Vcstilla, llcwits. Exot. Butt. //Aowu/, f. 17. W'l'v ahuiidant in the forests ol' tlic I'ppor Amazons. It is always seen in company with /. Aii/isco; at Ega those two species seem to prefer each other's comi)any to tliat of any of their kindred. At Fonte Boa there were two phiecs in the forest ))eopled I)y Ithom'KC: one was tenanted only hy /. lUinissn and its allies, as already described; the otlicr hv /. Aiitisdo, T.VcstUlii, J. firi/iii/f, and 1.0iic(j(i. The same occurred at St. i'aiilo : their societies were there increased by tlie attendance of /. Oricud. The hind-wini,' upper radial is deficient in the <' , and is placed as a l)ranch of tlie sub- costal a short distance after the cell in the 2 . This is a further approximation towards Ilymoiilis. 10. Ituomia rui.Mii.A, n. sp. c^ ?. In size, shape, and markings, identical Avitli /. Vcsdlhi. It difTers in colours. The livaline i)arts of th(> win^s in their centres are sul])liur-y(>llow, as also tlu; nervures which traverse them. h\ the fore wing there are two dusky lines, instead of one, i-xtend- ing from the short black stripe at the end of the cell, naim^ly, one accompanying the 2nd, ami the other the 3r(l median branch. The dark border of tlu; hind wing is much wider than it is in /. J'cslilht. These points of dilfercnce arc constant in all the examples (many hundreds) whicii I examined. I belieAc, however, that /. Frimida and /. J'cslUhi have descended IVom tin; same stock at no remote period. The grades of modification have not been found, and probably no longer exist ; but allied species show, l)y their vai'iations, a segregation in progress of two or mori; sjxH-ies from one stock not less dissimilar than the two s])eci(S in question. The range of/. I'rimula does not coincide with that of /. VcstUld. It is not found at Ega, which seems to be the head-quarters of /. VrslHld, l)ut makes its first appearance furtlier west, at St. Paulo, where it is more al)undant than its sister species. The hind-winu' uppei' radial is totally wanting in llieo, and is placed, as a branch of the subcostal, a long distance beyond the end of tlie cell in the ?. 17. IiiioMiA .Ei.iA, llfiwitson. Ithomiu yEliu, Ili'wits. ICxot. Hutt. llhoin'in, fig. 7. As before stated, this species ilies in company with the similai'ly coloured /. ///u/ins", I. Gnnilld, and /. VriHcilln. It dilfers from them cimsidiu-ably in the neuration, the iqiper radial being placed as a branch of the subcostal after th(> cell in the V, although .unlike l.VcNiilhi and /. I'rii/i/'/") it is present in the J and connected with the ceil by means of an iqiper disco-cellular nervule. It is found at l']ga, and at vaiious places in the forest thence to Eontc Hoa. 18. rni():\nA Oi;omna, Ilcwitson. Ilhomia Orolina, liuwits. Kxot. Hutt. Ilhomia, fig. Ml, d ■ Pound abundantly at St. I'atilo. Expanse 1" 7"'. It is a very variable si)ecies ; and one at least of tlie varieties appears 1 J) 2 546 MR. H. W. BATES ON THE HELICONIDE LEPIDOPTERA to have reached an advanced stage of segregation from the parental stock. They all fly together in the same places, and their differences are so slight and graduated that they cannot fittingly l)e treated as independent forms or species. They are as follows : — Var. 1. I. Anreola. 2 . Size and general colours of /. Orull/zo. Fore wiiuj : aborc, with a complete black border; the apical part has a large, broad, ol^long, opake orange spot occupying more than one-third of the wing ; posteriorly the spot reaches only the 2nd median branch, but covers entii-ely the 3rd ; interiorly it is bordered by the short dusky belt running across the end of the cell : rest of the wing clear, transparent. Beneath, the same, except that there are three greyish-white spots at the apex. Hind ioinf/ clear, transparent, the nervures edged with Ijlackish ; costal and posterior margins widely bordered with blackish, the latter having a rufous line in the centre. Beueat/i,th.(ixnaY<^'n\s are orange-coloured, bordered with blackish, the margin without spots. Body and antenna- black ; thorax with a few faint whitish marks. Pound in company witli /. Orolind, Avhose 2 usually does not differ in markings from the cJ . It is a mere variety of the 2 , but necessary to distinguish, as it connects together the extreme modifications of the species. Var. 2. /. Oneid'ui. ?. In size, shape, and markings, similar to /. Oroliua. Fore icing : ahore, with a complete narrow dusky border ; the apical part has an arcuated orange lielt, whicli is in- distinctly limited on the inner side, but reaches nearly the hind angle, and leaves both the 2nd and ord median l)ranc]ies visible for the greater part of their lengtli ; rest of the wing transparent : the cell in middle })art is broadly fuliginous ; there is a thick dusky belt across the end of the cell, and tlu* median branches are edged with l)lackish ; a spot over the end of the cell and two spots Ijetween the median branches milky white. Beneath, the same, except that the apical margin of the wing has a greyish-white stripe. Hind ioi)ifi broadly margined with Idackish, the hind 1)order having in the middle a narrow orangc^coloured line ; the whole of the discal portion, witli its nervures, milky white. Beneath, the same, except that the margins liave a broadish orange line, widely margined with dusky, and the apex has a short greyish-white stripe. Body and anti'iina' lilack ; head aiul tliorax witli a few faint whitisli marks. This variety of the 2 is interesting, as furuisliini;- proof of the variability in colour, from smok}' hyaline to milky white, of the discal j)ortions of the wings and their nervures. We can understand from this liow ItJajmia Ih'rdina, and its \\\\\\^Xi^x LepUdis Leitconoe, may have originated. Var. 3. /. ChriiHodonia. (I'l. LVI. lig. Za.) Very similar in colours and markings to /. Ondina, but much larger; the hind wings in the cf different in shape. rf ?. Expanse 2'' 1". Fore ivinif the .same in colours and markings as 1. Orolina (fig. cit.), the only diirerences bcuiig that the orange belt of the apical border is neatly margined with blackish on its inner side, between the 2nd and ord median branches, and OF THE AMAZON VALLEY. 517 tliat it wants, beneath, tlie <^rcyish-\vliit(' marginal strii)L' at llic apex ; tlic ii|)])cr disco- cellular is rather longer. Hhid tciiKj with the costal edge niueli more dilalcd before tlie apex than iu /. Orulnia, and the apex itself in consequence is more broadly and transversely truncated; the two radials are much closer together, the upper partly atrophied, ami the lower not visible on the disk ; the third median l)raneh is directed more towards the apex of the wing; the colours of the hind wing are the same as in /. Oroliita, except that the dusky border is deeper in colour, more distinctly limited, and has an orange stri])e runnin;;- througli the middle, which is most distinct towards the apex. Beneath, it wants the short grey-wiiitc macular marginal stri])e at the apex. Body and antenna- black; head and thorax with a few faint white markings. Tiic elongate cup-like depression between the costal aiul subcostal nervures of the iiind wing in the cf, connected with the pencil of hairs, is much larger in tills form than in /. Orolina. This is the most abuiulant form of the species, and sliould be properly tai[)t that the nervures around the eiul of the cell are oi'anuc-colonred. and the margiiud sj)ots near the apex are large and of a clear grey white. Hind icliig oblong, costal border bi'oad, a|)ex rounded; outer mariiinwith a broad dusky border, in the middle of which runs a broad orange stripe; t be hyaline disk i- whitish, till' m'r\ ures dusky. Jlfiicatli, the oblong pouch near thi' cost:i is nnicii larL^er than in LC/ii\i/sodoiii(( ; colours as abo\(', excej)t that there is near the apex a nuiruinal row of four elinigat<> greyish-white spots. Body and antenna' l)lack ; head and thorax with a few i'ainl white marks. The hind- wing lower radial (t') is not visibh' on the disk, aiul the upper radi;d is partially aborted. Taken, in ctmipany with the four preceding, at St. I'anlo. 19. Itiiomia Sari:pt.\, Hewitson. Ithomid Sarcjita, Ilcwit.s. Exot. IJntt. Illiomin, fiir. ■^■ Eound at Barra, on the llio Xei^ro, I)y myself; and at Quia, several hundred miles further up the same river, by Mr. "Wallace. 1 did not fiiul it at St. I'aulo. I treat this as an independent lorm, l)ecause it ap))ears to have st'iiarated itself com- 5iS MR. H. W. BATES ON THE HELICONIDE LEPIDOPTERA pletely from tlic ])arental stock, /. OroUua, and iiiliabits a distinct area of country. Illioiuia CUlonla (llcwitson, Exot. Butt. Ilhomla, fig. 122), of New Granada, is another local race of the same stock. /. Sarepta comes nearest to /. Aiwcllana, and I, Cidoiiia to /. Chrijsodonia. The five varieties found mingled together at St. Paulo cannot be thus separated, altliough they show, as we have seen, differences of structure as well as of colour and markings. They form a graduated series, and have not reached the stage of (•omplete segregation. The differences in the veining of the mngs are evidently the correlated result of the altered shape and increased or diminished size of the wings. I considiH- this Orollmi grouj) cii Ithotnice to he nearly equivalent to the 7//i«z.s*<'' group; tlic difference between tlie present condition of the two is that in Ithomla Orolina and its allies the segregation of the forms is only partially complete, whilst in I. Illun.sfia and its Icindred it is almost perfc^ctly so. A variety of Leplalis Lysinoe {L. Erytliroe, PI. LVI. figs. 1, 2, 3), a Napeogenes [N. ('orciKi), and a Bombycide Moth {Diop)t'ts, n. sp.), all assimilated in colours to L. Oro- lliia and its varieties, occur in company with them at St. Paulo. 20. I'PHOMIA Oriana, Ilewitson. IllKini'iti Oriana, Hcwits. Exot. Butt. Ithomla, fig. 134. Abundant at St. Paulo, in the moister parts of the forests. 21. Itiiomia Virginia, Ilewitson. (PL LVI. fig. lower, strongly angulated in its middle, and emitting- a recurrent nervule : ujjper disco-celkdar rather long, transverse, joining the subcostal at about one-half the lengtli of the wing. The great reseml)huice in colours aiul markings between the species ol' Jfc'!iii(C'( and those o\' 3f{'cli(t)i// is has led to the confounding of the two n-en(>ra ; in other words, a relation of analogy has been mistaken for one of allinity, just as in the case of the two subfamilies Jlclicotii/tcC' aiul ])iiii of the male, aiul neuration of the hind wind's. Some species of Mt'liiuca so nearly rescmlile s])ccies of Jlt'c/i(niilis, tliat they might easily be mistaken for them. 'J'lie two an.alogons forms accompany eacli other; l)ut 1 think 1 found ])roof that they are not mln/i/ci/ onv to the other, in the fact that the species of the two genera do not coincide in any locality on the Amazons, but vary and sescrcijate races without any nuitual specillc similarity, 'i'hey are very frequently accompanied by a llcUconUts assimilated to them in colours 550 MR. H. W. BATES ON THE HELICONIDE LEPIDOPTERA and markings : in the case of tliis genus, adaptation seems to be intended. The following are all the cases of this complex association known to me : — Nicaragua. Ileliconius Zuhnka. Molinfea Ilezia. Mechanitis, n. sj). New Granada. Ileliconius Ismenius. Melina^a Mcssatis. No Mechanitis. The new species mentioned are contained in the British Museum Collection. Upper Amazons. Heliconius Pardalinus. Melinsea Pardalis. No Mechanitis. Ileliconius Aurora. Meliutea Lucifer. No jNIechanitis. Para. Ileliconius, n. sp. Heliconius Sylvana. Melin;ea, n. sp. Melinsea Egina. Mechanitis Meuophilus. No JMechanitis. East Peru and Bolivia. Helicouius Numata. Heliconius, n. sp. Melincea Mneme. Mclintea, n. sp. Mechanitis Mothonc. Heliconius Ethra. Mechanitis Nesiea. No Meliniua. Rio Janeiro. Heliconius E aerate. Mechanitis Lysimnia. No Mcliniva. 1 . ^IklinjKA Egina, Cramer. PapUio Egma, Cram. Pap. Exot. t. 191. 1'. 1). • Luduvica, Cram. Pap. Exot. t. 2!t7. f. E. 'IMiis is n ('ommon sjiecies throughout t he Amazon region, and appears to he very con- slant in character throughout the whole area. The cJ fore legs arc in a more rudimentary corulition than in other species of the genus, the tihire and tarsi forming simply an eloiigatiM'onical point at the apex of the femur. It tlies, in company with 3Icchanilis PoJilinn'id, l\[cVni legs in the u. It is found at Kya. In my example the yellow belt across the end of the cell in the forcAving is less distinct than it is in Cramer's figure; the apical half of the wing is black, with two yellow macular belts, as in .]/. Tjj'iiki ; there is a black s])ot in the angle formed ])y the first median nervure and its first branch ; and the marginal row of jiale spots is indistinctly marked. t. ]\Ielix,ka Licii Kit, n. sp. ?. Expanse 2" '.)"'. Similar in size and general appearance to M. Mnciuc; diU'ersfrom it in the absence of the yellow cross1)elt, and the ])resence of a very laru-e subapical yellow spot on the fore wing. Fore ichuj : vhnrc, tawny orange; the costal margin near the base, a stripe along the middle of the hind margin, an irregular s])ot within the cell before the middle, a short oblicjue belt across the end of the cell touchinn' the costa, a spot between the 1st and 2nd median branches near the median nervure, and the a])ieal fourth of the -vving black; the black apical part extends along the outer mai-iiin. and is conn(X'ted with an oblong spot which ascends between the 1st and 2n(l median l)ranches ; tlun-c is a yellow spot on the costa, at the end of the cell, and a very large oblom;- yellow .spot in the middle of the ajjical ])art, crossed by three nervures ; near the middle of the black outer border are two large orange-tawny submargiual spots. Ucuculh, the same; margin spotless. lllnd v:lii(i : r'/;r;r/', tawny orange ; a stripe ahmg tlie costa from the l)ase to the apex, and a very laruc rounded spot which occupies the anal half ol' the wim;', black ; tliere is also a small black spot l>etween the two radial nervures. Ilciirnlh, the same; mar^iin spotless. Body and auteniue precisely as in .V. ^Tnciiip and M. Fji'mn. Foi-e til)ia' and tarsi of the f^ elongated, but much shorter than the femur. St. Paulo; Upper Amazons. Its mimetic analogue, //f'//cY7///«.s' ^«/'o/v/, was found in its company. 5. Mi;i.ix.KA M.KNiis, llewitson. Mcchamtis Mamins, Ilrwits. ICxol. Butt. Mechctnitis, fig. C. This species was plentiful at I'^ga. 0. Mki.in.ka IMahms, llewitson. MecfuDiitis Murlus, Ilcwits. l'".\<)t. Hiitt. Mcclianitis, fig. G, ?. M/irsn-us, Ilcwits. /. c. fig. 10, ,< . .\lso plentiful at Ega, in comjiany with JJ. JLcniiDi. The two sexes are somewhat dis- similar in the colours of the wings. VOL. XX in. 4 li 552 MR. H. W, BATES ON THE HELICONIDE LEPIDOPTERA 7. Melin.ea Pardalis. Mechaniiis Maehis (part), Hewitson, Exot. Butt. Mechanitis, fig. 9. Mr. Hewitson cousidcrecl this form to be a variety of M. Ilaelns : both vrere very abundant at Ega, and I did not find them to intermingle ; it will be better, therefore, to keep them apart. The two sexes are alike in colours, as in the vast majority of the Ileli' coiudcc. I did not meet with A[. FardaUs at St. Paulo ; but at Tabatinga, 80 miles further west, it again occurred, not however under precisely the same form as at Ega, but in a modified state, the yellow crossbclt and the spot at the hind angle of the fore wing having liecome of the same dark orange-brown hue as the rest of the wing. The same trans- formation of colour takes place in many species of IleUeoiiidce in travelling from east to west, and I am inclined to think it is due to the direct action of the physical conditions of the localities on the early states of the insects. s. Melin.ea Mnasias, Hewitson. Mechan/tis Mnasuis, Ilcwits. Exot. Butt. Mechnnttis, fig. 5. Found at Para, where it is rare. The species mimics most accurately in colours the Ccratlnia Nliioiiid, var. Barll. Genus Tithorea, Doubleday. Doubled, and Hewits. Gen. Diurn. Lep. p. 99. 1. TiTiioitEA IIarmonia, Cramer. PupUio Harmonia, Cram. Pap. Exot. t. 190. f. C, Tithorea Mei/ara, Doubled, and IIe«its. Gen. Diurn. Lep. pi. 14. fig. 2. Cramer's figure was made from an aberrant example, in which, as frequently happens in the Ilclicouldce, the Ijlack central stripe of the hind wing is partially connected with the hind border ; on tliis account Doubleday and other authors have passed it over, and given a new name to the species. The figvuT, however, is a very fair one, and recogni- zable l)y the tricuspid t(-rmination, on the outer border, of the fore-wing central yellow crossbelt, which distinguishes the species from all others. It is fouiul pretty generally throughout the Amazon rt^gion, in the moister parts of the forest, and in company with Mclu/wo JIiie»/e, Ilcchaiiitifi Poli/iiinUi, &c. 2. TlTUOREA CUPARINA. rf ?. Size, .shape, and general coloration of T. ILiniioiiid. Fore w'nifj: dborc, with tli(! basal half orange-tawny, th(! outer edge of this colour running very obliquely from tlie middle of the costa to tlie outer margin ; this is followed liy an irregular and oblique cl(!ar yellow belt wliicli crosses the costal part of tlu? end of the cell aiul tei-minates in an ol)tus(! point in tlie middle of tlic outer margin ; the a])ical part beyond the yelloAV belt is l)lack, and is crossed in the middle l)y three yellow spots ; tlic liasal third of the costa, the medimi nervur'(r to the 1st branch, and the whole of the hind margin are bordered with lilack, bedsides whieli tlien? are three black spots on the disk of the wing, namely, a triangular one in the middle of the cell, one across the end of tlie cell, and one between OF THE AMAZON VALLEY. 553 the 1st and 2n(l nuMlian Ijranehes. Beiieath, the same, exeept that there is (in some examples) a row of lour white spots along the outer margin. Uiud iciiiff precisely as in T. ILirmonia, namely, tawny-orange, w it h a l)r()a(l stripe along the fore margin not reaching the costa or the apex, an outer l)order, \\id(>ning towards the anal angle, and a central stripe from the ahdominal edge to the lower radial, crossing part of the cell, black. Beneath, the same, except that there is a row of fourteen silvery -white submarginal spots. Common on the hanks of the Cui)ari (branch of the Tapajos), where it re])laees T. Ilarmonht, of which it is a tolerably well-marked local variety. I found it only in the district just named ; whilst T. Jlormonio ranges, imder its typical form, over a wide tract of country, from Surinam, I'ani, and the Tocantins to the baiiks of the Upper Amazons. Subfamily 1 1 K LICOX I X .E *. Genus Ukliconius. Heliconiiisi, Feldcr, W'icn. Entom. Monatsschr. l^-fJS, p. 7^- Heliconia (Latr.), Douljled. ami llewits. Gen. Diurn. Lep. p. 101, and anthors. 1. IIklicokils Syiaaxa, Cranun-. Papilhi Sylvona, Cramer, Pap. Exot. t. .ifil. f. C, D. This species is common throughout tlu^ Amazon region, in company with H. Nv.mdht, JIeli//(ea Egii/a, JLechoiilis Fohimn'ui, and other si)ecies of IIcli('0)iid(P. I have found examples which almost link it to 11. Xnmata; indeed the three forms II. NiDiidhi, II. Sylvana, and II. Eiicoma might be treated as so many varieties of one stock, being in an incomplete state of segregation. 2. IIkliconii.s Ni'MATA, Cramer. PapUhi Niiiiuita, Cram. Pap. Exot. t. 297. f- C, D. This species is so varial)le that it is dilTicult to find two exam))les exactly alike. Cramer's figure represents a fre(|uent aberration, in which the central stripe of the hind winu' is connected by dark lines with the hind border; in the markings of the fore wings, liowever, it exhibits nearly the most common form of the species. It difiers from IF. Si/lruiid in the following points : — 1. The yellow crossbelt of the fore wing lies wholly beyond the cell; the black apical part is much smaller; and there is only one transverse row of spots, which are three in luimber and widely separated. 2. The black spot in the middle of the fore-wing cell is connect(Ml witli a line of tlie same colour, which runs to tlie base. * Syiioiiviuoiis witii our Acni'oid lIclicoiii of [dants ijihabiting the same region, and that Limiicus first used the word in the masculine form, Pupiliones Ilcliconii. \ E 2 n.jl. MR. 11. W. BATES ON THE HELICONIDE LEPIDOPTERA 'A. The black central sti'i[)e ol" the hind wing runs from the middle of the alxlominal edge lo the apex of the wing. I'. Tlie pah; suhniarginal spots of the upper surface arc wanting. It is curious that these points of difference between II. Nnmata and II. Si/hana are almost precisely the same as those which distinguish Ilelbxca Ilneme from M. Egiiui. I judge Irom this that a mimetic resemblance is intended between the Hcl/couii and tlie JlcliiKC'ce — //. NuHKila and 31. 3Ineme, II. SylvaiKt and 31. Eguia, — the llcliconine insecis lj(;ing adapt(>d to the Danaine species. If we tr;ice tlie species or races allied to IL Nuniiitd over the whole of Tro])ical America, we sliall iiud tliat each one mimics a Dana'ine species in its locality ; and I think it probal)le tliat they are all of the same stock as //. Nidiiald. 'Ill us, in Eastern Brazil H. Ethra mimics 3Iech(ni'itis Nescea ; and in the southern parts of the same country, II. Euej'((lr precisely imitates 3Iechanitis Lyslmnin. 1 liave already mentioned tlies(» and other cases occurring in New Granada, Nicaragua, EastiM-n I'eru, and the Upper Amazons : the Hclicoiiii are adapted sometimes to a 3Ie- (■li((iiiH.s, and sometimes to a 3/('l/i/(ra. II. XiiiiKitd varies iu struct lire as well as in colours. The wings are sometimes broader, sometimes narrower ; and their edges are simple in some examples, and festooned in others. The yellow crossbelt is sometimes blended with the ground-colour of the wing; in many exani])les which connect the species with //. Etivoimi it is narrow, and in others very liroad, as reju'csented in Cramer's ligure. 'J'he ciMitral lilack strijie of the hind wing is often ^ery broad, covering i)art of the cell ; at- other times it is very narrow, and passes much behind the cell. Tlie s])ecies is fo\ind abundantly throughout the Amazon region; it occurs in thinned parts of the forest, wliere it is seen sjiorting about by twos and threes in the sunlight, or lloatiiig lazily in the air. The following is a remarkable variety occurring only on th(> npper Amazons. \ ar. //. I. SI t hell I III', fi. J V similar in sliapi; and in the position of the black markings to //. NmiKitd. Pale orange-tawny; in tlie fore wiiit;' the two macular belts, which in Jl. Xnnidlit are distinct and ol' a yellow t'dlour, are blended together and of the same ])al(> orange-tawny hue as the rest of the wing; the nervures, at the point wliere the two bi'Us touch, are margined witli blackish ; the apical part of the wing is black, as usual, and is crossed by a row of i'niir pale sjiots. 'I'wo examples occurred, one at .St. I'aulo, and one (much smaller) at Tunantins. J5. lliil.lGONirs I']! COMA, Jliibncr. luiiidcn Iwicoiiui, niil)n(.T, Ziithijjjp, 1'. 5/7, .'>7S. This species dill'ers from J/. Niinialu in the yellow crossbelt of the fori' wing being narrow and submacular, consist iin;' of four or five nuire or less distinct elongate spots, and also by its bi-ing s(>parated from the cell by a series of black s])ots, more or less joined together in tlu; form of an obli(|ue licit. It is, liowever, extremely variable. At St. I'aulo and otliia- stations on the I'pper Amazons, many exam])les occurred of a very dark OF TIIK AMAZON VALI.KV. 5oO orange-hrown colour, nioro or loss sufl'used witli Ijlack ; one variety is so distinct that it merits a distiiu'tivo name, as follows: — Var. Jl. P,frrt,ni.s. 6. Similar in size and slmpe to //. Xniiinlii and Ehcohki. Fore icinf/ : a /jo re, rich oran^v-browu ; the basal half of the costal margin, a broad stripe on the hind margin, broadest in the middle, :in(l an irregidar border along the outer margin black ; an elongate spot within the cell touchini;' the l)ase, a quadrate spot at the <'nd of the rcll. and two rounded spots, one between the 1st and 2nd, the other between the 2nd mihI ord median branches, also black; beyond the cell is an oldicjue bright-yellow bell, ednsisiinu of live clonu-ate spots, and betwi'en it and the apex is a second yellow licit of four smaller spots: the outer edge of the first l)elt, the ner\ ures beyond it, and an irregular spot around its extremity are l)laek. Jiciicn///, the same. III?//} iri//;f : ofjorc, rich oranu'c-brown ; a stripe along the costa. a broad central one, and a marginal series of very lari;'(> connected an^'ular spots l)lack. Bcucdlli, the same, cxcejjt that there is on the hind margin, towards the anal angle, a series of ten short yellowish-white lines. Body and antenna' as in //. Xi'iikiIh. The rich orange-brown colour of the a])ical part of the wing, divided into spots by the dark lines whicdi accom|)any the nervur(>s, ^ives a distinct ai)pearanee to this form, which, however, in all essential ]ioints is very (dosely allied to //. Enrnui'i . it is found in company with //. Ennyiwi at St. I'aulo. It vciy nuudi I'escmblcs Miliiuea Purdtill-s of the same neighbourhood. 1. IIkliconius An;oiiA. 2. Size and shape of //. X/'n/r'/d. Fare iriiirj: I'ljoiw, clear tawny oran-v ; the basal half of the costa, a broad stripe on the hiiul marnin. toucbini;' theedL^c, but not reacdiiim' the hind ani;h>, an elont^atc spot at the base of tht> cell, a stripe across the end of the cell, from the costa to the outer margin, consisting of two elongate si)ots which meet at th<' hind am^le of the cell, and the iipical fourth of the wing l)lack : in the middle ol the l)lack ajiical portion is an elongate yellow spot, crossed by four m-rvun-s. Uci/cc/lt, the same; margin spotless. Jlli/d wiufj: r'/Oo/v, (dear tawny orange; a subcostal stripe, bent l)cfore the apex towards the u])p(>r radial, and a very large rounded spot occui)ying more than the anal half of tlie wing, black. F>iiH'. This wvy beautiful s])ecies was found only on thi' l)anks of the Ta])ajos, in scattered woods on the campos opposite Aveyros. It is not closely allied to any known species ; as Mr. ITewitson observes, it partakes of the characters of //. Ffn/ll/s (of liio Janeiro) and II. C'//ii/-ii(ji/i(i (of the AVest India Islands), wliich are tlie two extreme forms ol" tlie "■enus. OF THE AMAZON VALLEY. 057 10. IIelicoxits Erato, Linntpus. Papilio Erato, Linn. Mus. Lud. Ulr. 231 (l/fiJ). Amuthnsia, Cram. Pap. Exot. t. 177' f- F. (I""")- Doris, Linn. Mant. 5.5G (1771)) ^'^^- , Cram. Pap. Exot. t. 3,}7. f. C. (1782). Quirina, Cram. I. c. t. fi5. f. A, R. (1779). The two forms, Erato and Doris, oiler a strikiiii;' contrast in their colours, one heini^ red, the other hlue, and were naturally considered two ])erlectly distinct species. 1 thoutrht they were such inysell', until I bred them from precisely siitiilar larv;e, which fed tof^cther in one cluster on the same tree. There arc mak-s and females in about equal numbers of both forms. I did not lind, in the many hundreds of examples which I examined, any intermediate variety ; the sp(>cies, therefore, offers a case of dimorphism of wliich it is difficult to surmise the ])urpose. This case of variation in colour may, however, heli) to explain how the very diversified species of this i^enus have orit^-inated. //. Erato exists in both forms throun'hout tin" delta rci^ion of the .Vmazons, Guiana, and New Granada; but on tlie I'jjper Amazons, at St. Paulo, I found one of them absent, tlie blue one [Doris] only existing" there; it occurred, however, in great numbers. The lai'va has a series of moderately long hisjnd spines on each segment of the body : the head is biful ; in colour it is yellow, with narrow black bands. The chrysalis is smooth, without angles; the liead, however, is pnjlonged to a point. It is suspended freely by the tail. The pupa-state lasts eight days. 11. IIelicoxius ]\[ktuakme, Erichson. Heliconja Metharmc, Erichson in Scliomburi^k's Rcisu in Brit, (iuiana, p. 59J. This species has very much the ajjpearance of //. Erato (var. Doris), l)ut it wants the ])atch of l)lue at the base of the hind wings above; it has, on the other hand, a series of short bluish lines near the hiiul margin, which are absent in //. Erato. It was rather a common insect at Ega and St. Paulo, but did not occur at all on the Lower Amazons. The species is found only in tiic interior of the forest, Hying slowly, and delightini;- to settle on the scarlet blossoms of a climbing-plant; whilst II. Erato is seen oidy on the skirts of the woods and in damp waste places. 12. JlKLicoNrts MKLro.MKXK, Linna)us. I'npilio Milpoinenr, Linn. Sy.st. Nat. ii. 7'>'^. n- 7L , Cramer, Pap. Exot. t. lUl. f. C. Found only in the middh; ])art of the Lower Amazon rc-uion, at (Jbydos and Santar(Ma, where the di'v, hilly country of (iuiana from the north, and that of interior Brazil from the south, reach the banks of Ihe river. The soil in this ])art of tlu' banks of the .\nia- zons is linht and sandy; the dry and wet seasons are more strongly contrasted, and the forests thinner, than in the rest of the river valley. The species also occurs throuyhout Guiana, Venezuela, and in New Granada. It is (piite absent, however, from the humid forests of the Amazons, Ijoth to tiie cast and to the west of the places above mentioned. 558 MR. II. W. BATES ON THE IIELICONIDE LEPIDOPTERA An allied spocio.s, H. TlieLviopf of Iliibner, exists there in its stead, having very similar habits, and filling, as it were, the same sphere in the economy of nature. These two I'orms {U. Melpomcuc and H. Thclxiope) have all the appearance of two thoroughly distinct species ; but they are connected together by an unbroken series of varieties, tlic principal of which occur, not in the places where the tAvo species come in contact, hut in two isolated limited areas — at Serpa (west of Obydos) and on the banks of the Tapaios (near Aveyros). Tliese connecting links cannot be the hybrid progeny of two originallv distinct species, on account of their geographical position; many of them (and otiiers not met with on the Amazons) occur also in Surinam and Cayenne, where //. Tlii'l.rioix' has not l)een found. I believe there can be no doubt that //. TheLviope is descended from IL. Ilelpoiitene, and that the intermediate varieties are remnants of the ste])s ol' modification. The following are the principal intermediate varieties; they are all very scarce, whilst the species they connect exist in great profusion : — Var. 1. II. Cnlh/ropis, Cramer, Pap. Exot. t. 100. f. E, F. Same as H. Jlfilpomow, except that the I'ed belt of the fore wing is I'ither very l)road and irregular, or is lu'oken into a nunTl)er of various-sized spots. Surinam and Obydos, Lower Amazons, in company with II. Bli'lpumenc. Var. 2. H. Elunaia, Erichson, in Schomburgk, Reise in Brit. Guiana, ]). 595. The same as C(i/f,'/cop/s, except that, in addition to the irregularity of the red belt, the basal part of lh(> fore wing has a large red patch. Obydos, in company with //. Jirolponiciii'. \ar. 8. //. Liic'ia, Cramer, I'ap. Exot. t. ;550. f. E, F. Same as //. 3Iclpomcnc, except that tlie red crossbelt of the fore wing is narrow and curved outwards, and that there is a large (puulrate yellow s))ot within the end ol' the cell. This is tlic commencement of the chain of variations which leads to //. Tht'Lv'iope. The H. Liicitt of Cramer was found at Surinam. I have ^Vmazonian examples, taken at Serjki and on the Tapajos, which dill'er in the yellow spot of the cell being scarcely |)('rcc|)tible. \'ar. \. The same as //. Li(cia,vxvv\)\ that the base of the fore wings has a larger red spot, and that the base of the hiiul wing is also red. St-rpa, Lower Amazons ; banks of the Tapajos, near Aveyros ; Cayenne. \ai-. 5. H. Enjtlu;riia, Cramer, 1. c. t. 297. f. A. Surinam. OF THE AMAZON VALLEV. 559 Var. 7. H. rdalrica, Cramer, I.e. t. 207. 1". B. " Para" (Cramer). Taken prol)al)ly somewiiere on tlie banks of the ijowcr Amazons, as no trace of any of these forms exists at I'ara. These tlirce varieties (5-7) seem to be intermediate between II. Melpomene and //. Vesta. I once took a 5 Enjthned in copula \\\W\ a c? Meliunnene. II. T'esln wouhl appear, from this, to be descended from the same stock as IF. Thehviojie. It lias, liowrvcr, rcec(l<'d, as a form, further from the common parent than //. T/ie/.riope, and has ac(iuircd a much wider rani^^c. Var. 8. H. Tyche, nol). Fore winif as in var. '1, viz., black, with the basal third and a broad belt across the middle rosy rcnl, lea\'intj a narrow black intermediate space. Tiie liind wing above and beneath is precisely as in II. ThcLci(q)e. Tak(m at Serpa. Var. 9. //. lIip/)o/>/fe, nol). Fore wini,' l)lack; the basal fourth and a narrow oblicted out of the many that arose in the species on its descending into moist areas, as being belter adajited to the humid forests of the Amazon plains than the parent form. It varies nmch in the slia|)e and position of the yellow spots of the fore wing, but the most general form is that figured by Ili'ibner. 'i'he followiiiii- are the more ini|)ortant varieties. Var. 1. 11. A;/l(iope, Feldcr, "Wiener Kntomologisch(> ^Monatsschrift, 18(52, p. 71). Differs from 77. Thelxiope, lliibner, in having simjily a narrow, oblicpie, slit,'litlv curved, ycUow macular belt, consisting of seven spots, which crosses the fore wing considerabh- bcTond the cell. VOL. XXIII. 1 |. 560 MR. H. W. BATES ON THE HELICONIDE LEPIDOPTERA Para, and north coast of the isLand of Marajo. Ur. Fckler describes it as a species, from specimens received from the Upper llio Negro. Var. 2. H. Vlcuuis, Menctrics, Cat. d. 1. Coll. de I'Ac. Imp. de St. P(:''tersbourg, p. 114. In this variety the yeUow macular belt is placed close to the end of the cell ; the spots are much elongated, and form, with the yellow spot within the end of the cell, a large compact macular patch. Para and Upper Amazons. Neither of these varieties shows a tendency to become local, or separate itself from the parent form. 11. IIkliconius Esthella. S 9 . Size, shape, and colour of //. Thelxlope : markings of the hind wing nearly the same as in 11. Vesta. Fore iv/iir/ : above, black, the basal third reddisli carmine ; the nervures bordered with black ; a narrow macular belt, consisting of six light yellow spots, crosses the wing much beyond the end of the cell, nearly reaching the 2nd median branch. Bencaili, the same, except that the red at the Ijase of the wing is scarcely shown. llliid loliig : above, black ; the centre of the cell and six narrow streaks radiating from the base, and running between the nervures, but not reaching the margin, reddish carmine ; the second streak from the abdominal edge has a black mark near the base. Beneath, the same, except that the cell has simply two red streaks, that there is a round red spot l)ctwceu the median and abdominal nervures, and that the costa is yellow at the b.ase. Body dilferently marked from II. Thelxlope, the thorax being Ijlack, with six distinct rounded yellowish spots and two transverse lines beliind. This form seems to be intermediate between U. Melpoiiiei/c and //. Testa. It agrees with the latter in the design of tlu; hind Avings, but the shape and colour of the wings are different from it. In U. T\'sla the shade of red is always inclLniug to orange, whilst in II. EstrcUa it is of the same crimson tint as in II. Ilelpojiicne and Thelviope. This is most perceptible in living sjiecimens. I look upon //. Estrella as a race, or a variety tending to Ijecome a race, equivalent to H. Thel.viupe and II. Vesta, and to have segregated from the common stock, independently of the other forms. I met with it only in the I)(>lta lands of the Amazons ; at Para ; and on tlie northern coast of the island of Maraj6. 15. IIkucoxius Vesta, Cramei'. I'upUio Vt'sla, Cniiii. Paj). Kxot. t. 11!). f. A. This species is very al)undant, and widely distrilmted, lieing found at Surinam ; CayeiuK^ ; along tlie Avhole course of the Amazons, up to the Andes ; in Bolivia, and at Cuenca, io tlie west of tli(> CordiHera. It is further removed than II. Thelxlope from II. 31elpoiiieiie, differing from l)oth in colour and in the .shape of the liind wings, their outer margin l)cing less rounded : llu; yellow marks of the thorax are the same as those of //. E--ilrella. The yeUow spots of the fore wing vaiy hi the same way as in 7/. Thelx'iojH'. OF Tin: AMAZON VALLKY. 561 The area of distriliution of //. Vcsla embraces tlic lesser areas of 77. .Ifclpoinrnc and //. Thdxiojx'. As iutcnuediate forms connect it uitli //. J/dpf/nictic, llicrc can be no doubt that it is descended from the same stock as tliat species; l)ut havinu' diveru'ed more widely, it is not readily seen to be a modilication of it, like //. T/w/j-io/x'. It may be the oldest-created of this cluster of imperfectly seg-reyated species. 10. IIelicoxius BiRXKYi, lliiluier. Mir/o)iitis Burneyi, Iliibn. Ziitr;ii;:e, f. -101, 102. This fine, laruc, vol)ust sp(>cies belong's to the same n'rouj) as //. Jlclpomri/e, Sec. It seems to be coniined, like //. TlicLriojx-, to the for(>st plains of the Amazons ; it is not, however, a common insect, but is restricted to certain localities. Its stront,', bold ilight distinijuishes it from all ot lu-r species of Ilellcoitlii-s, when on the winL,^ M any individuals of ])oth sexes have the hind winijjs black, cxce[)t a patch of red at the base. 17. llKLicoNiis Egkkia, Cramer. FfipUio Kf/cria, Cram. Pap. E\ot. t. .51. 1'. 1?, C. This resembles much //. Jiiii'iiciji in size and gcMieral apjicarance ; it seems, however, to be a perfectly distinct species, recoL;nizablc by the glossy light-l)rown hue with jjaler streaks l)etween the nervures, of the under surface of the wings. The hind wing l)eneath has a red streak near the abdominal edge, and there is a yellow spot on the costa at the base. It is a rar(^ species : I took it at I'ara : it is found also at Cayenne, where //. Buriiciii ai)pears not to occur. ^ly specimens dilfer from the one figured by Cramer, in the design of the upper surface of the hind wing-, the red colour of the basal half being continued in a series of eij^ht short, wedge-shaped streaks into the broad, l)lack marginal half of th(> wing. IS. IIkmconhs A(i;i)i;, lliibner. Mv/onilis Awdf, Iliihii. Ziitriigc, f. 12!), 1.50. Hc/irortiii AstijiUauiu, Krichsoii in Sc-Iioiiiburgk's Rcisc in Brit, finian. p. .OOrj (aberration). The antennae in this species are much shortei' than in the Ifclicoi/ii generally, and more thickly clavate. It a])|)ears to be coullned to the Amazon region and (luiana. In (iuiana (Denu'rara and Cayenne) a sjjecies is found* which closely resem])les it in shape and colours, but dilTers in having slender antenna', like the typical IL'liroiiii. * HkI.KONIIS \ ANTIIOC r.KS, U.S. c? . .'5" 2'". Fore iriiu/ : uhort', black ; the basal third clear oranjro-rcd ; a large (iiiadratc spot witbiii the cell at the end, and a bill of seven larj^e spots close after the end of the cell, clear yellow ; near the apex is a small oblont; yellow spot, crossed Ijy three nervures. Itencolh, the same. Hind win;/ very broad, nearly circnlar : ahorr, black, with tuo short red streaks at the base, liiumlh, the same, except that there is a small yellow spot at the l)ase of the costa, and four small red s])ots between the nervnres at tbeir origin. Body black; head with a few white marks; mesothorax with four small spots in front, in a transverse litw, and two large ones in the middle, yellow. Scutellnm and two spots on the metathorax also yellow. The abdonuMi has a series of narrow yellow bands, the tip of each segment being edged with yellow. Antennic long and slender, black. Dcinerara ; Cayeinie. I I- 2 562 MR. H. W. BATES ON THE HELICONIDE LEPIDOPTERA n. Asti/ddmid of Ericlison differs from the type in wanting the radiating lines of the hind wing. We have already seen that this is a common form of aberration in the Ileliconii of this group. 19. Helicon lus Ricixi, Linnneus. Papilio Rlcini, Linn. Syst. Nat. ii. 756. G-i. , Cramer, Pap. Exot. t. 37^. f. A, B. A common and well-known species. It appears to be distriljuted througliout the whole of the northern part of tropical America. It differs in habits from the other species of the genus, inasmuch as it frequents the skirts of woods, semiciiltivated grounds, and gardens. Its antcnnte are short, and strongly clavate : in this feature, as well, indeed, as in size, shape, and habits, it approaches the genus Euekles. Genus Eueides, IJoubleday. Donbled. & Ilewits. Gen. Diurn. Lepid. p. 115. 1. Eueides I.sabella, Cramer. Papilio Isabella, Cram. Pap. Exot. t. .350. f. C, D. Papilio Isabella Nereis fulva Dianasa, Iliibn. Samml. Exot. Schm. (sliglit var.). This is a common and abundant species throughout the Amazon region It does not inhal)it the forest, but frequents open bushy places on the skirts of woods, flying in the usual sailing manner of the Helicoiiii. Lilvc the species oi Helicon idee which have the same style of coloration {Htdiconins Niimata, Mefdniuitis Foli/miiia, &c.), it is a variable insect on the Upper Amazons, although constant in its specific characters at Para. H. Dianasa of Iluljucr is a slight variety. 2. Eueides IIubneiu, Menctries. Eueides Hidmeri, Mcnct. Cat. d. 1. Coll. de I'Ac. Imp. de St. Petersburg, p. IIG, pi. S. f. 5. Ijga, rare. Although very closely allied to En. IsabrUa, this is a well-marked form, which prol)ably maintains itself distinct from that species. It differs somewhat in the shape of the wings; the pale central crossbelt is divided into separate spots; the antenna^ are black, with the club pale beneath. It is an approximation towards Ek. Cleohd'a (llubn.) of ]\[exico. .'5. Eueides La.mi'kto, n. s. + o". lu>r(' loing broader, the costa more arched than in En. Isabella : above, orange- inwiiy ; a small portion at the apex, a narrow outer margin, and a broad stripe near the hind margin, extending from tin; base to near tlu^ hind angle, black; there are also four black spots on the disk, viz. a largo wedge-sliapcd spot within the cell near the base, a small o]io over the disco-cellulars, a large rounded f)ne between the 2nd and 3rd, and an indistinct one 1)etweon the 1st and 2n(l median branches; close to the apex ai'c two uliitisb spols. licncalli, the same, ('\(r[)t that there are three white apical spots. Hind u'iiKj : i-'/O'^r^', orange-tawny ; a line along tli(! basal half of the subcostal norvure, a broad central stripe of six elongate spols behind the cell, and a broad liind border OF THE AMAZON' VALI,F,Y. 563 black; a siiliniarginal vow of whitish spots, interrupted in tlie middle. Bcncnth, X\w same, except that the costal nervure is also l)laek, and the sul)marginal spots are larLjer and of a clearer white, there heini^ two l)et\veeii each nervure, I'xcept near the aj)ex. Avhere there is oidy one, instead of two. IJody brown ; antennte yelloAv, except the twtri-nie l)ase, which is black ; forehead and two spots on tl\(> crown white; mc^sothorax with four lari^i^ rounded orau^-e-tawny 'ti)nes with an oehreous spot on the costa, half- way bctweiMi the cell and the a[)ex ; the black I)order of the hind wing is ill defined, shading olf gradually into the ground-cid-nn- of the wing. [ met with this sp(>eies on the Tapajos and Tp])er Amazons. It is found within the forest, fiying- about the to])s of low trees in sunny oj)enings. It has no near ally in the Amazon region, to my knowledge. 5. EiEiDKs Lybia, Fabricius. PapUio Lijina. F;ib. Syst. Ent. p. IGO, n. 7'5. Hypsipilc, Cramer, Pap. E\ot. t. 177. <• ('. D. A very common species throughout the country. It Hies in open sunny places on the skirts of the forest, or in semicultivatcd grounds. The caterpillar resembles in all essential jjoints those of Ili'l/coui/'-s Erulo aiul the sjjecies of JrgijiniiN. P^ach abdominal segment is furnished with a row of ratlier long liispiA spines ; the head has two similar spines, longer than those of the abdcnnen ; the colour is pale red ; the spiiu's I)lack. The chrysalis is angular, aiul s])inose on its dorsal surface!. Tlu> ])upa state lasts eight days. 0. Eri:iDi;s Tiiales, Cramer. Painlio Thali'S, Cram. Pap. Pxot. t. .^s. f. C, D. Eueides Thalcs, Hew it.soii, Journal of lMitoini)lorry, i. pi. lo. t'. .5 (var.). A common and generally-distributed species in e(pui1orial America. Ft closely resem- bles Hi>1icoii'nis Veslii, in company with which it is frequently found. 7. Eteidks JvvxKs, ilewitson. Eueides Eanci. Ilfx^its. .lourii. of F.iitom. 1. pi. 10. t". 1. This species also closely resemldes Ih'Hconuis T'c.sln. It is found only on the I'jipcr Amazons, at St. Paulo, flying over bushes on the skirts of the ibrest. 561. MR. 11. W. IJATKS ON THE HELICONIDE LEPIDOI'TERA 8. EuEiDES Alii'IIIcjia, (jodai't. H///ti/io A/ijj/icr/i, (Jodt. lOiicycloiK'dit; Metliodiquf, t. i\. [). 21(). A widely distrihiitcid si)ccics, being found over nearly the whole of tropical America. It seems to be constant throughout. I met with it at St. Paulo. Sul)fa,mily AClUilN^. (Jeiius AciL'EA, Fabricius. 1. AciLKA TuAiiiA, Linna-us. Pajji/ifj TIkiUu, Linn. Syst. Nat. ii. 7-''7> "■ ('>! ■ , Cramer, Paj). Kxot. t. 21(1. f. A. T took (at Tani) only one individual of this soh' species of yicnca found in the Amazon region. hh\Pi;ANATION OF Till-: I'LATES. Till' Plalo.-s arc dcnitrnod to show a few e.\ani[)les out of a jrriat niinilur of iniinctic analo;;ies Ijctwceii \arious Lepidopterous insects and the lleiiconid.e. Tiie insects lifi'ured lielonj;- to four families, very widely dissimilar in sirnetnre and metamorphosis: Lcjilalis (lam. I'leridu'), l)io/j/is (Bombycidie, Moths), S/ii/ttch/is (fam. Kryeinida), Ithoiiiiii, Afrchanitis, Mutlionii (fam. liclieonida'). The figures also illustrate the process of the origination of a mimetic s])ecies through variation and natural .selection, llea.sons have been given (p. .OO 1 el scq.) for considering the S[)ecies of Lcptd/ix and D/o/tfis, amongst others, as having been adajited by this process to the species tA' Slaluc/itis and the genera of llelieonid;e — the colours being brought into exact resend)I,uiee by the .^itrcessive preservation of such naturally arising variations as tended more and more to icsemble. One species only, Lcji/a/ix yV/ewwor, furnishes a good exam])le of the process, it being one which, by a rare chance, shows in its existing varieties the |)ro('ess in ditferent stages of completion. 'i"he figures indicated by a simple numeral re])resent the i/ild/i/cil forms ; those marked a, the sjjccies to which they are adapted. I'l.ATi.; liV. Fig. 1*. /.i///(i/is 'riiraiior (llewitson). — Inhabits C'upari, r..'( ' \\'. long. Fig. 1 (I. llhiiiiiid Flora (Cramer). — Iidiabits Cupari, ^tb" VV. long. ; also the mouth of the Amazons and Surinam. Neither of these forms is found further westward on the Upjier Ama/.ons, where the follo\\ing allied species and varieties alone occur. Fig. '_*. I.i'iildlis T/in/iioi', xnr. Mf/aiioi'. — St. I'aulo, ll])per .\nia/.ons, (il) W. long. Fig. 2(1. Itltuiiiht Uuf(j(i (llewitson). — Upper Amazons, from 5s to ",0" \V. long. * The spceiiiicii of 7/. Tlifdiiw in the Biitisli Aliiscmn ciillcetion, which served Mr. llewitson for his figure of the s|iecios, is \civ iiiiich larger lli.ui the one lij^'uicd in this IMate. IJiit the Lrptii/lih-x arc apt to vary very iiiueli ill size. OF Tin. AMAZON VALLKY. 565 Fig. .3. LeptaViH Tlicoiiov, var. Li/sinui- (llcwitsoii. Dcscrilu-tl by tliis iiullior us ;i tlistliiict upccies. The wliiU" foro part of the hind wing i.s merely a sexual chinacter, and i^, hidden hy (lie (ore wing in tiie natural position of the wing.s). — Kga, Upper ,\nia/.ons, (Ij*^ \V. long. Fig. :Ui. Stularltti.i P/uetliisa, var. Diiralii (I'erty).— Kga, Upper Ania/ons, l','> W. long. The resendilanee hetween these two i.s very great, wiien flying in (heir native woods. 'I'he Li'j)ta/ii is quite unlike any llliomla found in the whole region, and is supposed Id liiivc \n;\\ ailapted to the Ktaldclilin, because its original variations were in the direct ion ol Stitldililm, and tlii.s disguise e(pially well .serveil the |)nrpose of pres \V. lonjr. Fig. 2. LcjiIuUh ThcfjiiOi'-, var. Enjtliroi-.-'Sy. I'auhj. Fig. .!. Lejitaris Tlicomji'-, var. Erijtliroi'-. — St. I'aulo. Fig. .i «. Itli'tinia (Jrutiiiu, var. (Utrijsijdoniu. — St. I'aulo. The linking variations belw{;en L. Eryl/iror- :iit(l 7'/i(0ii>/r can be traced through the \aneties ■S, .'), and C, of the [)receding I'late. The substitution of red fitr while in the fore wings is seen t/f an . \aci rniMMtn analogue in process. Fig. 1. Lijjtulit I'ltfonoi', var. Leucoiioi'. — St. I'aulo. Fig. Au. ItliOiiua lli'rdiaa (Ilewitsonj. — St. I'aulo. This Li-iilaita ajipears at (irst sight an abscjlutely (Ji>tincl s|)i.cjis. but il |^ plainly a iimdilica- OOG MR. H. W. HATKS ON THE AMAZON-VALLEY HELICONIDE LEPIDOITERA. tioii whose adaptation is complete. As to the fore wings, the vaciihiting nature of the colours is seen in figs. 4, 6, and 8 of Plate LV. in the clearest manner. The hind wings appear very peculiar, on account of the milky colour ; hut this is sliown to arise by variation in Ithomue, which exhibit all the grades of variation from dusky to white nervurcs atid ground of the hind win"-. Fig. 5. Leptulis Nehemia (of authors). — New Granada and S. Brazil. Figured to show the normal form of the family {Pieridw, called in England " Garden White" Butterflies) to which Lcptulis l)elongs. The contrast in form and colours ])oints to the conclu- sion that all the other forms of Lcptalis are perverted from the usual facies of the family by long- continued process of adaptation to the lleliconidic, in whose com[)any (each species with its Heliconian model) they are solely found. Fig. f). LcptalLs Theonoc, var. Art/ucliloc. — 8t. Paulo. Fig. (i«. Uhoiuia F//v/iw/« (llewits.). — St. Paulo. The links of modification may be traced also with respect to this apparently distinct Lcptalin. The shape of the spot of the fore wing is seen to be very variable in figs. 1, 2, .5 of this Plate, and in 'J and 4 of Plate LV. Fig. 7- Lcjital'us Aiiipluimc, var. E(jncnii. — Ega. Fig. 7"- Mcc/iuniJis I'olymnlii, var. Ei/ui-nsis. — ICga. Fig. H. Lcp/alls Orise (Boisduval). — Cupari, CtC/' VV. long. ; also (Cayenne. Fig. S«. Methona I'sidii (LinnaMis). — Cuj)ari ; also Cayenne. EKUATUM. .\X |i. U\'.>, iiftcr the characters of Family 2. I'ai'ii.iomi) i., insert Siihfam. 1. Paimlionin.i;. Siild'ain. '1. I'lKKiN.i:. \ > \ / ■V /- \ / f \ ^ qQL Bates, Henry Walter. 554 Contributions to an in- A1B3 sect fauna of the Amazon Ent. Valley : Lepidoptera : Heliconidae. ISSUED TO qOL 554 A1B3 Ent. ■■tmm SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION LIBRARIES 3 '^Dfia DD33mflM b nhent qQL554 A1B3 Contributions to an insect tauna ot the m